I want to pass on information about the microfilm that the Genealogy Society has purchased from the County Clerk. The cost of the microfilm was $700+. There is no denial by them of these records which include birth marriage and death records mostly pre 1916 (marriages are thru 1924 but are unindexed) and are open to the public for use both at the library and by mail. They are suggesting a $1.00 donation per page for copies and they are very protective that this is a DONATION and not a charge. Please remember that not all records are available because there was/is no record. Don't blame the Society or the Clerk for that. Early birth and death records are few as they wer not required by law. The marriage records are more complete. I suggest you write the Stephenson County Genealogy Society PO Box 514, Freeport, IL 61032-0514 for a listing of what records are available. There are a handful of volunteers of the Society trying to respond to inquires so the responses may be slow. Be sure to include a Self Addressed Stamped Envelope for all requests for information. If there are questions about this process write the Society. <<< <cook.lou@worldnet.att.net> 10/21 10:50p >>> I must apologise to all who tried to join us for the regular Thursday night genealogy chat. We must have been experiencing difficulty with Volano, I will have Frank contact them tomorrow. I did get down and talk to the County Clerk, Vici Otte, yesterday. She tells me that she gave all the old records to the Stephenson Co. Genealogy Society and they are supposed to have them at the Library, however, she hasn't gotten there to make sure. As she gets more familiar with the laws and practices, Vici plans to make other records available. However, the genealogy searches are very time consuming for her staff. Maybe we can volunteer to help. I am told that the genealogy society "denies or refuses to discuss" having the records Vici referred to. Since I am not a member I am not privvy to that info. I was also that the Society sunk a bit of change into buying some microfilm of marriage records and those are at the library and they will make copies of those records for $1 a piece. Lou -- http://www.freeportillinois.com/index3.htm ============================== RootsWeb.com now offers UNLIMITED Web space for FREE! Sign up today for RootsWeb's Freepages program: http://cgi.rootsweb.com/cgi-bin/acctform.cgi