KANKAKEE COUNTY, IL HISTORY AND LOOKUP

County History Books

American Aerial County History Series: Kankakee County by John Drury (1954) – 536 Pages
Source: Internet Archive
Book ID: CH.2025.09.22.1740.AR

Kankakee County, Illinois: A Genealogical Overview

Located in the heart of northeastern Illinois, Kankakee County is a region defined by the winding Kankakee River and its rich agricultural prairie lands. Situated just south of the Chicago metropolitan area, its history is a blend of Native American heritage, pioneer settlement, significant French-Canadian influence, and industrial growth fueled by the railroad. For genealogists, the county offers a fascinating study of Midwestern development.

I. County Formation and Evolution

Understanding Kankakee County’s formation from two parent counties is the most critical first step for locating the correct records for early ancestors in the region.

  • 1853: County Formed: Kankakee County was officially established on February 11, 1853.
  • Parent County: It was created from the southern portion of Will County and the northern portion of Iroquois County. Any records for ancestors living in this area prior to 1853 will be located in the records of either Will or Iroquois county, depending on their specific location.
  • Subsequent County Formations: The boundaries of Kankakee County have remained stable since its creation in 1853.
  • Name Origin: The county is named for the Kankakee River, a major waterway that flows through it. The name is derived from a Potawatomi language term.
  • County Seat History: The city of Kankakee was established as the county seat upon the county’s formation and has remained so ever since.

II. Settlement and Early History

  • Early Inhabitants: The region was the traditional homeland of the Potawatomi Nation, who lived in villages along the Kankakee and Iroquois Rivers. Most were removed from the area following the Treaty of Camp Tippecanoe in 1832.
  • Pioneer Settlement and Economy: The first significant non-native settlement began in the 1830s, led by pioneers from New York and New England. A major wave of French-Canadians began arriving in the 1840s, establishing the distinct community of Bourbonnais. The arrival of the Illinois Central Railroad in 1853 was a massive catalyst, bringing the county seat into existence and spurring rapid growth. The economy was built on the fertile prairie soil for agriculture (corn, soybeans), limestone quarrying, and industries that developed along the river and railroad, including the manufacturing of furniture and farm implements.

III. Genealogical Records and Resources

This section provides practical information for locating ancestral records specific to Kankakee County.

  • Courthouse:
    • Kankakee County Clerk: Located at the Kankakee County Administration Building, 189 E. Court Street, Kankakee, IL 60901. This office is the primary repository for vital records (birth, marriage, death).
    • Kankakee County Circuit Clerk: Located at the Kankakee County Courthouse, 450 E. Court Street, Kankakee, IL 60901. This office holds all court records, including probate (wills and estates), civil, and criminal cases.
    • Kankakee County Recorder of Deeds: Located with the County Clerk, this office holds all land records (deeds, mortgages) from 1853 to the present.
  • Vital Records:
    • Birth and Death Records: Official county registration began in 1877. These records are held by the Kankakee County Clerk.
    • Marriage Records: Marriage records from 1853 to the present are held by the Kankakee County Clerk.
  • Libraries with Genealogy Collections:
    • Kankakee County Historical Society Museum: Located at 801 S. 8th Ave., Kankakee, IL 60901. This is a crucial resource for local family history, photographs, and historical context.
    • Kankakee Public Library: Located at 201 E. Merchant St., Kankakee, IL 60901. The library has a genealogy room with local records on microfilm, city directories, and local history books.
    • French-Canadian/Acadian Genealogists of Illinois: Given the area’s strong French-Canadian heritage, the resources of this society are invaluable for many researchers in the region.
    • Illinois State Archives: (Located in Springfield) The state archives serve as a central repository for many microfilmed county records and other statewide genealogical resources.
  • Bordering Jurisdictions:
    • Will County, IL
    • Grundy County, IL
    • Livingston County, IL
    • Ford County, IL
    • Iroquois County, IL
    • Newton County, IN
    • Lake County, IN

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