DuPage County 421 N. County Farm Road Wheaton, IL 60187-3978 630-682-7037 County clerk has birth and death records from 1879, marriage records from 1839, probate and court records. County Recorder has land records. DuPage County was created 9 Feb 1839 from a section of Cook County. Denise ~~~~~~~~ NEW COOK COUNTY MAIL LIST AVAILABLE ~~~~~~ Check it out! <A HREF="http://www.genexchange.com/il/index.cfm">ILGenExchange</A> http://www.genexchange.com/il/index.cfm <A HREF="http://www.genexchange.com/il/cook/">Cook ILGenExchange</A> http://www.genexchange.com/il/cook/ <A HREF="http://www.genexchange.com/birthregco.cfm?state=il&county=cook">COOK ILGenExchange Birth Registry</A> http://www.genexchange.com/birthregco.cfm?state=il&county=cook <A HREF="http://www.genexchange.com/MailListForm.cfm?cat=IL">IL Mailing List Subscription Form</A> http://www.genexchange.com/MailListForm.cfm?cat=IL <A HREF="http://www.genexchange.com/gesr/archive.cfm">The Exchange Newsletter</A> http://www.genexchange.com/gesr/archive.cfm <A HREF="http://www.onlinegenealogy.com/archive/jan99/on1jan99.htm">January 1999-GenExchange Article</A> http://www.onlinegenealogy.com/archive/jan99/on1jan99.htm (This article tells it all!)

Hi, Could anyone tell me if the County took photographs of taxable properties for their records? If so, how could I obtain copies of these photos? NY used to do this and it is a neat way to get photos of old family business or home properties. Thanks for any help. Bonnie Briggs Brewer researching Wurtz, Zipf, Briggs, Ehinger

Hi, Everyone, I just want to take a moment to thank everyone who has helped with such enthusiasm to make the DuPage County American Local History Network site so interesting! Special thanks to Dyonne Brys for the huge packages of Naperville memorabilia, to Anne who is helping to get consent to transcribe from the Wheaton history, From Tower to Tower, to Jim Bauer who is always looking for goodies, and Beverly Stenger, who has contributed great information on the Stenger Brewery. I have requested consent from the Naperville Sun to republish obits and articles from the paper. At least I have a contact there, now! If anyone has anything pre-dating 1924 it is in the public domain, and can be transcribed without consent. I do need help in transcribing, so if you've got something you'd like to contribute, if you'll transcribe it and cut and paste it to an e-mail, I can paste it to a page more easily than doing it all from scratch. Still hope to get back to the 1857 town histories shortly...I keep getting diverted by more interesting things! What's new this week is a list of Naperville deaths, by Mrs. Emma Scherer Mertz, 1875-1957, contributed by Dyonne Brys. It is especially interesting because of her comments beside many of the names, along with their professions. You can find it at: http://www.usgennet.org/~ahildupa/naperdeaths.htm Again, thanks to everyone for your support! Much more to come! Pat Sabin http://www.usgennet.org/~ahildupa/

Hello DuPage Listers I am looking for information on my greatgrandparents, Charles & Hanna Behnke. They are on the 1880 and 1900 DuPage Co. Census. Does anyone have access to marriage, birth or death records for dates on any of this family? Charles was born in Germany, Jan. 1838, Hanna b. in Germany 1848. Their children were: Edward b. 4-1870 Frank b. 7-4-1872 This is my grandfather, married Katie Schuette Lussie b. 4-1874 or Augusta (?) Martha b. 7-1876 Emma b. 2-1878 Charles b. 10-1881 Manda b. 3-1884 Clara Jane or June b. 1888 Anna b. 1873 is on the 1880 census, but not 1900, did she die between? Any information or help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks Shirley

