I hit reply tryng to get e-mail addresses to reply or answer questions personally, but the addresses are NOT usually on the Macon Co e-mail letters. If there is something I don't want to read on a letter I hit delete or unsubscribe to the letter. I have found the e-mails very informative and helpful. Patience is a must in family history research. I enjoyed working as volunteer and helping patrons of the Library with their family history for a number of years in a Family History Library. It is a rewarding experience when you can help to someone else find their ancestors. They are Usually so thankful for any help. I know I am. I have been enjoying searching family history since a child for over 60 years. Beverly

We should have a Decatur reunion one day this summer! Anyone interested, contact me at jjjsg@aol.com. I'd be more than happy to have it! We don't know many people from around here because Steve's been working in California and I've been traveling all over the U.S. from coast to coast for the past four months. Hopefully, the family is well, and I'll be able to stay at home for awhile! Jane

What is the address of the Decatur Library? What is the address of the genealogy society there? What is the address of the county clerk's office? Thanks SALLY THANKS.....:-)* Sally Hathaway sjhathaway@aol.com

You will find all this information, and much more, on the Macon Co. Rootsweb site: http://www.rootsweb.com/~ilmacon/ Barb ----- Original Message ----- From: <SJHATHAWAY@aol.com> To: <ILMACON-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Saturday, January 17, 2004 12:50 PM Subject: Re: [ILMACON] Decatur Library > What is the address of the Decatur Library? What is the address of the > genealogy society there? What is the address of the county clerk's office? > Thanks > SALLY > > THANKS.....:-)* > Sally Hathaway > sjhathaway@aol.com > > > ==== ILMACON Mailing List ==== > To unsubscribe from the list send a message to: ILMACON-L-request@rootsweb.com with unsubscribe as the subject. > To unsubscribe from the digest send a message to: ILMACON-D-request@rootsweb.com with unsubscribe as the subject. > >

I think it was Walgreens downtown somewhere near Bolay's Hobbies, Del's Popcorn shop and Lincoln Theater (I don't remember exactly where) that had nickle cokes for a long time, probably up to early 60s. It was a small coke but it still a nickel which fit my budget well at the time. Then there was a fire. When they reopened, coke was a dime like everywhere else. Steak and Shake was always a good place for Orange Freezes, I always liked the drive in aspect, where they came out to the car, but mostly it was a place to drive thru and see if any of your friends were out and about as we went from one end of Eldorado to the other. When they made cruising illegal it was horrid. For good pork tenderloin sandwiches, the best place was Elam's just past the Van Dyke viaduct. I went to school with some of the Elams, as did my folks. They were good folks. Unfortunately it's long gone now. We Decaturites tend to get spread around. My family alone is spread from CA to FL. It was a good town. Being born and raised there, I'm a bit prejudiced. Family-wise, we've been central IL folks since at least 1828, mostly eastern Sangamon County but also Decatur and some Logan and Christian County. Illiopolis is pretty much the center. Draw a line from Lincoln to Springfield to Taylorville to Decatur to Lincoln and you will encompass most of my Hunter line and a large portion of colateral families from 1828 to date, Since 1969 we've spread out more tho. Dave Hunter, Springfield

Well, it's sorta in the old Sears Building. If you all are interested in a history lesson here's one. The old library that the lady mentions having waited on the steps for her relative was constructed in 1902 with a $65,000 grant from Andrew Carnegie. During his life he endowed over $65,000,000 dollars for nearly 2500 libraries in the US and abroad. There are a dozen or so still in use in Illinois, the closest to Decatur being in Arcola and in Paxton I believe. By 1970 the library needed more space and couldn't expand enough at the site of the Carnegie Library on the corner of Eldorado and N. Main St. Sears, who had a store for many years on the corner of East North St. and N. Franklin St. across from the old Decatur High School, had built a new store down Franklin St from their old store, across from Central Park. The Libray Board bought the 'old' Sears store and moved into it in 1970, abandoning the Carnegie facility which they had used from 1903 until 1970. Many studies were done during the '70's to find a good and appropriate use for the old Carnegie library but costs were prohibitive and the building was sold, destroyed and a Savings and Loan or some such financial thing was built on the site. It was a sad day. In the 90's Sears moved their facility from N. Franklin St out to the Hickory Point Mall leaving their downtown facility empty. The Library Board bought this building and moved into it in 1999. So...the library is in an old Sears building now, but was in an older one for 30 years, and in an absolutely fantastic building provided by Andrew Carnegie for nearly 70 years. As an aside to both the Library and Durfee conversations, there was a branch library, Evan's Branch Library, diagonally NW across Jasper and Locust streets from Durfee Elementary school. It was abandoned many years ago. The building I believe is still there but I don't know what use if any it currently has. I spent many, many hours there as a kid. As the lady said, you can hit your delete key if you're not interested. Gary Plano,TX

