In a message dated 98-08-05 17:45:58 EDT, you write: > 1 John Charles GYGER 1836-1916 Cyndi, I think the first thing you need to do is to request a search for a death certificate for John Charles to try to learn who his parents are. If he died in 1916 in Illinois (which I am asuming to be the case) then a death certificate should be available for him. Write to Illinois Department of Health, Division of Vital Records, 604 W. Jefferson St., springfield, IL 62702. The state charges $10 for a search of the index and that charge includes one copy of the certificate. If you think he may have died prior to 1916 some local records are available by writing to the County Clerk's Office. Joan