>From what I've have learned in 1795-1805 when it was the Illinois Territory there were but one or two counties in which to keep records and those were mostly in French...If some one discovers any information resources please let me and the rest of us know about it. Jimmie

Thank you Hugh for that information. I have put it in my file. David McKELVEY [email protected] Free Pages on McKELVY/McKELVEY http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~allmckelveys/Index.htm County Coordinator for: RANDOLPH COUNTY, ILLINOIS http://www.rootsweb.com/~ilrandol List Manager for: [email protected] Randolph County Genealogical Society visit: http://www.rootsweb.com/~ilrcgs/ ----- Original Message ----- From: <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Thursday, July 24, 2003 7:21 PM Subject: Re: [ILRANDOL] early Illinois > > In a message dated 7/24/03 10:04:29 PM, [email protected] writes: > > << From what I've have learned in 1795-1805 when it was the Illinois > Territory there were but one or two counties in which to keep records and > those were > mostly in French...If some one discovers any information resources please > let > me and the rest of us know about it.>> > ____________ > > Jimmie, > > I have spent some time looking for records of the area that includes Cave > in > Rock, (now Hardin Co., IL) during the time frame you cite. While still NW > Terr, the Co. seems to be KNOX. It became Randolph Co. 1795 and was such > when IL > Terr was established in 1809. Since IN Terr was est in 1800 and IL Terr > in > 1809, it seems to me that IN should have some records of the area. The > first > Census of the area, as IL Terr., was in 1810. What I suggest is that we > not be > limited to IL records. > > Best regards, > Hugh > > > ==== ILRANDOL Mailing List ==== > Welcome, Please send an email to the list showing in all capitol letters > your SURNAME'S (only) that you are researching. > > ============================== > To join Ancestry.com and access our 1.2 billion online genealogy records, > go to: > http://www.ancestry.com/rd/redir.asp?targetid=571&sourceid=1237 > >

Virginia, please contact me. For some reason, I cannot send email by hitting reply on your email letters and when I type it in myself, it does not work. Velda Wittenbrink Moore Randolph County Genealogical Society visit: http://www.rootsweb.com/~ilrcgs/

There are some old wills available that are in VERY LARGE books. I will copy them for you for $1.00 each plus postage. I am going to list some of them. Let me know if you want to buy a copy of them. They usually run 2 pages, but I can put both pages on one sheet of paper, so that would only cost you $1.00. If it is more, you pay more. This is really hard work for me. E. J. Burbes (daughter Agnes) book M-168 Cleland, Robert book M-173-174 Edmiston, L. Roy M-86 Ederer, Stephen J. M-260 Schmidt, Philip M-235 Burbes, Mary N-45 Heinen, Wm. N-47 Hrmon, Lacy N-212 MacKenzie, Nellie M N-263-264-265-266 Schifferdecker, Lidwina N-89 Schuette, Fritz N-163 Uhles, Anthony N-60 Schoenberger, L. J. N-211 Feegle, Mary book O-184 Gant, Anna O-52-61 Ledbetter, Wm. H. O-270 Robb, James F. O-49 Schuette, Albert E. O-209 Derousse, Chas. P-248 Herschbach, Emma P-220 Herschbach, Henry P-286 to 288 Morrow, Martin L. P-179 Morrow, Anna B. P-187 Parrott, Emma L. P-50 Roos, Mary P-133 Schmidt, Wm. H. P-189 Dial, Wm. R. Book Q-99 Grah, Robert H. Book Q-245 Howie, James M Q-22 Herschbach, Edward Q-122 Roos, Agnes I-90 Schuette, August, Sr. J-271 Gant, Robert J-25-26 Schmuck, Chas Schmuck, August book G There are more! Velda Wittenbrink Moore Randolph County Genealogical Society visit: http://www.rootsweb.com/~ilrcgs/

All LOCKARD descendants are invited. WHERE: Cleburne County, AR Hill Creek Recreation Area, Greers Ferry Lake, AR WHEN: October 4, 2003 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. WHAT: Annual Lockard Reunion. Bring a covered dish to share and drinks for your family. NO ALCOHOL PLEASE. HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE. For more information contact me at [email protected] _________________________________________________________________ STOP MORE SPAM with the new MSN 8 and get 2 months FREE* http://join.msn.com/?page=features/junkmail

