I was given this information. I hope it is true. Joan, do you know more about this? ISGS and the Secretary of State are working to get the Illinois Marriage index online. The server needs to be upgraded to handle the traffic but everyone is in agreement to proceed. Not sure of the time frame but even if it takes 3-6 months the end result will include even more than is on any of the CD-ROMs. Regarding Deaths there is a major effort underway to approach the Governor about having the Dept of Public Health release the Death Index for posting on the web. Births are one area that will not be addressed on a statewide scale since they are protected for 75 years and in some counties not recorded much before that. Cheryl Rothwell LoganCty@mindspring.com Coordinator, Logan County, ILGenWeb Project http://www.rootsweb.com/~illogan/loindex.htm Logan County mailing list> LOGAN-L-request@rootsweb.com Downing mailing list> DOWNING-L-request@rootsweb.com Harding mailing list> HARDING-L-request@rootsweb.com Downing query board> http://cgi.rootsweb.com/~genbbs/genbbs.cgi/FamilyAssoc/Downing Lucas query board> http://cgi.rootsweb.com/~genbbs/genbbs.cgi/FamilyAssoc/Lucas

It sounds to me like 'Birks Prairie is in Edwards County, not Logan. Big Creek is not in Logan County. Also in 1816 he was NOT in Logan County -- no one was. Cheryl Rothwell LoganCty@mindspring.com Coordinator, Logan County, ILGenWeb Project http://www.rootsweb.com/~illogan/loindex.htm Logan County mailing list> LOGAN-L-request@rootsweb.com Downing mailing list> DOWNING-L-request@rootsweb.com Harding mailing list> HARDING-L-request@rootsweb.com Downing query board> http://cgi.rootsweb.com/~genbbs/genbbs.cgi/FamilyAssoc/Downing Lucas query board> http://cgi.rootsweb.com/~genbbs/genbbs.cgi/FamilyAssoc/Lucas

Cheryl, Let's see, there is one in the History of Edwards, Lawrence, & Wabash Co., IL on pg. 204 or 294 (can't read), first paragraph. "The praire, near this little improvement (refering to the paragraph & Jeremiah Birk (Birks) preceding) is yet know as Birk's Praire. Also, 1825 Census - Edwards Co., IL with additions Early History of Pioneers, Marriages, & Patrons List from 1813-1880 compiled by Elsie R. Swartz 1973 pg. 16, 2nd paragraph "In 1816 a settlement was formed in the southwest part of the county on or near Big Creek, the first of whom was "Captain" Jeremiah BIRK, who came from one of the Southern States, and located in the edge of Big Creek timber, where he erected a small cabin and cleared a patch of land. On this he raised a meager crop of corn but sufficient for the wants of his family. His cabin was on the edge of a praire belt which became known by the name of Birk's Prairie...... " I believe that I have seen it elsewhere, but I don't have the time at the moment to hunt it down. (My son needs my assistance <grin>. Laurie From: ILLOGAN-D-request@rootsweb.com <ILLOGAN-D-request@rootsweb.com> To: ILLOGAN-D@rootsweb.com <ILLOGAN-D@rootsweb.com> Date: Monday, May 17, 1999 1:19 PM Subject: ILLOGAN-D Digest V99 #80

I suggest you post a query on the Logan web page. Do you have a clue as to why a resident of Lincoln would be buried in Bloomington, particularly one who was 'a substantial landowner'? You might post on the McLean web page also. There is a Robert Scarth, farmer, Sec. 20, PO Lincoln, rep. Meth. in the 1878 History. Nothing to indicate he was married or a man of any substance at that time. He lived in East Lincoln Township. Could be the son but then there is no listing for the father. There are quite a few Howsers including a James in East Lincoln Township. I did not find anything in 1893 Atlas -- but I think that listing is selective. The 1873 listings are in no order that I can see so it would be easy enough to miss but I do not find a Scarth. Cheryl Rothwell LoganCty@mindspring.com Coordinator, Logan County, ILGenWeb Project http://www.rootsweb.com/~illogan/loindex.htm Logan County mailing list> LOGAN-L-request@rootsweb.com Downing mailing list> DOWNING-L-request@rootsweb.com Harding mailing list> HARDING-L-request@rootsweb.com Downing query board> http://cgi.rootsweb.com/~genbbs/genbbs.cgi/FamilyAssoc/Downing Lucas query board> http://cgi.rootsweb.com/~genbbs/genbbs.cgi/FamilyAssoc/Lucas

