There are many resources available for those who engage in family history. They range from your home to international sources. To get started these are a few guides available.
Websites (Theses sites are free to visit.)
FamilySearch: Family History for Beginners
National Genealogical Society: How to Build a Family Tree: Tracing Your Ancestors
National Archives: How to Begin Genealogical Research
Books
"Unpuzzling Your Past: The Best-Selling Basic Guide to Genealogy" by Emily Anne Croom
"Genealogy for Dummies" by Matthew L. Helm and April Leigh Helm
"The Family Tree Toolkit: A Comprehensive Guide to Uncovering Your Ancestry and Researching Genealogy" by Kenyatta D. Berry
Videos
How to Start Your Genealogy – 10 Steps for Beginners
Back to the Basics: Genealogy 101
Unravel Your Family's History: A Beginner's Guide to Genealogy
Ford County Courthouse
200 W State St
Paxton, IL 60957
Phone: 217-379-9420
Circuit Clerk, Room 106
Court Records: From 1859
Probate Records: From 1850
County Clerk, Room 101
(Statewide registration for Birth and Death Records began 1916)
Birth Records: From 1878
Marriage Records: From 1859
Death Records: From 1878
Land Records: From 1859
Cemeteries
A list of cemeteries and locations can be found on the Cemeteries page of this website.
Churches
Cabery
Cabery Methodist Church
St. Joseph Catholic Church - Closed
Presbyterian Church - Closed
Clarence
Presbyterian Church - Closed
Methodist Episcopal Church - Closed
Mount Olivet Church (Brick Church) - Closed
Point Pleasant Church (Button Township) - Closed
Swedish Lutheran Church - Closed
Elliott
Gibson City
Gibson City Bible Church
First Presbyterian Church
Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church: A central Catholic congregation in the area.
Gibson City Church of Christ: An independent congregation.
Gibson City Pentecostal Church.
Pillar & Ground Independent Baptist Church.
Kempton
Melvin
Piper City
Roberts
Paxton
Paxton Church of Christ
Church of the Nazarene
Vineyard Church
Full Gospel Christian Fellowship
First (Swedish) Lutheran Church
Federated United Methodist Church - Closed
Westminster Presbyterian Church
First Baptist Church
(Swedish) Evangelical Covenant Church
First United Methodist Church
St. Mary's Catholic Church
Community Christian Chapel
Sibley