Hello, I'm researching my family in the Vermillion area. It seems it was a popular destination for a lot of my ancestors. Here is what I have been able to surmise: In 1824, Stephen Dukes purchased land in Clark County, Illinois. This is the first appearance that I can find of him. On 12/29/1825 Rachel L. Ellis married Stephen Dukes in Edgar County, Illinois. In 1826 he purchased land in Edgar County. In 1830 and 1839 he purchased land in Vermillion County, Illinois. He appears as the head of household in Vermillion County in 1830 and 1840. I have been unable to locate him in a census before that. Rachel and Stephen had 11 children: Mary, Ellis, Sarah, John, James, Louis, Susannah, Asa, Richard, William D., and Stephen. Stephen passed away in 1846/47 as is buried in Dukes Cemetery in Vermillion County. Recently someone emailed me the directions to this Cemetery. Common names in the Cemetery are Lacey, Dukes, Ellis, and Haworth. Rachel's parents were Shobal Ellis and Sarah Wright. I have come across plenty of information on Sarah's family. However, Shobal is quite a mystery. He appears in the 1800 census for TN and the 1810 census for Ohio. He purchased land in Vermillion County in 1822, 1823, and 1830. He according to an ancestral file submittal died in 1831 in Vermillion County, Illinois. Sarah and Shobal had 9 children: Rachel, Wright, Catharine, Julian, John, Susannah, Sarah, Ruth, and Barbary. Apparently a couple of other children besides Rachel relocated to Vermillion with their parents. Concerning Stephen and Rachel's children: 1) Mary Dukes born 21 Dec 1826 in Vermillion 2) Ellis Dukes: married Nancy Bowen Cook 3) Sarah Dukes married Richard Haworth. They or their children may have relocated to California. Pearl Dukes of California (William Lacey Dukes, John Dukes, Stephen Dukes). Had several letters from a Hannah Haworth in her scrapbook. 4) John Dukes: b. 21 March 1832 m. Ruby Lacey. They had 9 children. He is listed as head of household in the 1870 census for Georgetown, Vermillion County, Illinois. His neighbor was his Uncle William D. Dukes who was single. However, he did have his mother Rachel living with him. Between 1872 and 1884. They relocated to Alpena, Jerauld County, South Dakota. John Dukes participated in the 1884 Jerauld County Fair. He purchased land in Beadle County in 1890. There is some beginning evidence that he served in the state legislature in 1891 from Beadle County. I have not confirmed his death date yet, but Ruby and John are buried in the Rest Haven Cemetery in Jerauld County. Their children: Rachel, Sarah, Mary, Martha, Susanna, William Lacey, James, Nancy, and an infant who died after childbirth. Rachel married James Black, Sarah married Robert L. Brooks, Mary married Jon Black, Martha married Edward Stark, Susannah married William Stark, William Lacey married Martha Eshleman, and Nancy married James Everett Smith. Ruby Lacey's parents were William Lacey born in New Jersey and died[according to a note by a fellow researcher] in 27 Sept 1873 in Vermillion County. His wife was Saloma/Salona Sanderson of New York. She passed away in 28 Dec 1859. They came to Illinois in 1853 I don't know the name of any other of their children besides Ruby. 5) James Dukes died in San Diego, California in 1899. He willed his land in South Dakota to his brother William D. Dukes. His descendants were actively involved in the Ramona Congretional church in San Diego 6) Louis Dukes: Rumor has it that he relocated to San Diego, California as well 7) Susannah Dukes m. George Underwood 8) Asa Dukes: ? 9) Richard Dukes: He may have served in 35 Infantry from Georgetown, Vermillion County in the Civil War 10) William D. Dukes: Head of household in 1870 census, single. His mother Rachel was residing with him. He relocated to San Diego. 11) Stephen Dukes:? I would appreciate any information or suggestions on the above families. In particular, is there a library that contains the probate/will records of Vermillion residents? I tried searching through what IRAD offered on line, but couldn't find anything. I am particularly interested in Shobal Ellis, Rachel and Stephen Dukes, and Willaim Lacey's will or probate records. -Thank You Jayson Young