This site: http://www.usgennet.org/~ahildupa/ has links to many DuPage county resources. ----- Original Message ----- From: Florence Notch <fnotch@wcta.net> To: <ILDUPAGE-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Friday, September 10, 1999 9:17 AM Subject: Re: [ILDUPAGE] Addison Township > Hi Pat, > Thanks for your reply. > I called DuPage Co. clerk office and was told death records starte in years > of1870's. I'm wondering if newspapers are microfilmed for the years 1860-65. > Also what the name of the paper would be for Addison township. Would the > library or history center in the area loan them out? > Thanks > Florence > -----Original Message----- > From: Pat Sabin <psabin@bellsouth.net> > To: ILDUPAGE-L@rootsweb.com <ILDUPAGE-L@rootsweb.com> > Date: Thursday, September 09, 1999 7:32 PM > Subject: Re: [ILDUPAGE] Addison Township > > > >Florence, > > > >I'm not sure about those particular years, but Typhoid came and went > >during that time. There was a big Smallpox epidemic in 1866. > > > >Pat Sabin > >DuPage Co IL A.L.H.N - http://www.usgennet.org/~ahildupa/ > >Florence Notch wrote: > >> > >> Hi > >> Has anyone in your research come across a accident, fire or desease, > that > >> would have wiped out several families some time between 1860--1865 in > >> Addison township, DuPage county. My ggrandfather Charles ( Karl ) NIKLAUS > >> and his brother August, according to census were living with a Rathji > family > >> after 1865. Karl was between 6 and 10 years old and August, 1-5 years. > Their > >> parents no longer are on the census after 1860. > >> I would much appriciate if you have any information. > >> Thank you > >> Florence > > > >

Hi Pat, Thanks for your reply. I called DuPage Co. clerk office and was told death records starte in years of1870's. I'm wondering if newspapers are microfilmed for the years 1860-65. Also what the name of the paper would be for Addison township. Would the library or history center in the area loan them out? Thanks Florence -----Original Message----- From: Pat Sabin <psabin@bellsouth.net> To: ILDUPAGE-L@rootsweb.com <ILDUPAGE-L@rootsweb.com> Date: Thursday, September 09, 1999 7:32 PM Subject: Re: [ILDUPAGE] Addison Township >Florence, > >I'm not sure about those particular years, but Typhoid came and went >during that time. There was a big Smallpox epidemic in 1866. > >Pat Sabin >DuPage Co IL A.L.H.N - http://www.usgennet.org/~ahildupa/ >Florence Notch wrote: >> >> Hi >> Has anyone in your research come across a accident, fire or desease, that >> would have wiped out several families some time between 1860--1865 in >> Addison township, DuPage county. My ggrandfather Charles ( Karl ) NIKLAUS >> and his brother August, according to census were living with a Rathji family >> after 1865. Karl was between 6 and 10 years old and August, 1-5 years. Their >> parents no longer are on the census after 1860. >> I would much appriciate if you have any information. >> Thank you >> Florence >

Have started a Web Page with what info I have recorded as of now.. Please enjoy..appreciate any feed back. http://www.uftree.com/UFT/WebPages/spr3622/ARTHUR/index.htm Sharon Kay Arthur Knapp 4 Loop Road B Superior, MT 59872 spr3622@montana.com

Florence, I'm not sure about those particular years, but Typhoid came and went during that time. There was a big Smallpox epidemic in 1866. Pat Sabin DuPage Co IL A.L.H.N - http://www.usgennet.org/~ahildupa/ Florence Notch wrote: > > Hi > Has anyone in your research come across a accident, fire or desease, that > would have wiped out several families some time between 1860--1865 in > Addison township, DuPage county. My ggrandfather Charles ( Karl ) NIKLAUS > and his brother August, according to census were living with a Rathji family > after 1865. Karl was between 6 and 10 years old and August, 1-5 years. Their > parents no longer are on the census after 1860. > I would much appriciate if you have any information. > Thank you > Florence

Hi Has anyone in your research come across a accident, fire or desease, that would have wiped out several families some time between 1860--1865 in Addison township, DuPage county. My ggrandfather Charles ( Karl ) NIKLAUS and his brother August, according to census were living with a Rathji family after 1865. Karl was between 6 and 10 years old and August, 1-5 years. Their parents no longer are on the census after 1860. I would much appriciate if you have any information. Thank you Florence

For those of you have been following Hannah's diaries, I just started the third installment (and final chapter). It includes the end of the war and a very detailed description of Lincoln's funeral procession. http://www.usgennet.org/~ahildupa/diaries.htm Enjoy! Pat Sabin

Dear "Rooters" Would anyone who has Wheaton High Yearbooks that would cover the years 1973 - 1981please contact me. I would greatly appreciate someone doing a lookup for me. Thanks. Janis Mundy Reno, NV

