Posted on: Morgan Co. IL Query Page Board URL: http://cgi.rootsweb.com/~genbbs/genbbs.cgi/USA/Il/Morgan?read=236 Surname: CHARLES SAMPLE ------------------------- I have several ancestors that held public office around 1856. I plan to visit Morgan and Macoupin County the middle of July, and am wondering WHO to contact to see if there might be photos or artist renditions of these individuals. The geneology assoc? the court house? Library?.. does any one know? I have only 2 days to try to visit Morgan and Macoupin Counties and want to make the most of the visit. Any information would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

Victoria, by all means go to the Morgan Co. Genealogical Society! They are extremely helpful and Mary Alkire knows EVERYBODY. (Tell her hello for me and that my research is going well.) At the courthouse (not far away) the ladies there are very helpful but you can only look at the indexes to the records and can't get copies of them without knowing an exact date or names, then it costs $7 for each copy whether or not it is the right person! Rather steep if you're only guessing. I could have found a lot more information had I been able to look directly at the books. Up in the probates dept. I handed the clerk the numbers I wanted and she brought the boxes out for me to look at then made copies for me for quite a reasonable sum, something like $1 for the 1st page and .25 for every additional copy after that, I think. The regular library has very little information so I wouldn't even bother with it. Macoupin Co. Gen. Society (Carlinville)has a nice museum and they have some obituaries there but not much else. The library in Carlinville is where most of the genealogy stuff is kept. Dorothy Woods is their main researcher person and there are files and local biographies,etc. The library has microfilmed censuses and plenty of stuff to look through including obits on file. The obits have no index so you have to know the aproximate death date . If you need to go to the courthouse you will find the ladies there are great, there is access to a copy machine both there and at the library. They will let you paw through any records all by yourself. There were no parking problems at either the library or courthouse in Carlinville, but Jacksonville was another story. We ended up parking at the regular library and walking over to the courthouse. Be sure to try a search for wills and probates at both courthouses because there is so much information available on them if you can find one. If you can find anything on the indexes online before you go and get the numbers it will save a lot of time. I just got back from a similar trip there and gathered enough info that I probably won't have to return again. It was a good experience and everyone I met was very helpful. Good luck with your trip and if I can give you any other hints write me off the list. Carol Dugger Napa,CA