Hi folks, just got this from another St Anne researcher, Elaine < [email protected]> I don't think she's part of our list.....yet.....she certainly belongs, if any one has a connection with her Bastien family, it would be a most wonderful find for both parties. Elaine wrote---- Dear Dave: I'm looking for my grandmother. I was told that her name was Leo Bastien. She was born 3/16/1854 in Illinois. I'm not sure if they came from this area, but they were French Canadians who migrated from Trois-Rivieres area to Illinois. Leo (may be short for leocadie) might have had the first name of Mary or Margery/Marguerite. She had a brother Joseph and a sister who might have been named Caroline. She had relative named Leocadie Bastien who might have been a sister, cousin or aunt. Leo married John Woodhouse in Jackson County. They had two children and moved to Kansas. I know Bastien is a dit name. It could come from many names including: Vanasse, Rocan or Benoit. I don't know if you have any info that could help me in my search. Thank you Elaine Dave wrote Elaine, Thanks for sending me plenty of good information to look for your Bastien/Benoit family. It sure seems as if they could have been here. Both of those family names are present here in the most early days of settlement here. What I did find was in the small town of St Anne Illinois. This may be the family here...... All below items from Father Chiniquy's Ledger, St Anne 1851 compiled by Ardis Boone. (Earliest church records from St Anne) Baptism of Marie Lea Delia Bastien, 2 Apr 1854, born 16 Mar to Antoine Bastien and Merenanna Paquin, Godparents Louis Ganeille(?) & Marie Bellegarde Baptism of Noe Bastien, 26 Dec 1855, born to Antoine Bastien &______no name given, godparents Francois Ally & Desanges ROy Baptism of Marie Bastien, 21 sep 1858 born the day before to ANtoine Bastien and Emerance Paquin, no godparents listed. Baptism of Marie Caroline Bastien 21 Dec 1856 born the day before to Antoine Bastien & Marantine Paquin, godparents Francois Ally and Desanges Roy I hope this helps you on your search. Father Chiniquy's Ledger is available for sale from Ardis Boone, If you want a copy I can help you get in contact with her. You should do more looking in the small town of St Anne, Kankakee Co., Illinois and also St MArie's(Beaverville, Iroquois Co., Illinois) as these two towns are close enough to each other and had early Catholic Churches. You may also want to submit information to a St Anne list that I belong to. There are many helpful people there, you may even find a couple cousins,,,, [email protected] regards Dave King