While I do not pretend to be a historian of any sorts, our daughter is a cultural anthropologist, and I do find myself interested in the history of regions in which I have lived. Since starting this new hobby, I have really tried to read everything legitimate that comes my way on the history of the area in which I grew up. May I make some observations that might assist those of you interested in the topic of Blacks in Williamson County? First, I suggest that you check whether or not Illinois was ever a slave State. As I recall, it was not. Missouri was a slave State and this differential caused major strife between those folks between the rivers. There is a book published by SIU Press "Land Between the Rivers" which touches on this topic. Folks are correct in pointing out that most of the early settlers did, in fact, come from slave states. The Herrin Massacre was really a union (mine) struggle and a horrible one at that. In the past few months I saw an excellent scholarly write up on this terrible incident. If I find it, I shall post the web address. I believe it would have occurred regardless of colors of skin. Bloody Williamson's focus is on the "gang days" in Williamson County. The famous picture of Charlie Burger (Berger??) hanging in the square is most striking. While I am not suggesting that Williamson County ever embraced Blacks with open arms (just the opposite, I'm sure), I doubt that these references will provide the documentation of unjust treatment which you are seeking. In Williamson County, there was a very small town (???/area) known as Culp. It was between Herrin and Carterville. Many Black families lived in Culp--probably because it was relatively safe for them. Sorry I can't be of more help. By the time I grew up, the single Black person in our town was a wonderful person and athlete--and well respected by his fellow high schoolers. In looking back, I believe that with SIU Carbondale being in our area, folks became much more accepting of folks who just weren't like them. After all, the more exposure one has to folks "not like them"--the more we realize we are all so much alike!!! I'm guessing that most folks really into genealogy quickly learn that they are mixtures of so very many races and religions. That alone would have to be an eye opening experience for any racist. I, for one, am glad I did not grow up and experience the daily injustices which must have occurred in our parents' time. Jo Ann