My ancestors were ~not~ Irish, but they were long-time residents in Galena. At one point they all up and moved to St. Paul for a short period, then moved back. I am thinking this was in the 1860s. My family files won't open and I don't have time to find my back up copy. My ggg-grandfather was not in the civil war, but his son Alfred B. Foster was. I believe it was Alfred that opened a store in St. Paul for a short period. He was in the 96th Inf. Company I. After going back to Galena, my 3g-grandfather, John W. Foster, moved to Alamakee Co., Iowa, and his son moved to Clay Center, KS. I would think there would be some migration-pattern records somewhere. Jolynne I don't know what the Minnesota appeal is...I live in MN and the mosquitoes are terrible and the winters are fierce. lol ----- Original Message ----- From: Deb To: ILJODAVI-L@rootsweb.com Sent: Saturday, April 09, 2005 9:53 AM Subject: [ILJODAVI] FW: {not a subscriber} Rockford, Galena Visit -----Original Message----- From: Pierce-Ryan [mailto:koala824@comcast.net] Sent: Friday, April 08, 2005 8:38 PM To: ILJODAV message; Winnebago Msg Subject: {not a subscriber} Rockford, Galena Visit I hope to visit the Rockford-Galena area in late May to do some genealogy research. My focus is on Irish families who came for a short time in the 1850s, then moved on to Minnesota. Surnames are O'Hara, Langan, Mulroy, Connoly, Newcomb. I would welcome any suggestions as to good resources - libraries, historical societies, old newspapers, local records and histories, etc. I will probably spend a night there, so any hints about lodging would also be helpful. Thanks in advance. Ted ============================== Jumpstart your genealogy with OneWorldTree. Search not only for ancestors, but entire generations. Learn more: http://www.ancestry.com/s13972/rd.ashx