This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: wdonath Surnames: Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.northam.usa.states.illinois.counties.logan/1589.1/mb.ashx Message Board Post: Juls: I have not been to the Court House to look at one of these sheriff sale files, but it appears that they are the result of some legal contest over property. That is, two or more people claiming ownership of the same property. I suspect the question of ownership came up when a property was to be sold. The legal description of the property is included in the Sheriff Sale report. The courts apparently settled the question in favor of the contestant with the most evidence of ownership. There are hundreds of these in the Herald. I suspect it is a result of the burning of the Court House records in 1857. The original court files would probably be at the IRAD at ISU in Normal, Illinois. Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board.