I had information that my 3rd Great Grandfather had passed away in St. Cloud, Florida. I emailed the Historical Society there and they provided information on a George W. Smith who had indeed died and was buried with a Civil War headstone! The birth year is the same and the State of birth! In looking on the USGenWeb Project Illinois page and at the Civil War muster rolls I found a George W. Smith who had volunteered from Marian County in Aug of 1864, 146th Infantry Company D. My problem is I am puzzled as to why he isn't in his "home" County of Carroll. I guess he could've been living and working in Salem, Marian County where he lists his residence. I wondered if this was a common practice-would they go to another county to enlist? His father had been killed in a battle less than a year before. In Aug of 1864 he would have been 18. The name is so common I hesitate to celibrate that I've found him! The birth dates are not the same either-just the birth years, although mine is from probate records of his father's and the other is from his burial records. The probate ones could be wrong. Is there any other information concerning Civil War records to tell if this is my George? I have sent away for a death certificate but I may not recognize any names as there was an early divorce. My next step after the death certificate would be to send off for pension papers from the National Archives-that takes sooooo long. I hope I can wait that long to find out if this is my George!