Thank you for your reply. Marge clrothwell@mindspring.com wrote: > San Jose, pronouced San Jose like it sounds rather than the Spanish way, > has been there quite awhile but most of it is not in Logan County. It > appears in the 1878 history altho it says [incorrectly] it is mostly in > Macon County. That should be Mason County. It goes on to say the portion in > Logan County was surveyed in 1858. > > The history goes on to mention Skelton, Burton View and Chesterville as > stations on the railroad. There were no towns, just grain elevators and > generally one or two houses. Heman [not sure how that is spelled] is > another as is Narita. One of those in actually in Macon County [the real > Macon County] but I can't remember which is which. > > Cheryl Rothwell > LoganCty@mindspring.com > Coordinator, Logan County, ILGenWeb Project > http://www.rootsweb.com/~illogan/loindex.htm > Logan County mailing list> LOGAN-L-request@rootsweb.com > Downing mailing list> DOWNING-L-request@rootsweb.com > Harding mailing list> HARDING-L-request@rootsweb.com > Downing query board> > http://cgi.rootsweb.com/~genbbs/genbbs.cgi/FamilyAssoc/Downing > Lucas query board> > http://cgi.rootsweb.com/~genbbs/genbbs.cgi/FamilyAssoc/Lucas > > ==== ILLOGAN Mailing List ==== > The first settlers came to Logan County in 1819. At that time it was Sangamon County.

San Jose, pronouced San Jose like it sounds rather than the Spanish way, has been there quite awhile but most of it is not in Logan County. It appears in the 1878 history altho it says [incorrectly] it is mostly in Macon County. That should be Mason County. It goes on to say the portion in Logan County was surveyed in 1858. The history goes on to mention Skelton, Burton View and Chesterville as stations on the railroad. There were no towns, just grain elevators and generally one or two houses. Heman [not sure how that is spelled] is another as is Narita. One of those in actually in Macon County [the real Macon County] but I can't remember which is which. Cheryl Rothwell LoganCty@mindspring.com Coordinator, Logan County, ILGenWeb Project http://www.rootsweb.com/~illogan/loindex.htm Logan County mailing list> LOGAN-L-request@rootsweb.com Downing mailing list> DOWNING-L-request@rootsweb.com Harding mailing list> HARDING-L-request@rootsweb.com Downing query board> http://cgi.rootsweb.com/~genbbs/genbbs.cgi/FamilyAssoc/Downing Lucas query board> http://cgi.rootsweb.com/~genbbs/genbbs.cgi/FamilyAssoc/Lucas

Dear List, I was reading "Place Names" on the Logan County US Gen Web site a few minutes ago and I noticed a city call "San Jose" in Prairie Creek TWP. Since I had never heard this city mentioned before and my great-grandparents lived in Prairie Creek TWP in the 1875-1880 period, could someone be so kind as to give me some info on this city?? Is it still in existence and what was it like in the 1875-1880 period?? Thanks in advance. Marge in Nebraska

Thanks Cheryl.. How do you have time for all of this? You're always helping everyone. I knew that it was spelled BIRKS, but I had seen in a Logan Co. History about the Praire and they spelled it BIRK'S Praire and referred to an ancestor as BIRK. Thanks again, Laurie

