Hi Lura, I noticed that you did a look-up in the 1865 IL state census. I wondered if you would be willing to do the same for me? I have located my g-g-grandfather, Simeon HELMS, in the 1870 and 1880 census in Taylorville, Christian County, but I can't locate him in 1860 the federal census for either IL or his place of birth, Ohio. His family would have consisted of an adult male 30 to 40, an female 20 to 30, and two female children under age 10. I would like to see if I can push his residency in IL back another 5 years. Thanks in advance, Marolin

Debbie, Glad to be of help. Your story is very sad but also very interesting. Thanks for sharing with me. Lura Sun city West, Az.

Dear Lura, Thanks for the speedy lookup, you're a great helper. So far I have no idea where these folks came from other than Josiah's son (my gg grandfather, Murray P. HARRIS) was born 1854 in IN. Where in IN I don't know. So I do not know if this J.H. HARRIS is the same. The other children of my Josiah were younger than Murray per a letter that Josiah wrote. You see, Murray married in Jasper Co., IL in Feb. 1870 to Margaret SMITH and they had an infant son born Dec 1870. By March of 1871 Murray had "deserted without provocation" Margaret and infant. Also in March of 1871 Murray found himself in trouble in Phelps Co., MO. Long sad story made short, Murray ended up in the MO State Penitentiary and according to all accounts it was a real raw deal and was eventually granted a Governor's pardon after a letter from Josiah that was written in Pana, Christian Co., IL in 1872, stating that he, Josiah, was very ill, near death (or so he thought) and that he had several small children and a wife that needed for Murray to come home and care for the family. He was to have been released from prison in Aug 1872 but I have no idea if he came home, if Josiah indeed died or what ever became of any of them. I have never found any of them on the census. Meanwhile Margaret's mother insisted she divorce him and it became final in 1873. She then remarried and raised a large family in Jasper County, IL and that is all I know (except that she always carried a torch for Murray, often stating how Murray was sooooo good looking and there was some trouble and he had to go away) Don't I wish I knew what all that was about. I was able to get the info that I do have from divorce records and from the MO State Archives Prisoners' Records which contained a photocopy of two original hand written letters from Josiah to the Governor Brown of MO in 1872 from Pana. I realize that is more than you probably cared to know but now you can see my dilemma:) Thanks for doing what you could to help. Debby

Hi Debbie, I looked for your Josiah Harris in both the 1855 & 1865 state census. this what I found: J. H. Harris with 5 males under 10, 2 males 10-20, 1 male 30-40- 1 female 10-20, 1 female 30-40. this was in the 1855 census, there was no Josiah or J. H. harris in the 1865. Where are your Harris's from? I have a Harris line from Augusta Co. Va. but don't know if any came to Christian Co. or Hope this helps! Lura

Dear Richard, Do you have any additional info on Jonathan C.HARRIS. My ggg grandfather Josiah HARRIS was residing in Pana, Christian Co., IL in 1871 or 1872 time frame also. I am wondering if your Jonathan C. could be a son of my Josiah. I do know that Josiah had several sons and some daughters. The only name I have is for my gg grandfather who was Josiah's son Murray P. HARRIS. They were in briefly in MO beginning in March of 1871, returning sometime thereafter, I don't know just when. Anything you have may help me put this family together. I don't have Josiah's wife's name either. Now you can see how frustrating this is for me:) Debby HARRIS McGREEHAN

--part1_0.6c088db9.25437c82_boundary Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit --part1_0.6c088db9.25437c82_boundary Content-Type: message/rfc822 Content-Disposition: inline Return-path: [email protected] From: [email protected] Full-name: Dmcgreehan Message-ID: <[email protected]> Date: Sat, 23 Oct 1999 16:55:35 EDT Subject: State Census Index 1855 and 1865 lookup request To: [email protected] MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit X-Mailer: AOL 4.0 for Windows 95 sub 26 Dear Listers: Is there anyone that can assist me by checking the index for 1855 and 1865 of the State Census for Christian Co., IL for HARRIS, Josiah? Thanks in advance, Debby Harris McGreehan --part1_0.6c088db9.25437c82_boundary--

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Hi My Great Grandparents were married in Christian County on March 9th, 1871. They are Jonathan C. Harris and Eveline Adams. Do any of you know them. Thanks Richard Randolph [email protected]

Hi all, I've found a G.W. COLCLASURE married to Luella OGLESBY in 1889, Christian Co., IL and am hoping that someone who has access to the 1900 Christian Co., IL Census might be able to help me out and see if they are listed on there. I'm not sure when but this G.W. COLCLASURE died at some point as Luella remarried to a PICKLE in Clay Co., IL. Any help much appreciated! Tricia Colcleasure Carothers [email protected]

Hi Guys : My name is Shirley Brewer and I have been looking for any information on the parents of George W Brewer b 1850 and Nancy Brewer b. 1853 and another brother name unknown. They all were born in TN no proof yet. George W. Brewer died in 1934 in Marion Co. mother was unknown have distant relatives that said her name was Ann or Nancy Ann Alexander. I found her living with the Nancy Brewer above who she married (Tully Emmett, Ferguson) in 1900. Could some one check the census or any other records that would tell me if Ann Alexander was on the 1910 census, of the Ferguson on the census too....They were in Marion Co Odin Twp in 1900....need to find any of these I want to thank you for you help Desperate Shirley Brewer

Hi, I am trying to find a Mrs. John C. Prater, who was born on September 6, 1868 and died on September 1, 1943. I do not have her name only her husband's name. She died in Christian Co., and I think one of her son's was Gail Easley Prater. Need help. Thanks. Sharon [email protected]

