I’m told that during the late 1800’s many miners and timber workers as well as farmers living in southwest Virginia and eastern Kentucky went to Wisconsin and Illinois to work. I have been unable to locate my ancestors, FANNIN, who lived in Wayne County, West Virginia 1850-1887. It appears that Silas and family lived on land of his father-in-law, John FERGUSON, Jr. in Butler District, Wayne County, WV. I found out the Silas performed marriages from about 1870 until about 1887, listed as minister in Wayne County Marriages. The 1887 listing is the last date I have for Silas. The earliest date is a listing in the estate of James Brumfield, Lawrence County, KY about 1840. Silas FANNIN was listed on the 1842 Lawrence County Tax List and was probably married 1841 or 1842. He married Mary "Polly" FERGUSON. Children of Silas and Mary (Ferguson) Fannin: Rebecca, b. 1850, (don’t know her married name); Jeremiah, b. 1855; George Washington, b. 1862; Mary Belle, b. 1864; Calista F., b. 1866, and William, b. 1868. I want any information on any family with the FANNIN (FANNON, FANNING) name who came from SW West Virginia or Eastern Kentucky to Illinois late 1880s to 1900. The name I am searching is Silas FANNIN.