Anyone have the new DuPage naturlization book? Would you be so kind to lookup NIKLAUS also spelled NICKLAUS I would be most greatful. Thank you Florence

Hi, Everyone, I'll be transcribing for the rest of my life on the DuPage County ALHN site, but I have put all the histories aside for awhile to work on Hannah Ditzler Alspaugh's diaries. If you, like I, have a love of olddiaries and letters, you should read this. It covers such an interesting time in Illinois history and the history of this country. Right now I'm working my way through the 1860s and the Civil War, which includes letters from her brother and sweetheart to their family and friends in Naperville. One was at Gettysburg and the other was with Sherman. (And here I am in Georgia...hmmm). I also will include letters from her sister, Libbie, who went to California on a wagon train. Great stuff! The first section is at: http://www.usgennet.org/~ahildupa/hannahdiary.htm Enjoy, Pat Sabin

Regarding Bartlett Cemetery. There is a cemetery within the city of Bartlett, sometimes called the "downtown" cemetery by the locals. This cemetery is now owned and maintained by the city itself. Specifically the public works department. In hunting for my own ggrandparents, they looked them up on a computer index compiled recently. They then sent a caretaker to help me locate the graves after I could not find them. He took out his rods and located the caskets for me. No stones were ever placed in this case, making it impossible for me to locate without help. I found them to be very helpful.

Dear "Rooters", We are looking for living descendants of my husband's great-uncle, ALLISON BRUCE, who died in Wheaton, IL in January, 1981. We think that at least three of his grandchildren, Marilyn Adkins and her two brothers with same last name (don't know given names) would have graduated from Wheaton High School in the years of 1970 - 1975. We are guessing at their ages, because we aren't certain of the ages of the parents, Ray and Virginia Adkins. Would anyone have yearbooks from Wheaton High in the years of 1970 - 1975? We do know that Virginia Lee Bruce Adkins graduated from Wheaton College in 1952. Would anyone have a Wheaton College yearbook for 1952? We would greatly appreciate your help. We are trying to find living descendants of my husband's great uncle, ALLISON BRUCE. Thank you for your help. Janis Mundy Reno, NV

I'm looking for a needle in a haystack.......better known as a lost ancestor. William Schwemm died in 1883 and I have not been able to locate where he died or is buried. His children' guardianship was processed in Kane County, but they do not have a death certificate. So, now I am trying to hunt down cemeteries....... From the information I do have, his daughter says she was born in Barrington Township, but Bartlett is mentioned in the guardianship papers. I'm told there is Bartlett Cemetery near the golf club. Was this only for members of the Bartlett family? Also, I've been told there was a cemetery called Smyna German Cemetery in Du Page County, does it still exist? Any ideas or help would be appreciated. Pattie

Does anyone know if there are any Year Books for West Chicago High School for the years around 1918? Also there is a history of West Chicago that is available through the West Chicago Historical Museum. Titled " A Brief History of An Old Railroad Twon". It is filled with names, dates of significance to genealogists, descriptions of the physical area and the changes thru the years, and a wealth of historical information. Well researched and great reading!

