Good Evening, I thought perhaps this might be a good time for me to give a status report on the membership of the list. As of this evening, there are 101 subscribers to ILJERSEY-L and 45 subscribers to ILJERSEY-D, for a total membership of 146, and we are getting new members every day. So, as lists go, our membership numbers are not bad - our only problem is there are very few messages being posted to the list by the list members. Most of the messages coming through are coming as a result of postings to the Rootsweb message board. I think this might be a good time to let the other members of the list know something about our Jersey County connections, what information we are looking for, and what we can offer to the other members of this list in terms of sharing research and/or resources. NOTE - and this is important: I am NOT suggesting what is commonly referred to as a "ROLL CALL" - on a list this large, that would be a real disaster. So, do not put ROLL CALL in the subject line. I am, however, suggesting that we introduce ourselves to the other list members, and post at least one really well thought out inquiry in regard to the research we are doing. This will be much more productive than just sending a list of surnames to the list - and you can send as many different queries as you like. So, if you have posted inquiries to the list, and still don't have the answers you are seeking, post them again. VERY IMPORTANT and helpful to all of us: Please let the list members know if you have resource material you can share and if you are willing to do some "lookups" [be sure to set YOUR guidelines for the information you require in order to do the lookups]. SO. let's get some action going on the list. Remember that this list, or any list, can only be as active as the participation of the members. This can be a very productive list, with lots of helpful information flowing back and forth . . . we just need to get back started. A few helpful hints for posting: *** Subject Lines: Do include your surnames (in Caps) in the subject line. Also include location & dates. Then include them again in the body of your message where you give the full details of your ancestor. If your details are sketchy at this point, then just put what ever you do have; sometimes the most minor of details can often provide the breakthrough. *** Answering: If you able to answer another member's query, then please share that answer with other list members . . . UNLESS, the reply is very specifically directed to the poster [such as, "we have a Bill Smith living next door ... could he be yours?"] If your answer will be of interest to other list members, then please share that with the list. *** Quoting: When responding to a query on the list, by all means quote the original message so that we ALL know what you are talking about. BUT, edit <snip> the original message to just illustrate the part which you have answered. List Mode members, also <snip> the 'tag-lines' from the original post. Best wishes and good luck with your searches. Karima Allison ILJERSEY-L List Administrator

Hi, I'm researching the Pruitt and Bradshaw families along with their allied families in Jersey Co IL. Originally Martin Pruitt came with his family from Washington Co VA to Greene Co TN in early 1790's and then to what is now Madison Co IL in 1806. Some of his family (children and grandchildren) settled in what is now Jersey Co. Most prominently was his son James and his grandson Amos (James' son by his first wife). James and Amos settled in the Ruyle and Fidelity Townships area. James along with his brother Abraham were the two instrumental in catching up around Virden with the Indian who had one of the scalps from the Wood River Massacre. Amos was one of the first county commissioners in Jersey Co. Jonas Bradshaw came from TN and probably settled in the Ruyle and Fidelity Townships area. Other allied family names include Vaughn, Lampkins, Rowden, Gilworth, and Ruyle. Debbi Geer __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Send FREE video emails in Yahoo! Mail! http://promo.yahoo.com/videomail/

Looking for the Michael Crimmins family. According to his father's obit, Michael and family were living in Jerseyville, Jersey County, Il. in 1916. Cannot find him anywhere after 1916. I also do not know how long he lived in Jersey County. He was born in Indiana. His wife may have been Delia Delaney Crimmins. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Eileen>