You may already know this, but thought I would pass it on to make sure. On the LDS Site http://www.familysearch.org/Eng/default.asp You can find transcriptions for 1880 US Census, British & Canadian Censuses are available. Look to the left side of the web page and you will find in the column links to the different censuses! What a Wonderful Tool! If I have cluttered your desktop with repetitive info, I apologize. But while working with it again this morning, I just had to share. Happy Hunting! Sally

Imagine what Massac County looked like when our ancestors arrived. There were no paved roads, concrete sidewalks or houses awaiting them. Their roads were mere paths that Indians and wild animals had made, and they were often attacked along the way by both. They had to hack and chop their way through miles of forest where trees and brush joined making it nearly impossible to walk. There wasn't time to stop and enjoy a sunrise or sit on the banks of the Ohio to think awhile. They had to keep going. Our ancestors withstood hardships that we have been fortunate in never experiencing. Some may have lived through a flood, but its safe to say none of us endured Indians on the war path. Our early ancestors suffered famine, drought, flood, disease, cold, heat but still continued on. When they arrived they had to clear land to build their cabin, plant a garden, chop fire wood, kill clean and dress their meat. All that along with their daily tasks of caring for their children, feeding the animals, cooking, cleaning, mending candle making and on and on. We are very fortunate in deed. May we always remember those who came before us. MJ

Good Morning JDyjak, If possible, I'd like to address you better than JDyjak. Since both you and Brad seem to have a problem locating the link for the map, I could suggest that you empty your cache file and look at the main page again. This would be valid if neither of you can see the link in my answer to Brad. Check it, please. Thank you, Bill Oliver] Site Manager -=- JDyjak@aol.com wrote: > Hi....I don't find the link either........

Good Morning Brad, From the main Massac County ILGenWeb Project page <http://www.rootsweb.com/~ilmassac/> scroll down to the second statue and opposite the base are links to other sites. The bottom one [Massac County Map], click there and go to the map. Otherwise go to: http://www.rootsweb.com/~ilmassac/mcimap0001.html Sincerely, Bill Oliver Site Manager -=- Brad Faughn wrote: > I would like to see the map referenced, but I don't see the link you > mentioned. Thanks. > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Bill Oliver" <wnoliver@worldnet.att.net> > To: <ILMASSAC-L@rootsweb.com> > Sent: Sunday, November 03, 2002 6:14 PM > Subject: [ILMASSAC] Massac County Map > > > Hello and Good Evening Listers, > > > > I have been trying to trace my ancestors stay in Massac > > county. After getting the information from my cousin, > > I found Frederick CRENSHAW on the IL Land site; he > > bought 40 acres in Sec 4 of Jackson Township. As far > > as I can figure after consulting several maps is that > > he might have bought property at the head or source of > > Crenshaw Creek. Mapquest: search for Unionville, IL > > and then enlarge that map and the creek is listed. > > > > Speaking of maps, there was a dandy map [1895 or so] of > > Massac county on the former site. I have uploaded and > > link it. Take a look. I like it!! > > > > Thank you, > > > > Bill Oliver > > List Manager > > -=- > > > > > >

I would like to see the map referenced, but I don't see the link you mentioned. Thanks. ----- Original Message ----- From: "Bill Oliver" <wnoliver@worldnet.att.net> To: <ILMASSAC-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Sunday, November 03, 2002 6:14 PM Subject: [ILMASSAC] Massac County Map > Hello and Good Evening Listers, > > I have been trying to trace my ancestors stay in Massac > county. After getting the information from my cousin, > I found Frederick CRENSHAW on the IL Land site; he > bought 40 acres in Sec 4 of Jackson Township. As far > as I can figure after consulting several maps is that > he might have bought property at the head or source of > Crenshaw Creek. Mapquest: search for Unionville, IL > and then enlarge that map and the creek is listed. > > Speaking of maps, there was a dandy map [1895 or so] of > Massac county on the former site. I have uploaded and > link it. Take a look. I like it!! > > Thank you, > > Bill Oliver > List Manager > -=- > > >

Hi....I don't find the link either........

