This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/an/Fh.2ADI/5700.1 Message Board Post: There is a way to do it but I can't remember exactly how to get the information. Get into the Illinois Department of Corrections website. (Can do it via google.) There should be a place where you can click to have someone check the old records for you. (It was very easy. Seems like I had to supply certain info. as requested by them.) I was helping friends, got the information, and sent it on its way. The two men we were researching were incarcerated in other state facilities in the 1940's. I imagine you can get similar info. from Joliet. The contact person sent photo copies of the pages from the record books (not just transcripts). Some of the info. included: personal info. about height, weight, number of children, etc. also criminal history, when released, to whom, where he had to report to a parole officer. If you can't find anything through the DOC website, contact me at rchrdcck@aol.com. I'll see if I can figure out how I got to the "contact person". Sorry I ! can't be of more help. Kathleen (STANFIELD) COOK