I had to send out a mass email because of all the help that I was getting I wanted everyone to know how appreciative I am for this site and for the people helping. In just one week I have learned that my relatives were on the 1860 census in Chester then all moved to Fountain Bluff sometime between then and 1870. The family grew from Elijah Adams and Eliza (Warren) Adams and 3 children (Lucy, John and Thomas), when they were in Fountain Bluff they had added James and Daniel and a servant Emma Anderson. (Lucy and Thomas were gone by 1870 so I think they were married or moved, not sure.) The 1870 census info revealed that the first two children born to Elijah and Eliza were born in MO. so I believe that is where Elijah and Eliza were first married then moved to the Chester area. Thanks Dave, Randy, Velda and everyone else. I look forward to driving up there very soon to visit and get some history for my father. Thanks again, Bill Adams Descendant of Randolph County (143 years ago)

I stayed at the "Stone House" in Chester and I agree whole heartedly!!! The owner is wonderful, the location (within walking distance of the genealogical society and court house) perfect and the view...breathtaking (it overlooks the Mississippi). I know that when I do research in Randolph County it will be the only place I stay. Madonna Davis Marks

The Reid Inn is good, but if you really want comfort and a bit of history, try the Stone House in Chester. Built in the 1840's, it has everything you could want. Check out the website at http://www.bbonline.com/il/stonehouse/. I must admit a bias: this was my home during the fifty's and sixty's. The current owner has done a wonderful job restoring it. This past April it was the site of a great family reunion. If you want pampering and the amenities usually found in much more expensive accommodations, give it a thought. Connie Jones (one of the Parrish family, currently living in San Diego) -----Original Message----- From: Darlene Burzynski [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Sunday, July 20, 2003 14:29 To: [email protected] Subject: Re: [ILRANDOL] Hello Randolph Searchers Does anyone have a phone number for the Reid Inn? Darlene Researching Acker, Reis, Rosche, Weingarten, Goedelmann ----- Original Message ----- From: <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Sunday, July 20, 2003 12:40 AM Subject: Re: [ILRANDOL] Hello Randolph Searchers > The Reid Inn in Chester is the only really decent place to stay..... > > Désirée de Nantes > > > ==== ILRANDOL Mailing List ==== > Welcome, Please send an email to the list showing in all capitol letters > your SURNAME'S (only) that you are researching. > > ============================== > To join Ancestry.com and access our 1.2 billion online genealogy records, go to: > http://www.ancestry.com/rd/redir.asp?targetid=571&sourceid=1237 > > ==== ILRANDOL Mailing List ==== Welcome, Please send an email to the list showing in all capitol letters your SURNAME'S (only) that you are researching. ============================== To join Ancestry.com and access our 1.2 billion online genealogy records, go to: http://www.ancestry.com/rd/redir.asp?targetid=571&sourceid=1237

Darlene, Hope this helps Best Western Reids Inn 2150 State St Chester, IL 62233 Phone: 618-826-3034 Fax: 618-826-3034 I did a quick search using Google, check the following links. http://unitedstates.biz/il/chester/hotels/bw-reids-inn-tn176801.html http://illinois.all-star-hotel.com/chester_hotels/best_western_reids'_inn.html http://travel.yahoo.com/p-hotel-387845-best_western_reids_inn-i Regards, Joel At 05:28 PM 7/20/2003 -0400, Darlene Burzynski wrote: >Does anyone have a phone number for the Reid Inn? >Darlene > >Researching Acker, Reis, Rosche, Weingarten, Goedelmann

Does anyone have a phone number for the Reid Inn? Darlene Researching Acker, Reis, Rosche, Weingarten, Goedelmann ----- Original Message ----- From: <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Sunday, July 20, 2003 12:40 AM Subject: Re: [ILRANDOL] Hello Randolph Searchers > The Reid Inn in Chester is the only really decent place to stay..... > > Désirée de Nantes > > > ==== ILRANDOL Mailing List ==== > Welcome, Please send an email to the list showing in all capitol letters > your SURNAME'S (only) that you are researching. > > ============================== > To join Ancestry.com and access our 1.2 billion online genealogy records, go to: > http://www.ancestry.com/rd/redir.asp?targetid=571&sourceid=1237 > >

The Reid Inn in Chester is the only really decent place to stay..... Désirée de Nantes

Hello Randolph Searchers, My name is Bill Adams and my family were members of Randolph County and this is where I have hit a brick wall. My search stopped with the 1860 census posted on the great Randolph Website. Elijah Adams (mis-spelled Eliza) and Eliza Warren Adams had at least 3 children in Randolph County, Lucy, John, and Thomas. John is my GG Grandfather. John married twice but I only have the marriage record of the second to Isabella Franzia Drake both were living in Jackson County in Fountain Bluff. I have been trying to find information though I am not good at it. My father, who is aged and feels his time is near, want me to drive him to Randolph county in the upcoming months to see if we can find anything about Elijah and Eliza or any of the children they had. I would greatly appreciate any help from someone so we don't come back empty handed from our trip there. Any suggestions on where to stay while we are in the area would be nice too. Chester is where Elijah and Eliza were on the 1960 census. Thank you. Bill Adams

