Debbi, I don't know whether I have written to thank you for your help. If not, thank you. If yes, thank you again. I have had another person contact me lives in Alton, but who winters in Mexico. She has promised to do some research when she returns to Alton. Believe it or not, there is a connection with the family. I am really excited about this. Alton has been such a stone wall. Thank you again for the time and effort you have put in for me. Deone Wiley ----- Original Message ----- From: Debbi Geer Sent: Thursday, February 14, 2002 3:18 AM To: [email protected] Subject: Re: [ILMADISO-L] CATHOLIC CEMETERIES Deone You probably already have this, but I looked up the Zerwas family in 1880. Found the following 2 entries - Fred Zerwas and his wife lived on Danforth. Danforth is off of State Street. One of the key landmarks is the Alton Catholic Children's Home which I is operated by the Diocese of Springfield. Danforth is next to the area which is referred to as "Fairmount Addition". Fairmount is probably the richest part of Alton. When I was taking piano lessons from a teacher who lived less than 2 blocks from the entrance of Fairmount, a school friend and I would take walks in Fairmount. No one bothered us even though it was supposed to be guarded at that time. I guess he came to know us pretty good and didn't say anything as we didn't bother anyone. Now you can't get by that easy. The former Olin Mansion is back there too and a person could get lost in that place alone. I had the privilege to see the blueprints of the layout of the mansion and what a person could do if they had the money especially if they needed lots of room for genealogical purposes. The entire 4th floor was the children's play area plus the Nanny's bedroom and bathroom. Nicholas Zervas (notice spelling) and his family was living in North Alton as you have said. It doesn't give street addresses but that part of Delmar where they lived is what is referred to as North Alton. Fred most likely was a member of Sts Peter and Paul Catholic Church. Nicholas probably was too but that area in Alton has some strange dividing lines. My great-uncle and great-aunt lived a few blocks from State Street and went to St Mary's Church. I don't know if they just continued to associate with St. Mary's as that's where the rest of the Girth's went or if their house was actually in St Mary's parish area even though it was closer to Sts Peter and Paul. Debbi __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Send FREE Valentine eCards with Yahoo! Greetings! http://greetings.yahoo.com ==== ILMADISO Mailing List ==== Passenger Lists on the internet search: http://www.google.com/search?q=Passenger+Lists&btnG=Google+Search