Looking for a little history or geography lesson. I noticed the THURMAN posting had these two towns listed, and it is similar to mine. Washington MILLER and Julia SMITH were married in 1837 St. Louis, Missouri. They lived in Alton, Madison, Illinois. I realize that Alton is about 25 miles from St. Louis, so this seems reasonable. They remained in Alton until around 1880, then moved to Chicago. Their daughter, Julia Ann MILLER married Samuel Boyd DAVIS in Alton in 1858. They remained there until around 1870, then moved to Chicago. Their son, Samuel Edward DAVIS was born in Alton in 1864. He married Grace RYERSON in 1887 Chicago....where they lived until around 1905. They lived in Elgin from 1905-1915 (my gradmother was born there in 1907), then moved back to Chicago. He died in Highland Park, Lake County, Illinois in 1928. This family (DAVIS, MILLER, and the connecting DUTRO) were all in the merchantile/grocery/produce/creamery business. Was it common for the migration north from Alton to Chicago to occur because of that occupation/railroad/etc? Elgin, Kane Co., Illinois is near Chicago, correct? Thanks in advance for help.... and hopefully someone has connections to these families. Pete Hanson Cromwell, CT