Fellow Researchers, In the November 2009 issue of *Family Tree Magazine* David Fryxell published the article, "The Usual Suspects," about family members who were felons or who had a criminal past. He wrote: "In some states the department of corrections holds onto historical records. The Illinois Department of Corrections will search convict kin for no charge. Go to the department's web site www.idoc.state.il.us and click on IDOC Webmaster to bring up an email form where you can fill in as much as you know about your ancestor." Last Tuesday I submitted an email for someone barely related, but I know of a descendant who is researching the family. That was last Tuesday. Today I received two documents by snail mail from the IL Department of Corrections for both times this man was convicted. The documents include name, number, institution, county, crime, term, date sentenced, date received, date paroled, date discharged. The service was exceptionally prompt. This man received 1 to 20 years for a 1921 burglary in Cook County which he served in Joliet, and he was paroled after serving just over two years. Then he received 21 years for a 1938 murder in Cook County which he served in Pontiac. He was paroled in 1949 after serving over 10 years. He died 8 months later, so perhaps his health was the reason for his parole. Just in case you missed the article and have someone in your family. The search and the documents are free. The IDOC webmaster link is at the very bottom of the web page. Joseph Martin Romeoville, Illinois -- "Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does!"