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Union County ILGenWeb is a free genealogical site about the history of the county. We hope you find helpful clues for your research of ancestors and relatives of Union county.

Please consider contributing your pieces of Union county family history. YOUR HELP IS NEEDED. Our combined efforts can make this a great site for all who visit!

County Co-Coordinators:
Melissa McCord
Norma Hass

COUNTY FORMATION

Located in the southern portion of Illinois known locally as "Little Egypt," Union County was created on January 2, 1818, the same year Illinois became a state. The original boundries were carved from Johnson County.

Union county was named in honor of a joint revival meeting of the Baptists and Dunkards, called a "union meeting." The county seal depicts the leaders of these two groups shaking hands.

In 1819, a portion was lost to form Alexander County, reducing Union County to its current borders.

The county seat is Jonesboro.