Looks like you are having the same problem I am, working with a very common name. There are 5 James Wards listed on the Illinois State Death Index, that died in Peoria between 1916 and 1950. Two have no middle initial and died 12/28/1916 and 9/18/1917. One has the middle initial H and died March 28, 1938. I will post the Illinois State Death Index web site next, perhaps you can find him. Marie in Illinois ----- Original Message ----- From: Frank Cullison Sent: Thursday, September 25, 2003 1:54 AM To: ILPEORIA-L@rootsweb.com Subject: [ILPEORIA-L] James H. Keith/Wapella, De Witt Co. to Peoria/1860 I am trying to determine the children of Howard C. Keith the son of Hampden Keith b.1776 Bridgewater, MA who was married to Sally Bassett and moved to Winslow, ME after 1800. He is descended from James Keith who was the first minister of Bridgewater who came to America about 1662. I have the Bridgewater Town history which only goes thru to Hampden’s children, including Howard C. Keith. Howard first moved to Michigan and then to Livingston co., Illinois in the 1850's. I have found his son Willard S. in the 1880 census for Amity, Livingston Co. And I have a son Hampden 28 years old living next door to him in the 1860 census of Reading Twp, Livingston Co., I also show 4 children at home Willard S. 23, Sarah 24, Margaret 22, and Anna 9 who was born in Michigan. I also show Howard C.’s younger brother George Hampden living in the same town in the 1860 census. My problem is that I have my GG Grandfather, James H. Keith, living a few counties over in Wapella, De Witt Co., in the 1860 census, 25 years old. He was born in Maine. His daughter is later born in Vassalboro, ME. There are only a few possibilities as to who the father can be and I think I have it narrowed down to Howard C. Keith. Unfortunately I was unable to locate his birth record and have been unable to find his death date. James H. worked for Illinois Central Railroad during the 1860’s and 1870’s as a Railroad conductor. He lived in Wapella and then in the 1870 census he is living in the 1st ward of Peoria with his family. Any help on this would be appreciated. Regards, Frank Cullison ==== ILPEORIA Mailing List ==== List problems? First, read the Welcome Message that you received when you subscribed. Feel free to contact Cheryl Rothwell, LoganCty@mindspring.com