REGINA, THE 1859 TAX LIST BOOK SOLD BY MCGS HAS INDIVIDUAL TOWNSHIP MAPS WITH THE PROPERTY OWNERS LISTED. PROPERTY OWNERS ARE LISTED IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER AND IN ORDER OF THE RANGE AND TOWNSHIP, SO YOU CAN SEE WHO THE NEIGHBORS ARE. YE OLDE GENEALOGIE SHOPPE AT INDIANAPOLIS, IN SELLS A REPRINT OF THE 1876 ATLAS OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS. IT HAS BEEN REDUCED FROM IT'S ORIGINAL SIZE TO LEDGER SIZE. EACH COUNTY MAP HAS THE LARGER PROPERTY OWNERS ON IT. THE REPRINT IS IN BLACK AND WHITE, ORIGINAL IN COLOR. IKE MORGAN MADE A FANTASTIC MAP OF MASSAC CO. IN 1899. BESIDES THE PROPERTY OWNERS, IT HAS ALL THE CHURCHES, CEMETERIES, SCHOOLS, ETC., A BRIEF HISTORY OF MASSAC CO. AND EVEN TELLS YOU HOW TO READ THE MAP. A REDUCED COPY (ABOUT 2 FT. BY 3 FT.) IS AT THE METROPOLIS LIBRARY. DAVID DEJARNETT MADE A PLAT MAP WITH PROPERTY OWNERS IN 1932 OR 39. A COPY OF THIS IS AT THE CO. CLERK'S OFFICES IN THE VAULT. THE CO. CLERK SELLS A CURRENT PLAT BOOK WITH PROPERTY OWNERS LISTED. THE LARGER PROPERTY OWNERS ARE ON THE MAPS (BY TOWNSHIP), WHILE PEOPLE WHO OWN JUST A FEW ACRES OR LESS ARE LISTED IN THE CODED INDEX. I THINK IT'S $20. ALSO, THE POPE AND HARDIN CO. CLERKS SELL A PLAT BOOK (2 YEARS OLD). THEY COMBINED BOTH COUNTIES IN THE BOOK. ANN ----- Original Message ----- From: <Rmarkowi@aol.com> To: <ILMASSAC-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Sunday, November 03, 2002 9:37 PM Subject: [ILMASSAC] Tax Maps > Dear Bill and Others: > > Is there such a thing as a Tax Map produced over the years in Massac County? > I saw one of these in Wilson County, Tennessee and it was a terrific source > of information as well a providing a great prospective on family and > adjoining neighbors. > > Regina > >