Great Job, Cheryl! A light hearted look at history and our forefathers is always welcome. Keep up the good work. Your dedication is much appreciated by this descendant of Logan County.......... Ginger Smith (Lanterman, Graham, Goodpasture, Oyer) -----Original Message----- From: clrothwell@mindspring.com <clrothwell@mindspring.com> To: ILLOGAN-L@rootsweb.com <ILLOGAN-L@rootsweb.com> Date: Sunday, May 16, 1999 2:18 PM Subject: [ILLOGAN-L] Additions to Web Site >What do you think of the new graphics on the main page of the web site, top >and bottom? Hop on over to the history page and tell me if that one is too >much for a 'serious' site. > > >Cheryl Rothwell >LoganCty@mindspring.com >Coordinator, Logan County, ILGenWeb Project >http://www.rootsweb.com/~illogan/loindex.htm >Logan County mailing list> LOGAN-L-request@rootsweb.com >Downing mailing list> DOWNING-L-request@rootsweb.com >Harding mailing list> HARDING-L-request@rootsweb.com >Downing query board> >http://cgi.rootsweb.com/~genbbs/genbbs.cgi/FamilyAssoc/Downing >Lucas query board> >http://cgi.rootsweb.com/~genbbs/genbbs.cgi/FamilyAssoc/Lucas > > >==== ILLOGAN Mailing List ==== >Logan County is on roll 63 of the 1840 Census. > > > >

What do you think of the new graphics on the main page of the web site, top and bottom? Hop on over to the history page and tell me if that one is too much for a 'serious' site. Cheryl Rothwell LoganCty@mindspring.com Coordinator, Logan County, ILGenWeb Project http://www.rootsweb.com/~illogan/loindex.htm Logan County mailing list> LOGAN-L-request@rootsweb.com Downing mailing list> DOWNING-L-request@rootsweb.com Harding mailing list> HARDING-L-request@rootsweb.com Downing query board> http://cgi.rootsweb.com/~genbbs/genbbs.cgi/FamilyAssoc/Downing Lucas query board> http://cgi.rootsweb.com/~genbbs/genbbs.cgi/FamilyAssoc/Lucas

I'm pretty much home bound at the moment which gives me time -- although not as much as one would think. I believe you have the Stringer History. If you could quote a paragraph or something perhaps I could figure out Birks Prairie. It might just be it was called that in 1910 but not in my somewhat shorter <g> life time. Cheryl Rothwell LoganCty@mindspring.com Coordinator, Logan County, ILGenWeb Project http://www.rootsweb.com/~illogan/loindex.htm Logan County mailing list> LOGAN-L-request@rootsweb.com Downing mailing list> DOWNING-L-request@rootsweb.com Harding mailing list> HARDING-L-request@rootsweb.com Downing query board> http://cgi.rootsweb.com/~genbbs/genbbs.cgi/FamilyAssoc/Downing Lucas query board> http://cgi.rootsweb.com/~genbbs/genbbs.cgi/FamilyAssoc/Lucas

Thank all of you for the information on the school. Do any of you know who started the school and about what time period? Thanks again, Laurie

I did find the exact location of Birks School -- I've never seen it spelled Birk's by the way and I assume it was named after someone in the Birks family so that would be, properly, Birks' anyway. I mention this because some search engines are picky. Birks near SW edge of Sec. 15, Township 17. You can pinpoint that using the township and section maps on the web site. According to Emagene Veech Green who researched this in the 50's, the Logan County School Supervisor's office does not have records for these schools. Birks was still in operation at that point so it is possible [altho maybe not probable] that someone has the records for that school, or at least some of them. I have seen various artifacts from some of the schools. You might try contacting the Mt. Pulaski Township Historical Society, 108 S. Washington St., Mt. Pulaski, IL 62548-1157. At 08:44 AM 5/15/1999 -0700, you wrote: >Thank all of you for the information on the school. Do any of you know who >started the school and about what time period? >Thanks again, >Laurie > > > >==== ILLOGAN Mailing List ==== >Space for this list is provided free by RootsWeb.com which also provides free space for the ILGenWeb Logan County pages. > > > > Cheryl Rothwell LoganCty@mindspring.com Coordinator, Logan County, ILGenWeb Project http://www.rootsweb.com/~illogan/loindex.htm Logan County mailing list> LOGAN-L-request@rootsweb.com Downing mailing list> DOWNING-L-request@rootsweb.com Harding mailing list> HARDING-L-request@rootsweb.com Downing query board> http://cgi.rootsweb.com/~genbbs/genbbs.cgi/FamilyAssoc/Downing Lucas query board> http://cgi.rootsweb.com/~genbbs/genbbs.cgi/FamilyAssoc/Lucas

