From what I understood, people did pay to be included in the book/books. I would think that having a large book published would be quite costly unless some money had been forwarded. I have one from Logan Co., IL which is not nearly as elaborate as the ones from Sangamon or DeWitt Cos., IL - those books were so popular at that time, but priceless to us now. In Lincoln, Logan Co., the Genealogical Society had the reprint done, but asked for folks to sign up and pay in advance. I did so gladly! Marlyn Duff