Little Egypt Heritage Articles Stories of Southern Illinois Bill Oliver 3 November 2002 Vol 1 Issue: #10 ISSN: pending Good Evening Ladies and Gentlemen of Little Egypt, Two earthquakes today — one in Alaska and one in northwestern Nebraska. Sicily didn't fair as well. In northwestern Ohio it was a nice fall day. There was frost on the ground this morning and the leaves rained off the trees. So following Church and a bite to eat, the two youngest grandchildren, four and six, joined ole Poppy for a romp in the leaves. I took that modern tool, the blower, and blew leaves at them and over them, almost burying them. They giggled and I roared with laughter. They jumped into and ran through the leaves, then grabbing huge armfuls they threw them at me running away in glee. Six decades or so ago a ten year old would have to spend half the day raking the leaves to have such fun. A hundred fifty or two hundred years ago, they probably didn't rake the leaves into piles on the frontiers of America. Two hundred years ago a ten to fifteen year old boy would probably wake because the soap stone would have cooled down and the blanket tent over him would begin to exchange the warmth of his body with the cold pressing on that cover. The days clothes laid under the covers at the foot of the bed would be grabbed and a dash would be made to the barn before the cold could catch up with you. There where the livestock were kept, a cow or ox would be disturbed of its place and the warm flat place it left would be the dressing place. Next, the fire in the hearth would be rekindled and the living quarters would again become warm and radiant with light. When a cabin was first built, windows were probably cut but covered with shutters that would let in no light if closed. Later they might cover these windows with oiled paper but that didn't let much light into the room. Yankee ingenuity utilized the bottoms of glass bottles and though they were good for protection against arrows and sometimes gunshot, they didn't let in much more light, because they were dark colored glass. A precious item would be glass panes. Glass two hundred years ago would have been hand made with air bubbles and various thickness making the glass wavy. Looking through the glass objects look different than without the glass. When a family obtained glass for windows you can be sure that they were fashioned into windowframes with the care and skill of an artist. Often a cabin would only have two windows of glass, one with six panes and one with four panes of glass. This was to save the family from paying the "glass" tax. Families were allowed ten panes of glass tax free. It was natural to take your glass with you when you moved to the next house. Well, that's civilization for you ... tax accessors even out in the wilderness. First cabins didn't always have wooden floors. They had plain dirt ones. The earth would be pounded hard and they would be swept smooth daily. When guests were expected, the housewife might sweep it carefully and then use her artistic talents and scratch a design in the manner of a fancy rug. Why they might even tailor the design to the season or holiday, much as we do with our websites today. I would imagine that the first skill taught a frontier boy would be the value of an axe. He would be taught safety; to lay the blade toward the wall or sink it deep into a piece of soft wood. In very cold weather the axe blade would be warmed to make it less brittle. Whether the handle was straight or curved would depend on when it was made. Handles were straight before the middle of the 19th century. The loft in a cabin was the warmest place for sleeping because heat rises of course. To reach the loft some type of climbing instrument had to be constructed. There were pegs in supporting beams, but usually only in barns. There were notched logs; and rectangular holes cut into planks. And, then there were split pole ladders. Moving large rocks was a lesson in physics and geometry besides the skill of handling animals. A sled would be made to drag the rock to where you wanted it. To get the rock onto the sled a post would be set into the ground next to the rock. Then a beam would be placed behind the rock and in front of the post. The long end would be attached to an farm animal and the principle of fulcrum and lever would be applied to move the rock. Six decades ago, I would get off to myself and read such books as the Leatherstocking Tales and place myself into the times and places of the characters. Vicariously I would live in those times with only the tools that these folks had. It was a lot of fun, it gave me mental exercises, it taught me to appreciate the many beautiful surviving items made by the artists [craftsmen]; the coopers, blacksmiths, carpenters, etc. They were artists. And, all this would bring me back to today and I would so appreciate that I have the "blower" to blow leaves at my grandchildren. Wado, Bill -- Notes: Link to Archived Articles http://www.usgennet.org/usa/ne/state/ Little Egypt Heritage articles will be posted on Sunday evening on the SOIL-L@rootsweb.com ILJackso-L@rootsweb.com ILJohnso-L@rootsweb.com ILMassac-L@rootsweb.com

Dear Bill and Others: Is there such a thing as a Tax Map produced over the years in Massac County? I saw one of these in Wilson County, Tennessee and it was a terrific source of information as well a providing a great prospective on family and adjoining neighbors. Regina

Dr. Mr. Bill Just had a conversation with our farmer friends in Pennsylvania regarding the method their parents used to make buttermilk. Now you have enlightened us! Today buttermilk is "cultured", that is, slightly soured artificially with added bacteria to get that thick and almost sweet but sour flavor. In the old days, from what you say, the cream was allowed to ripen to the slightly sour stage naturally. Thus, when the buttermilk was made back in Massac County, little pieces of butter would remain in the leftover milk that was drained after removing the butterfat. That was true buttermilk and I can remember the taste from long ago in my childhood back in the forties and fifties just before it expired. Thanks, Regina in Troy Michigan

