Hi Laura, You'll just love Pope County. Evelyn Fulkerson Hogg is the County Clerk, one of best people I know, she's a real jewel. She can help you with just about anything. Shaun Goins is the Circuit Clerk, he's also very helpful. The Court House is closed from noon until 1pm. The library has a new addition they're very proud of, with alot of room for genealogy. The hours are Mon. & Tues 9-5; Wed., Thurs. & Fri. 1-5; Sat. 9-12. Mildred Barger McCormick is the County Historian [as far as I'm concerned]. You can usually reach her at home or the Not-So-New Shop and that's the headquarters for the Historical Soc. You have to eat at the Dairy-Barr at least once, talk to everybody [Wanda will help you] and ask questions; stop at the Golden Circle at least once about 11am Mon-Fri. Our seniors are there for lunch and a little R&R, quilting, playing pool, talking, singing, etc. Talk to Gloria Stacey, Site Manager; Linda Killingsworth and anybody else that will talk and they all do. It's a wonderful group. Go out to Dixon Springs State Park and stop across the road at the Chocolate Factory and visit w/Linda Lewis Meherg, she also knows alot about Pope County, so does Ralph & Mark Aly at the funeral home, one of the old teachers, Bettye Lauderdale [don't tell her I said she was old], R.C. Davidson, just about anyone you meet. Stop by the newspaper office and visit with Virginia. I believe the Mansion is closed now, there's a small motel by the name of Michael's in Golconda, the State Park or San Damiano Retreat Center between Rosiclare & Golconda, 2 1/2 miles south of the Humm Wye on the beautiful Ohio. 618.285.3507. Laura, I know you'll have a wonderful time, don't be shy, ask questions. Good luck and have fun [watch out for snakes!], Judy *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Southeastern Illinois Resource Books [Pope, Massac, Johnson & Hardin] http://www.angelfire.com/il/leefoss Judy Foreman Lee *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ On Thu, 13 Aug 1998, Laura1853@aol.com wrote... >I am going to be visiting the Pope Co. area at the end of this month, for the >first time. I would appreciate any helpful advice anyone has to give me >regarding the area. I am going there to do genealogical research and also >trek through some cemeteries. One thing I would like to ask is if anyone >knows where I can locate homes that were built in that county by one of my >ancestors. What are some good >places to see there so I can get an idea of what was there when my ancestors >lived there? They lived there from the early 1800's up to about 1956, or so. >Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. >Thanks, >Laura1853@aol.com > >