AMEN! My friend's daughter just skipped a week and she just found out about it today. I sent one of my daughter's to a Christian school, and I knew by the end of the day if she had done something wrong. That was when the school just was starting so I hope the policy is the same today! Joan At 09:02 PM 5/13/99 -0400, you wrote: >This is off topic but I can't resist. I'm a school psychologist and you are >so so right about small schools. Children need to know that adults know >them and monitor them. That doesn't happen in a large impersonal school. >Darlene > > >==== ILLOGAN Mailing List ==== >What Logan County resouces do you own? Tell us. > > > >

This is off topic but I can't resist. I'm a school psychologist and you are so so right about small schools. Children need to know that adults know them and monitor them. That doesn't happen in a large impersonal school. Darlene

>I think the small schools were a positive thing. No Drugs, No guns. And often no indoor plumbing.... Cheryl Rothwell LoganCty@mindspring.com Coordinator, Logan County, ILGenWeb Project http://www.rootsweb.com/~illogan/loindex.htm Logan County mailing list> LOGAN-L-request@rootsweb.com Downing mailing list> DOWNING-L-request@rootsweb.com Harding mailing list> HARDING-L-request@rootsweb.com Downing query board> http://cgi.rootsweb.com/~genbbs/genbbs.cgi/FamilyAssoc/Downing Lucas query board> http://cgi.rootsweb.com/~genbbs/genbbs.cgi/FamilyAssoc/Lucas

Laurie: My cousin, Donald Erlenbush graduated from Birks School in 1953, and went through High School in Mt. Pulaski with my class (Class of 1957). I don't know much else about it. I think the small schools were a positive thing. No Drugs, No guns. JOHN WILHAM

>Looking for info. on the old Birk's elementary school & the Birk's praire. I'm not quite sure what you are referring to as Birk's prairie. I don't think there are any schools in the Mt. Pulaski School District anymore except in Mt. Pulaski [ie, Lake Fork, Cornland, Chestnut, Birks]. Birks was one of the last to go, merging in 1971. Birks School, a one room school house, was built in 1878 and replaced in 1931 [with a new building]. I don't know if the building is still standing -- it got a second room after WWII but it was still pretty small. It was the last time I was in that area but that was sometime back. John Wilham might know. Cheryl Rothwell LoganCty@mindspring.com Coordinator, Logan County, ILGenWeb Project http://www.rootsweb.com/~illogan/loindex.htm Logan County mailing list> LOGAN-L-request@rootsweb.com Downing mailing list> DOWNING-L-request@rootsweb.com Harding mailing list> HARDING-L-request@rootsweb.com Downing query board> http://cgi.rootsweb.com/~genbbs/genbbs.cgi/FamilyAssoc/Downing Lucas query board> http://cgi.rootsweb.com/~genbbs/genbbs.cgi/FamilyAssoc/Lucas

Looking for info. on the old Birk's elementary school & the Birk's praire. Do these both still exist in Logan Co.? Thank you for your help. Laurie HisServants@prodigy.net

I'm curious. Were there any newspapers around the 1880 era? I'm especially interested in the New Holland area. Thanks! Marge in Nebraska