Hello and Good Evening Listers, I have been trying to trace my ancestors stay in Massac county. After getting the information from my cousin, I found Frederick CRENSHAW on the IL Land site; he bought 40 acres in Sec 4 of Jackson Township. As far as I can figure after consulting several maps is that he might have bought property at the head or source of Crenshaw Creek. Mapquest: search for Unionville, IL and then enlarge that map and the creek is listed. Speaking of maps, there was a dandy map [1895 or so] of Massac county on the former site. I have uploaded and link it. Take a look. I like it!! Thank you, Bill Oliver List Manager -=-

Regina, Thanks for sharing! I loved reading about the different occupations. The information was both interesting and educational. I hadn't realized there were specialist in those days. Sarah certainly kept busy, didn't she? We are trying to learn where our, Elizabeth CRENSHAW, worked as a seamstress in 1860. I recently read that Brookport had a button factory in the early 1900s. Maybe this could account for the need of so many seamstresses. Buttons go on clothing. Could there have been a clothing business? Those arrest for running a Tippling House didn't usually involve a stiff sentence. While researching court records, I found they were more like a slap on the wrist, and probably an embarrassment. Dr. Covington could belong in Bill's and my CRENSHAW line.....we have some rascals too. Mary Jo

Let me join in the fun. Here are some occupations of Metropolis area citizens in my collection. Hope you enjoy this exchange as much as we have. My Great Grandfather DR. ALEXANDER M. COVINGTON bought the old MCAULEY HOUSE hotel on the River in Metropolis next to the old Opera House in about 1872. He and his wife, SARAH TAYLOR COVINGTON were HOTEL OPERATORS as well as SALOON OPERATORS changing the name of the hotel to the COVINGTON HOTEL. DOCTOR COVINGTON was an EYE AND EAR DOCTOR which was called an AURIST and OCCULIST at the time. SARAH was the COOK, LAUNDRESS, HOUSEKEEPER, AND BUSINESS OPERATOR as well as MOTHER of six children all living in the private quarters of the hotel. The black man who worked for doctor was the HORSE KEEPER. I believe his name was GEORGE WASHINGTON. Doctor Covington was convicted of OPERATING A TIPPLING HOUSE ON A SUNDAY in the 1890s. He was also charged with many other infractions that did not stick. He also "allowed" the cash sale of female services and use of the rooms for such purposes for which he was compensated. The Covington Hotel was also the Mail Stop used by the river boat men and travelers on the river in front of the hotel and the train operators to the rear of the hotel. Did this make him a mail man? He was a banker of sorts, extending credit against the pay checks that had not arrived to men who were in sore need of a room, bath, drink, or any other matters of personal need and comfort. DOC COVINGTON was not only known as the PISTOL TOTING MAYOR OF THE BARBARY COAST OF the OHIO RIVER but was also a BOOTLEGGER who was shot to death in 1903 in his hotel saloon in a gun battle with SHERIFF DUMP OAKS of Metropolis. This story of fatal dual proved to be the biggest scandal of the era was relayed to us by TEACHER and HISTORIAN PAULINE ARTMAN who taught history for many a year in Metropolis. Doctor's Covington's daughter MAY BELLE COVINGTON married JOSEF E. BRUNER. He was a PIANO AND PIPE ORGAN MANUFACTURER who operated in Metropolis along with a man named MUSE who was his partner. MAY BELLE COVINGTON BRUNER'S son was MASON E. BRUNER who was born in Metropolis in 1912. He was my father. He wasTRADE INSTRUCTOR OF CARPENTRY at Fort Massac before World War II. He moved to Detroit after the war and became an ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR COMPANY OWNER AND OPERATOR. MASON BRUNER was also a PHILANTHROPIST. His very close friend was HARRY HUMMA who was DRUGGIST in Metropolis. Harry Humma arranged the donation of Mason Bruner land on the Ohio, the former site of the Covington Hotel, to the City of Metropolis in 1969 and is now the location of the parking area and picnic area at the city park. His father, JOSEF. E. BRUNER also owned a ferry boat and was a FERRY BOAT OPERATOR selling his pianos and delivering mail up and down the Ohio River in the early 1900s. The Covington family were RACE HORSE BREEDERS near New Liberty and owned land there to that end. They eventually went to Smith Center Kansas with their horses in the 1872 land rush and GEORGE WASHINGTON COVINGTON, at the age of 17, won the first Kentucky Derby in 1888 as JOCKEY riding the famous horse, Mohawk. The patriarch of this family, GEORGE WASHINGTON COVINGTON I owned a farm in Livingston County, Kentucky, across the river from New Liberty, Illinois and was a SAW MILL OWNER AND OPERATOR from 1838 to his death in 1969. His daughter MATTIE COVINGTON married WILLIAM A. LEE of Paducah who was a DOCTOR who served in the Civil War. Well, colorful stories of my Metropolis, Illinois ancestors, may they rest in peace. Love from Massac descendant, Regina Bruner Markowicz of Troy, Michigan

