MG===minister of the gospel, minister of God, is close enough :-) !! Eld probably does stand Elder. Many churches have persons designated Elder---Quakers do, I think?? So do many others. At 08:25 PM 11/10/00 -0800, you wrote: >Posted on: Edgar Co., IL Queries >Reply Here: http://cgi.rootsweb.com/~genbbs/genbbs.cgi/USA/Il/Edgar/418 > >Surname: Prall, Thompson >------------------------- > >Cornelius Prall & Amelia Thompson's marriage occurs in Edgar Co. in 1858 >per the Register of Marriages, p. 23. Under "By Whom Certified" the name >given appears to be Eld. E. Pinnell. Does anyone recognize this name or >know why an elder is doing the certifying? What church would this be? All >the other entries are followed by J.P. or M.G. which I take to mean Justice >of the Peace and Minister of God.