Hello, everyone! I'm a new subscriber, looking for PETERSON families who lived in Coles County about 1877. My husband's great-grandfather John Albert Peterson was born in Mattoon Township about that time (according to his son's birth certificate), and we're still trying to find a birth record for him. (Or death certificate ... or marriage notice .... or ... ) It's quite possible the family relocated to the Chicago area soon after this child was born. Would especially like to find out John Albert Peterson's parents' names and where they came from ... and eventually whether there is any connection to the Samuel Peterson who appears in the 1840 Federal Census of Illinois. John Albert married Goldie Geraldine CLEVER (probably in Chicago) about 1898-1900. Their second child, John Albert Jr., was born in Chicago in 1901; the first child may have been a daughter. We'll be passing through Coles County in a couple of weeks to do some research into this family mystery, and would appreciate hearing from anyone who might be able to offer us suggestions on the best places to go to find basic vital records information. Am looking forward to hearing from you all! Sincerely, Suzan Kaye Mountain Home, AR spkaye@mtnhome.com