I have only found bits and pieces of my Hays family in and around Champaign county in 1800's. My ggrandfather was Rankin Hays, married to Hannah Crance Hays. They are in the 1860 census, shown on a farm with farm hands and some family members. I was sent some info about their son, John C. Hays and the article said Hannah died in 1860 and Rankin in 1864, but gave no place of death or burial. Rankin's brother, Benjamin, his sister, Sarah (Mrs. Laban Blackmore) is said to be buried in the cem. at Sydney along side her son, but she is not listed on the Sidney cem.list that I have, although her son is. Rankin also had a sister,Jane Thompson who lived in Champaign co.---I have visited the library there, but had only a small amount of time to search as we were only passing through. If there are any Hays, Thompson or Blackmore descendants still living there, I would really like to hear from them. thank you, Shirley Taylor