Hello, I'm looking for information on Michael Jones, an early land office official and Kaskaskia official in the early 1800s. One source I have shows his death as 1822. I need confirmation. I'm also looking at what may be another Michael Jones of Shawneetown. I'm trying to determine if they are two separate people. Sincerely, Jon Musgrave www.IllinoisHistory.com

Leah, I need your address please. Velda Wittenbrink Moore Randolph County Genealogical Society visit: http://www.rootsweb.com/~ilrcgs/

Roger that. I'll send it sometime in the next 2 weeks. In anycase, it will be there when she gets back from vacation. Hmmmm ahhhhh thinking of Hawaii (here it's 102degrees outside n calif) -Cheryl. <<From: Velda Moore Take care of this right away. She is going on vacation.>

Virginia has done the reprint of her book. Postage and toner have gone up, so therefore she told me to tell everyone, "The book will cost $16.00 which INCLUDES POSTAGE AND HANDLING." WRITE TO VIRGINIA AT HER HOME!!!!!!!! GIVE HER YOUR ADDRESS! SEND YOUR $16.00 for each book. Take care of this right away. She is going on vacation. Virginia Mansker 1061 County Road 5 Rockwood, IL 62280 Velda Wittenbrink Moore Randolph County Genealogical Society visit: http://www.rootsweb.com/~ilrcgs/

Would Leah Zimmerman please contact me. Velda Wittenbrink Moore Randolph County Genealogical Society visit: http://www.rootsweb.com/~ilrcgs/

Interesting story. According to Lucille Wiechens' cemetery books, Silas Taggart was born Sept 14, 1843, and died Jan. 5, 1928. His wife, Sarah J. was born Oct 1, 1845, died July 4, 1937. Barb Bolesta

The following is an undated, unsourced newspaper clipping from a scrapbook titled: Pioneer Families of Randolph County, Illinois located at Genforum of Oregon, in Portland, Oregon: "Death Claims Silas Taggart, Civil War Vet Randolph County Volunteer Took Part in 46 Battles and Escaped with One Wound Silas Taggart, a Civil War veteran well known in Randolph county, who won the Medal of Honor for bravery in the War of the Rebellion, died at his home in Willisville last Thursday night at the age of 84 years, 3 months and 22 days. The remains were taken to New Palestine in this county, Sunday, and interred in the New Palestine cemetery beside the graves of two of his children who died in infancy. he was given a military burial, the Rogers-Taft Post No. 331, of Willisville, and the B.B.K. Post No.480, of Steeleville, participating. Taps were sounded and a military gun salute fired at the grave. Rev. Grace, of Murphysboro, officiated. Mr. Taggart was born near Chester and spent most of his life in the vicinity of New Palestine and Steeleville. However, he resided in Willisville for a number of years. Classmate of Bryan At the age of 16 he entered law school at Jacksonville and it is said he was a classmate of the late William J. Bryan. He did not complete his law studies as his patriotic energy was greater that his desire for knowledge, and at the age of 18, on August 20, 1861, he enlisted as a private, and re-enlisted as a veteran January 1, 1864. He was mustered out July 17, 1866 (?) as a corporal, receiving his honorable discharge with a medal of honor. After participating in forty-six battles and one hundred skirmishes, his only injury was a minor wound received in 1863. He was a member of the 30th regiment of Company C. After returning from the war, (he) engaged in farming. He was united in marriage with Sarah J. Nixon, daughter of the late William Nixon. His widow, seven children and four grandchildren survive him. Two sons who reside near the pacific Coast and one daughter in New York City could not reach his bedside before death came. Thus passes another of the few remaining heroes of the Civil War and a deep solemnity pervaded the throng attending the last rites at New Palestine, Sunday. His friends were made more solemn by the though that not one of his old comrades remained to attend and it will be but a few years before none of the old warriors of the 60's will be soon at the burial of a war hero. Martha Richards near Seattle

Virginia Mansker is planning on a reprint of her book Obituaries of the Rockwood Area. I was wrong about the amount it would cost. I will be $15.00 and that includes postage. DO NOT SEND YOUR MONEY YET. Wait until she gets the books printed. I will still answer anyone who wants to find out if their relative's obituaries are in this book. MANY Chester people's obits are in it because either they or a relative lived in the Rockwood area at one time. Velda Wittenbrink Moore Randolph County Genealogical Society visit: http://www.rootsweb.com/~ilrcgs/