All SMOCK researchers, Recently a very valuable piece of information from JoLene <[email protected]> came my way regarding Martin Madison SMOCK (aka Madison or Matt) of Southeastern Illinois. In the Hardin Co., IL death certificate of Martin Madison SMOCK it was learned that his father was Barney SMOCK. This fact has finally connected Madison to his rightful place in the genealogy of the SMOCK family. Also it gave the married name of one of his daughters, Mary Catherine (Smock) SHETLER. There remain other SMOCKs whose connection is probable, but not defined. Case in point is Thomas SMOCK (1821-1902) whose parents are unknown. The fact that there was only one SMOCK family in the region of Southeastern Illinois at the time of Thomas' birth strongly suggests that he is of this SMOCK family, but the specific SMOCK parent is not revealed. Because the death certificate of Martin Madison SMOCK has been there for the asking and it has just now been located, causes me to question whether there were death certificates issued as early as 1902 in Hardin Co., IL. and, specifically, is there one for Thomas SMOCK. Is anyone in a convenient location to check this possibility out? Best regards, Hugh