Good Afternoon Regina, I thank you for those kind words. It is a very good thing that I have a cousin nearby so I don't get a swelled head. She sure keeps me on my toes .... told me that I goofed on a couple of links .... <sigh> <FOMCL> Bill Oliver Site and List Manager -=- P.S. <FOMCL> = <Falling Off My Chair Laughing> Also, you don't have to retype the addys, just cut and paste ... that works. It is keep the spiders from harvesting. BO -=- Rmarkowi@aol.com wrote: > I am so pleased to have you as our new admin. Thanks for all you are doing > and the great job in reorganizing the site. I am happy to have you new rules > in place for our protection. I am more than happy to retype the email > addresses I wish to send rather than hot mail to protect all of us. Wish all > sites did this. Welcome aboard. > As always, > > Regina Markowicz > researching surnames Covington, Bruner, Taylor, Bloodworth, and Guinn

Occupations are really interesting and important. Yes, let us start a place to keep the additions. Regina in Troy, Michigan

I am so pleased to have you as our new admin. Thanks for all you are doing and the great job in reorganizing the site. I am happy to have you new rules in place for our protection. I am more than happy to retype the email addresses I wish to send rather than hot mail to protect all of us. Wish all sites did this. Welcome aboard. As always, Regina Markowicz researching surnames Covington, Bruner, Taylor, Bloodworth, and Guinn

There were many women listed as seamstresses in the 1860 Massac Co. census records and my curious nature brings up that age-old question......WHY? Do any of you know if there was a factory that hired seamstresses? Wasn't it unusual for women to work outside the home in those days? The Massac County Web Site is looking good, Cuzn Bill!! Mary Jo

Hello everyone, My most wanted are anyone who descends from these families or is anyway connected to these families. William Croach and Mary Crockett William Croach and Lucy McIntyre John McIntire and Mary (--?--) (still haven't discovered her maiden name) William McIntyre (McIntire) and Ann Elizabeth Stepter William Stepter and Evie (Ava) Porter Joe Smith and Anna Croach So if you have any connection to any of these families, please contact me. --Debbie Schnell Woolard --djwoolard@earthlink.net --debala@myrealbox.com http://worldconnect.rootsweb.com/~dwoolard

Lavana Campbell died Feb 24, 1887; 8 p.m. Age 35 yrs; married; born KY; lived in IL 22 yrs; Died of consumption which she had for 3 years. Buried in Salem Cemetery. (From Massac Co. Death records) Hope this helps Ann

Glenn, There is a real good chance that your Luvenia Minter is connected with mine. I have just started researching this line recently and don't have all the information on the Minters. This is my husbands line. His Grandfather was Thomas Minter b. 1885 in Massac Co, par. were Wesley Minter and Laura J. Johnson. Wesley was born in Robertson Co. Tn, father was Jeremiah Minter, m was America Brinkley. Jeremiah fathered 14 children. I checked the 1880 census and Luvinias' parents were born in Tn. Wesley also had a first mar. to Alice Anderson. They mar. in Tn and I am not sure I have all of their children yet. I will keep you information and let you know if I find the connection. Barb Smith