If what you need *has* to be a death *certificate, * and *if* the death is 1916 through 1947, the Illinois State Gen Soc offers a service for a little less depending if you are a member or not http://www.rootsweb.com/~ilsgs/projects/deathcerts.html 2. you can either copy them yourself for the cost of the copy on site at the Illinois State Archives (1916through 1947 only). 3.The Ill Dept of Public Health also has death certificates 1916 and later - non-certified copies are $10 (be sure to specify you want a photocopy of the actual certificate - I've seen cases from other states that abstract some info http://www.idph.state.il.us/vitalrecords/deathinfo.htm However, depending upon the year, and *if a death register* entry will suffice, you can get a copy from the Belleville Public Library, including search time and copy (will be two sheets) probably for about $5 - see policy here. http://www.compu-type.net/rengen/stclair/BPL.htm The early registers 1878 contain the same info as the certificate but no original signatures. Some are more readable than the certificates but *might* also contain errors because the info is derived, not original. As you get closer to the 1920s (?) the registers contain less info than the certificates. Diane