Hello All, I would like to communicate with any descendants of William PORTER born 1816 who married Susanna CRIBBS born 1820 or anyone researching this line. I am also trying to find a set of books tilted " Howe's History". My deceased aunt gave this history as the source for my PORTER line. She stated, "These volumes can be found in the Chicago Library- Institute of American Genealogy". It seems to be a historical sketch of those who fought in the Revolutionary War. Any help will be appreciated. Ruth from Idaho, USA ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com

Can anyone know any information on the William Clay Sharp,Sr who had land around Mt. Auburn,Ill. from 1839-1890 and raise his family as show on the census of 1850. William Clay Sharp, Jr. was born in Mt.Auburn and so was his son William Harrison Sharp who moved to Arizona in 1898 after my grandfather Henry Clay Sharp was born in 1897. Any one have information about this family would be appreciated and where to find the information too. Thank George Sharp

Hi, Thanks for the reply. The John Able in Niantic is indeed my John Madison Abell, b. 1839 Washington Co KY. (David) Elias is my great grandfather. His son was Wayne Madison Abel of Blue Mound, d. 1969, my grandfather. Thank you for sending this information! Beth Abel Jones

Hi There was a J.R. Abell, 64, M-W-Physician born in KY. He had a son John B. age 19. Looking at other spellings I did find Niantic, IL July 26, 1870 Dwelling 30 Family 30 Able, J. M. 30, M, W, Farmer born in KY R.V. 36, f, w, hskpr, born in IL Josephine 10 W.C. 8 Carrie 5 Elias 1 Elijah 1 Nellums, Mary 18, f, w, born in IL E. I. 15, f, w, born in IL Penny

I have a copy of the following draft card registrations for WW1 if anyone in Christian Co. is interested or researching this line. Roscoe Anthony Prater b. August 16, 1894, Edinburg lived at 103 E. Park in Taylorville at time of his enlistment. Oscar Prater b. April 21, 1889, Edinburg and lived in Edinburg John Arthmas Prater b. July 14, 1876, Edinburg, married to a Stella Maude lived in Edinburg. Harry Otho Prater b. October 5, 1895, Edinburg, lived in Edinburg. Ellis Prater b. December 2, 1885, lived in Taylorville. Bishop Claude Prather b. August 25, 1883 and lived on 702 West Rich st. Taylorville. He was a brakeman for the CEI RR Co, and listed a Myrtle Grace as his nearest relative. If you need copies just e-mail me at [email protected]

Hi, I am looking for information on the following people: Alexander and Rosella (Abell) Tabler, moved to Christian Co abt 1855 from Marion Co KY. John Madison Abell, moved to Christian Co. abt 1855? married Rebecca Hazlett Nelms 1858 in Christian Co, later left Rebecca and family and moved to Texas, married Una Hammonds, Fort Worth TX 1871-72? William David Abell, in Christian Co abt 1855? to 1870?, then where? John Madison, William David and Rosella are siblings, born in Washington/Marion Co KY to John Abell and Dorothy Bowles. John Madison had six children with Rebecca Hazlett before leaving her. One of these children, David Elias was my great grandfather, his son Wayne Madison of Blue Mound, Macon Co was my grandfather, and his son, Ron Abel of Oreana, Macon Co is my father. Would appreciate any information on these or related Abel/Abells. Beth Abel Jones [email protected]

Descendants of Thomas H. Johnston 1 Thomas H. Johnston b: 1863 .. +Jennie Bryson b: June 04, 1874 ......... 2 Leila Johnston ............. + (?) Anderson ......... 2 Evelyn Johnston ......... 2 Norman Johnston ......... 2 Wesley Johnson ......... 2 Zula Johnston ............. +Miller b: Abt 1880 ......... 2 Henry Johnston ......... 2 John Johnston ......... 2 Katharine Johnston ............. +Preston Bales ......... 2 Verna Johnston b:Feb.21,1895 ............. +John F. Laker A Proud Sponsor of RootsWeb. Jerry Tarvin [email protected] 2nd Year 1013 E. Thompson St. Taylorville, Il 62568-2344 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------- Christian Co. Gen. Soc. P.O. Box 28 Taylorville, Il. 62568 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------

Egghead is selling Ultimate Family Tree Deluxe for $20. With it comes a $20 rebate. Cool. All you pay is a little over $6 for shipping and handling. It's at: <http://www.egghead.com/store/ent/eggs_prod.browse?prod_id=0000078343&sesid= ^bpi!S9341936^cen!Y^ies!DF01^ces!DF01^> Now that I've already ordered and received mine: Who uses it? What are the pros and cons? What do you think of Ultimate Family Tree Deluxe by Palladium Interactive? I'm trying this. I've been using Brother's Keeper for many years. Morgan ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ [email protected] PO Box 20142, New York, NY 10001-0002 Christian County, ILGenWeb http://www.rootsweb.com/~ilchrist/ Grant Parish, LAGenWeb http://www.rootsweb.com/~lagrant/ Rapides Parish, LAGenWeb http://www.rootsweb.com/~larapide/ CALVIT Surname Mailing List owner My personal genealogy http://homepages.rootsweb.com/~morgan/ When someone annoys you, it takes 42 muscles to frown, but it only takes 4 muscles to extend your arm and whack them in the head.

Looking for a Joseph Dunn born December 31, 1858 in England. He was married to a Sarah Rhule/Rule and she was born In Indiana. They had two children, Cora 1889 and John Henry, born February 28, 1892 The 1880 census had him listed in Mt. Auburn Township, residence #262. Trying to find Cora, and Sarah's death dates. or possibly burial place.