Cheryl, Be very grateful for those relatives that want to help and not just recieve. They are few and far between. My very distant cousins in other states are more helpful than the ones who live there in Illinois. Beverly in Texas

-----Original Message----- From: Bcookiegma@cs.com [mailto:Bcookiegma@cs.com] Sent: Saturday, January 17, 2004 11:53 AM To: ILMACON-L@rootsweb.com Subject: Re: [ILMACON] You are kidding of course! A relative who lives there & cares? You are kidding of course!? HA ha! Thgat will certainly be the day in my family. I am the genealogy nut in the family. The one who cares about, as my relatives say those dead people. You would think they weren't their relatives also. My relatives who live there will not even stop at the cemetery near them for dates on a stone. They all say I would like to have a copy of the family history when you finish it. Rightttttt!!!! Beverly in TX ==== ILMACON Mailing List ==== To unsubscribe from the list send a message to: ILMACON-L-request@rootsweb.com with unsubscribe as the subject. To unsubscribe from the digest send a message to: ILMACON-D-request@rootsweb.com with unsubscribe as the subject.

There are probably some advantages to being the eldest child. <g> My sister whines about going to cemeteries but she goes. And she runs out to the Decatur Genealogical Society. In Logan County, where all my ancestors conveniently located, I have two cousins who are interested and willing to help. Cheryl Rothwell logancty@mindspring.com Logan County, IL, Coordinator, ILGenWeb www.rootsweb.com/~illogan Central IL Regional Coordinator, ILGenWeb Clark, Downing, Harding, Lucas et al

This link may be useful to you. It's the State Historical Library and they do lookups. http://www.state.il.us/hpa/lib/ishlgen.htm They are a little high for out of state residents now. Do you have an in-state relative to take delivery? Cheryl Rothwell logancty@mindspring.com Logan County, IL, Coordinator, ILGenWeb www.rootsweb.com/~illogan Central IL Regional Coordinator, ILGenWeb Clark, Downing, Harding, Lucas et al

I don't have any objections to the emails that come through on the site, and listers asking for help. I have been actively been researching genealogy since the 1940's. And like you, I have helped many other reseachers and newbies. I would say, i have plenty of patience trying to help people. But, not in personal memories on the lists. I actually enjpoy helping others, that is how it is supposed to work, but not always. I have given family information, and as soon as they gey. it , you don't exist anymore. I have done volunteer work on the De Witt Co., site, and others as well. So don't chastise me about patience. You might suggest when you get an email with out a return, either ignore it, or ask for a address the next posting. Mary Bcookiegma@cs.com wrote: I hit reply tryng to get e-mail addresses to reply or answer questions personally, but the addresses are NOT usually on the Macon Co e-mail letters. If there is something I don't want to read on a letter I hit delete or unsubscribe to the letter. I have found the e-mails very informative and helpful. Patience is a must in family history research. I enjoyed working as volunteer and helping patrons of the Library with their family history for a number of years in a Family History Library. It is a rewarding experience when you can help to someone else find their ancestors. They are Usually so thankful for any help. I know I am. I have been enjoying searching family history since a child for over 60 years. Beverly ==== ILMACON Mailing List ==== To unsubscribe from the list send a message to: ILMACON-L-request@rootsweb.com with unsubscribe as the subject. To unsubscribe from the digest send a message to: ILMACON-D-request@rootsweb.com with unsubscribe as the subject.

My grandfather Charles Herbert MARSH had a half-brother George Arrington SHIELDS ,(son of Samuel SHIELDS & Ella Victoria (RAY), born 1876 Hannibal, Marion Co, MO & died 1906 Maroa, Macon Co, IL married 1903 Macon Co, IL Nellie A. GARDNER, (daughter if William L. GARDNER), of Maroa, Macon Co, IL. I believe they are buried in the Maroa Cemetery. Are they related to your GARDNER? Beverly in TX

You are kidding of course!? HA ha! Thgat will certainly be the day in my family. I am the genealogy nut in the family. The one who cares about, as my relatives say those dead people. You would think they weren't their relatives also. My relatives who live there will not even stop at the cemetery near them for dates on a stone. They all say I would like to have a copy of the family history when you finish it. Rightttttt!!!! Beverly in TX