I went to Kindergarten in Tioga School, Bensenville (1965-1966), 1st grade at Green Street School, Bensenville (1966-1967) and to Oak School in Addison until we moved to Woodstock, McHenry Co. in late 68/ early 69. But our DuPage roots go back even before that. These are our family notes written by Clyde W. Baker. There are errors and some things in these notes are just plain wrong - but I am going to print them just like they are - mistakes and all. I don't want to risk changing something that may turn out to be correct after all. Even all of the notes in parentheses are Clyde's notes. Some of this does not have to do with DuPage County but alot of it has to do with surrounding communities in surrounding counties. The Bakers and Pyes lived primarily in Downers Grove. The Baker's: The Thomas A. Baker's are thought to have been born in the late 1790's. Algernon Sydney Baker born 1818 somewhere near Wilkesbarre, Penn. The son of Thomas A. Baker (wife name not known). Algernon came west sometime in the early 1840's to Wis. Married Sarah Stevens of Stevens Point, Wis. Stevens Point was settled by and named for Sarah Stevens' family. One son Silas Thomas Baker was born of this marriage Aug. 12, 1844. There is no reason given for Silas going to live with his grandparents the Thomas A. Baker's in Penn. at the age of 8 or 10 years. Silas went to school in Penn. and must have got a pretty good education. A story comes down through the family that Silas was a history prof. in a Penn. Univ. The story also has it that he was let out for gambling with the students. (There is no mention of the Univ. or dates). In the early 1860's we find Silas in Ill. on the 3rd day of Aug. in 1862 he enlisted in the northern army. Co. F, 105 Ill. Infantry served three years (we have his discharge papers). A story comes down through the family that Silas was on guard duty at the Ford Theater the night Abraham Lincoln was shot. Grandma Hampton (who became Silas' mother in law upon his third marriage) always said when this was talked about. "If Silas had not been down the alley shooting craps with the other soldiers. Lincoln would be alive today' (meaning her day of course). After his discharge we find Silas in Downers Grove. Working at the carpentry trade.Here he married Alice Pye, the daughter of Austin Pye and Elizabeth Thatcher Pye of Downers Grove. Of this marriage two children were born Cora and Charley. Cora being Aunt Cora Potter (Mrs. Oscar Potter of Downers Grove) Charley being Dad. (also they had a brother Fred died in infancy). Alice Pye Baker died when these two were very young. The grandparents, the Pye's taking them to raise. Austin Pye owned and operated a saw mill in Chicago. Located north of Madison St. and west of the river in the vicinity where the Northwestern R.S. stands today. According to Dad that was all swamp land at that time. Austin bought red and white oak logs from a man named Williams who owned most of the timber around Williams Bay, Wis. the Bay was named for this Williams family. Mother and Dad in 1947 while staying at our house in Lake Geneva drove over to the Bay to look up the Williams family. There was one left. An elderly lady that had never married was living in the old Williams home. This lady kept books for her father but had no records and could remember only that her father shipped logs to someone in Chicago and that the North Western R.R. had not been completed to the Bay. So the logs had to be hauled by team to Lake Geneva and loaded on the R.R. there. Dad told me as he remembered the logs were dumped into the river somewhere around Randolph St. then floated down to the saw mill. Austin Pye died when Aunt Cora and Dad were still very young. Grandma Pye traded the saw mill for a berry farm in Mich. It isn't clear whether Aunt Cora went to Mich. with her or stayed with someone in the Grove. Dad went with her. Grandma Pye sold the berry farm and came back to Downers Grove when Dad had finished the fifth grade in school (that ended his schooling). At the age of 12 or 14 years Dad started to do carpentry work in Downers Grove. Silas Baker his father was working as a carpenter in the Grove at that time. He had re-married a lady by the name of Thresa Bloom. What became of this marriage is not set down anywhere I can find. Silas moved to Batavia, Ill. where he married Attie May Hampton the daughter of Dan & Olive Tubbs Hampton. 2 sons were born of this marriage. Herbert Eugene who died as a baby and Harry Leon. Grandpa and Grandma moved to Anderson, Ind. a few years after their marriage and spent most of their life there. Harry grew to manhood in Anderson and worked as a salesman for a company that manufactured horse carriages and wagons. He married a lady named Ruth who some years ago lived in Texas. Harry and Ruth Baker both died in middle age. Charles A. Baker grew to manhood in Downers Grove. Married Leah Jane Hampton of Turner (West Chicago) in 1892 living there until 1902 when they moved to Morris, Ill. Clyde W. Baker

Hi DuPage listers, ment to do this before vacation. Found that little history of the town of Bonaparte and it mentioned many names thought I would list them in case anyone is interested. Mark and Mary Ann Davis Samuel Davis Mr Brockway Hatch family of Lisle Manly Brown Peter Schultz Stanton's Stables Persus Barny and wife Electa Morton Elizabeth Strong Yackley Librarians have been hiding this little book called Glen Ellyn's Story, they keep the books behind the counter and I had no idea it was there. It does have an index of names and places if anyone is interested. Cidney

Hi, Everyone, A Kane County friend just sent me this link, and I thought it might be of interest. It is the church records, including marriages, baptisms, confirmations, and deaths, or St. Johns Evangelical Lutheran Church of Roselle, DuPage County, IL. http://feefhs.org/ecf/indexecf.html Pat Sabin DuPage County IL ALHN- http://www.usgennet.org/~ahildupa/