The following index to the Proof of Death Records of St. Clair County, Illinois was compiled by Bob Buecher from the County Clerk's Office, microfilm copy, Proof of Death, Book A, 1870-1879; and Proof of Death, Book B, 1879-1880; 1882. This abstract was first published in the St. Clair County Genealogical Society Quarterly 20:3, 1997 and is reproduced here with permission of the compiler.

It should be noted that there is only one death listed for 1882. Book A contains 438 pages with 1748 deaths and Book B contains 33 pages with 162 deaths.

In spite of the dates given, there are several deaths recorded which occurred BEFORE 1870. The years, 1870-1880, refer to the time span when these deaths were recorded by the county clerk. It is also important to remember that not all deaths were recorded in this set of records.

Later, and slightly overlapping the end of the 1870s, the county clerk's office began recording death certificates as required by law. Certificates were first issued beginning in 1878. Be sure to check both sets of records if your ancestor died during the 1878 - 1880 period.

Information in this index The following information was copied for this index: name of the deceased, age (in parenthesis), death date, page and affidavit number. Researchers should note that the actual records also give place of death in the county and the name and relationship of the person who reported the death; often it was a relative. Pages and numbers that contain a “B” are found in Book B. The remainder of the entries are found in Book A.

Begin your Proofs of Death search by clicking on the appropriate letters: A - C | D - F | G - J | K - M | N - S | T - Z |

Obtaining document photocopies: A 16 mm microfilm copy of the two Proof of Death Books A and B is located at the Belleville Public Library, under the library code Micro, A. C., R., StC, 929.373, Sa, Reel 105. In addition, the library has acquired photocopies of the original Proof of Death documents which are located in 7 volumes of 3-ring binders titled Proof of Death, Death Certificates and Poor Farm Death Copies 1843-1882, A.C., R. 929.377389 (some Proofs may not be extant). See examples below [not shown on Web site].

The Belleville Public Library-Archives, 121 E. Washington St., Belleville, IL 62220 (phone: 618-234-0441) performs research and will make photocopies upon written request. Their policy is here. Send a stamped, self-addressed envelope with your request when writing the library. The microfilm was a SCCGS project accomplished through the efforts of Rosemary Bechtoldt and Brian Keller. Rosemary, and Ruth Weilbacher Stewart, arranged for the photocopies of the original Proofs through Janice Delaney, County Clerk at the time of the project.

At this writing, the original Proof of Death Record Books as well as the original paper documents are located in the office of the County Clerk of St. Clair County, Illinois at Belleville. The County Clerk charges $10.00 per record; be sure to specify Proof of Death should you order one of these documents through them.