AMEN! the information about locations and people of the area are most helpful to we serious genealogists. I for one appreciated the help. I subscribe to the most interesting and active e-mail letters. Macon Co, IL is one of the best ones. Decatur Central Illinois Genealogy Society also have the best genealogy society library of any in the state. I appoligize if my e-mails may have annoyed anyone. I was only trying to answer questions and be of some help of somekind. Beverly

I wrote to the Macon Co. Courthouse requesting a COPY of the "marriage license" & "return of the marriage" for Homer F. GARDNER & Gertrude R. WHEELING who applied for a Marriage License on 18 Oct. 1924 (as published in the "Decatur Daily Review" on Tues., Oct. 21, 1924), license issued by County Clerk Harvey Fay. I was advised to send a money order for $11.00. I mailed the money order and it was returned to me - NO RECORD FOUND. THIS IS VERY CONFUSING AS ISSUANCE OF THE LICENSE WAS PUBLISHED IN THE LOCAL NEWSPAPER. Anyone on this list who lives near the courthouse who could go there & check this out? I would be happy to reimburse for time spent & copies made. Sue in NY Sue12632@aol.com

What is really interesting about this conversation is that so many list members actually lived in Decatur or Macon County. On most lists I deal with the researchers have never lived in the county, quite probably have never even been there. I know some on the list still live there. Do any of the rest of you have relatives still living there whose arms you can twist to go to the courthouse for you? That's what I do. Cheryl Rothwell logancty@mindspring.com Logan County, IL, Coordinator, ILGenWeb www.rootsweb.com/~illogan Central IL Regional Coordinator, ILGenWeb Clark, Downing, Harding, Lucas et al

I'll be happy to accommodate your request and unsubscribe you. You could just use your delete key of course when the subject doesn't interest you. I think the discussion probably made at least one connection for someone and it gave a lot of people pleasure so it was worthwhile. -----Original Message----- From: KenElery@aol.com [mailto:KenElery@aol.com] Sent: Saturday, January 17, 2004 9:31 AM To: ILMACON-L@rootsweb.com Subject: [ILMACON] Non interest Someone tell me how to unsubcribe to this mess. I had 33 non interest emails from Macon list this morning. ==== ILMACON Mailing List ==== Visit the Macon County ILGenWeb page at: http://www.rootsweb.com/~ilmacon/

>>just type in unsubscribe in the subject line when you reply Not quite. It goes to a different address. See below: ==== ILMACON Mailing List ==== To unsubscribe from the list send a message to: ILMACON-L-request@rootsweb.com with unsubscribe as the subject. To unsubscribe from the digest send a message to: ILMACON-D-request@rootsweb.com with unsubscribe as the subject.

The Decatur Public Library is in the old SEARS building, at least was a few years ago when I visited Decatur, IL. "Soy bean capital of the world". The Decatur Central Illinois Genealogy Society Library has moved to another location now. It was near the old transfer house. Beverly (HIMES) BARGER in TX

Barbara, would you have Benjamine Franklin EKISS and Luella Grace SCOTT in your file? Luella Grace SCOTT is my second cousin once removed. They come thru my STUART line. They have two daughters Eleanor and Deva who still like in Bethany. I have visited Eleanor on several occasions. Best regards Sandra Wagner Decatur, Illinois ----- Original Message ----- From: "John and Barbara Ekiss" <jbekiss@att.net> To: <ILMACON-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Saturday, January 17, 2004 11:02 AM Subject: [ILMACON] memories > Some of our EKISS relatives lived in Macon Co. Our direct line in Bethany. > Several years ago we finally visited Bethany and on that trip learned that > it is now a 'bedroom' community to Decatur residents that wish to live in a > quiet, rural area. > > My husband, typical man!!? just doesn't remember his childhood or much about > his Grandparents. He'd tell me they were from Decatur but he remembered > going to GA. Then all of the sudden one day he told me he'd not attended > his Grandmother's funeral in IL but had gone there with his parents. They > said he shouldn't to go to the funeral however. He was 15 at the time. > > IL! the hunt was on and I've traced the Ekiss family way back. > > I'd love to hear memories of Bethany if anyone has some. I think finding > the social history of a community is more than half the fun of genealogy > research. > > This is the type of discussion I seek on a roots -L and wish it was more > frequent. I've been told to join roots history L if that is what I'm > interested in but the few history L I've joined are more scholarly and less > personal experience. Our ancestors were real people. This brings them to > life, makes them human to know where they had that hot dog, or ice skated, > or where they might have stole the first kiss. Barb in AZ > > > > ==== ILMACON Mailing List ==== > Visit the Macon County ILGenWeb page at: > http://www.rootsweb.com/~ilmacon/ >