Hi Chris, ON 08/20/2006, Christine Grogan wrote: > Don, > Here is a link to the Illinois Newspaper Project web site: > http://www.library.uiuc.edu/inp/. You can search their database to see > what newspapers are available for Lake County and where they are held. I > don't live near Lake County, but I do know that Fremont Public Library > has a good genealogy room. Maybe someone who is more familiar with the > library might comment. Good suggestion. I'll check it out. Thank you. I am hoping to make a trip down to Lake County shortly, will take a look at the Fremont Puvlic Library at that time. Thank you. > Have you ordered death records from the Lake County Clerk's office? If > not, see http://www.rootsweb.com/~illake/vitrec.htm. Have you located a > probate file for George Reichl? You might find some interesting > information there even if it shed no light on the causes of the deaths. > I had a research problem similar to yours in which my g-g-grandmother's > husband and three of their sons "disappeared" during a seven year > period. I also wondered about a disaster or disease, particularly > cholera given the time period. I eventually found a local history bio of > my g-g-grandmother, written toward the end of her life after she had > remarried and moved to a new state, which provided details on three of > the deaths, including her first husband and oldest son who died of > cholera within three days of each other. You never know what you might > find or where. > Good luck! I have ordered (from FHC) the Lake County vital records. I believe I already checked out the above web site. I doubt there will be a death certificate for them. It was not that common in 1889, outside of large metropolitan areas. As to a probate record, he was a new poor immigrant (not here 15 years yet) -- what would there be in regards to an estate? I will check on probate, but it is very doubtful. I even doubt there will be an obituary -- none of the other children had one up until the next generation. Money was tight and obituaries cost money. My big hope is a brief news article in a local paper, because of father & child both dead so close together. > Chris Regards, Don