Williamson County Illinois Historical Society

The indexes to the Williamson County Circuit Clerk’s Probate Book C covering the years 1840 through 1873 and the County Clerk’s Administrator’s Book A covering the years 1849 through 1860 are now available online. The books are notations on cases that were held in Circuit and County Court for the specific periods noted that were primarily related to probate cases, appointments of administrators to estates, guardianships, dowers and monetary claims to estate cases. Typical estate claims would include mortgages, outstanding notes, guardian expenses, final medical bills, funeral costs, coffins and funeral shrouds, etc. The individual indexes are available through links below and both indexes have been added to our Master Misc. County Records Index file. All of our indexes are available by clicking on the Records Tab at the top of each page. Continue reading →

The museum and library will be closing its doors to the public until further notice due to the Corona Virus. All scheduled events through April are canceled and will be rescheduled at a later date. Sorry for the inconvenience it may cause but most of our patrons are senior.

Brian L. Alvis, guest speaker

The Williamson County Historical Society held its first quarterly meeting on January 26^th, 2020 at 2 P.M. at the society’s museum and library located at 105 S. Van Buren St. in Marion. President, Sam Lattuca, reported recent and ongoing projects to the membership and revealed a number of recently restored historical objects that have now been placed on display at the museum. An historical marker for the Creal Springs turn of the century resort business is planned in March with a date yet to be announced and a military marker placed at the grave of revolutionary war veteran John Ellis will be dedicated in June. Lattuca presented a number of historical artifacts that belong to the museum and some details about their use and origins.

   The speaker for the event was Brian L. Alvis and his photographer wife, Robbie Edwards. Brian and Robbie operate a Mt. Vernon photography business and recently completed publication of a book entitled, “Bootlegger.” The book weaves local Southern Illinois bootlegging history and gang activity into a fictional account inspired by stories based on local lore. Brian and Robbie spent considerable time rounding up musicians, enactors and genuine artifacts from the 1920’s to visually portray the events that unfold in the book.