Hi All: Please check this out re: "save the old cemeteries" An on-line petition is available at: http://www.PetitionOnline.com/sg0001/petition.html While the petition is set to go active on July 4th and run until October 1st, it has already been signed and is working well. Very soon there will be a petition available to print off and carry with you to get hard copy signatures. Genealogy Society meetings & parents of Boy Scouts who work on cemeteries for badges are just a couple of groups that would be good places to start. We are hoping to have it available very soon. When the necessary work is completed, that petition will be available at: http://www.savinggraves.com/petition/index.htm The following message is available from the on-line petition to help spread the word about the petition. You will receive the cut-and-paste message in a confirmation letter after you sign the on-line petition. Remember, don't sign the on-line petition AND the hard copy petition. The less duplicate signatures, the better our chances of getting a legitimate petition to the law making bodies. .............................................................................. ........................................................... Dear Friends, I have just read and signed the online petition: "National Cemetery Protection Act" hosted on the web by PetitionOnline.com, the free online petition service, at: http://www.PetitionOnline.com/sg0001/petition.html I personally agree with what this petition says, and I think you might agree, too. If you can spare a moment, please take a look, and consider signing yourself. Best wishes, Robert J. Middleton .............................................................................. ............................................................. If anyone wants to read more, please go to : http://www.savinggraves.com Lets get the job done--right! Robert J. Middleton Box 1114 Ladysmith, Vancouver Island BC Canada V9G 1A8 Phone (250) 245-5643 email [email protected] Washington County IL ILGenWeb Co-ordinator Washington County IL Mail List Washington County IL Web Page http://mypage.direct.ca/m/mid/northam.html

Howdy Folks, At Marci's request -She twisted my arm by long distance- I have added a page to the IL Trails - Washington County, Illinois web site. This page contains ten photos taken before she fled Illinois for the West to "hide out" in Nevada. You know, I think that they still might do lynchings out that way. the URL : http://www.iltrails.org/Washington/cems/ashl/ash~sss.html Wayne

The government Land Office (Bureau of Land Management) keeps upgrading the database at www.glorecords.blm.gov so I recommend everyone give it a try again. When you want to search for records, it will ask for a zip code. After that you can search by state and name, just surname if you want. The names shown in blue have an image to call up of the actual deed or patent for government land, whether purchase, homestead, or desert land entry, etc. The red ones will need to be sent for. It's all explained in the database. Jerry in Idaho

I think the idea of forming a genealogical society is wonderful. I would join, even though I am hundreds of miles away. But I had some thoughts I thought I would share: 1. Genealogical societies are often thought of as either a) bastard children of the historical societies or b) a group of crazy meddling people who like to pry into others' private lives, 2. I think that a society might get more respect if called something like the Washington County Family History Society. 3. I know that there are researcheres in the Freeburg, Marissa, and St. Clair societies that are actually Washington County researchers. Perhaps going to their meetings and recruiting would be a good idea, especially Marissa. Russell

At 12:23 AM 6/28/00 -0500, you wrote: >Wanda Gronehart? Spelling is wrong but everyone in the court house knows >her. She has= done alot of the work on marriages and other info in booklets >for Washington county. She is one of few who can arrange and meet for a tour >of the musuem. > >Wil +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ It's Wanda GROENNERT and she lives on Co. Hwy. 1, Nashville. Spoke to her a week ago. Over the winter she helped proof read the 1830 Wash. Co. census book with us. Wanda is now retired from The Hist. Soc., but I don't think there is anyone in the county that knows more about what's at the court house (even the basement) than her. Wanda told me last week she used to come and go as she pleased at the court house, but no more. Things have changed. A few years ago Wanda helped me alot by going to the court house to search records for me. (now retired) If I lived in the county I would try and get together with some of the Wash. Co. "listers" and try and bribe her with a nice lunch, just to listen to old stories, and her opinion. I think I'm about 3000 miles away from the county, is there anyone else that could do that? Robert

o SOCIAL SECURITY DEATH INDEX UPDATED FOR AUGUST AND SEPTEMBER 1999. NOW INCLUDES 62,259,198 NAMES. RootsWeb's implementation of the Social Security Death Index now includes full updates for August and September 1999. As you may recall, the previous August update included no entries (deaths), only corrected entries. We received a corrected August 1999 update at the same time that we received the regular September 1999 update. Both are now included. Please remember to use RootsWeb's Post-Ems to correct entries you know are in error or to leave a note for other researchers. You can access the Social Security Death Index at <http://ssdi.genealogy.rootsweb.com/cgi-bin/ssdi.cgi>.

A reply to my letter to IRAD Rec'd Oct 1999 Mr. Middleton, Thanks for your interest in and support of the IRAD program as well as your continued expression of concern for Washington County's public records. The Illinois State Archives has recently received an unusually large number of similar expressions of concern about Washington County records and efforts are underway to inquire into the situation and to offer Washington County officials the services of the Illinois State Archives and IRAD. Our goal, as ever, is not to interfere in county business or attempt to coerce county officials into something that will not benefit them and Washington County. We do have the resources to assist the county officials in the task of preserving valuable county records while making them available to researchers, local historians, and genealogists. Our services include microfilming of historically valuable records and placement of non-current records in a regional depository. These services are provided at no cost to the county and state law guarantees that records placed in a regional depository remain accessible to county officials, again at no cost to the county. Our interest in Washington County includes a desire to obtain copies of marriage records so that they can be included in the Illinois Statewide Marriage Index, a database that was just recently placed on the State Archives Web site. Washington County is one of only 18 counties not currently represented in this database and we are anxious to get access to these records for this enormously popular project. The Marriage Index was used for more than 425,000 searches in the first 10 days it was online. Again, let me assure you that efforts are underway to make assistance available to Washington County officials, and I will let you know at such time as there is anything new to report. We really appreciate the concern you and many others have expressed and hopefully your efforts and ours will not go unrewarded. Sincerely, Karl Moore Robert J. Middleton

Wanda Gronehart? Spelling is wrong but everyone in the court house knows her. She has= done alot of the work on marriages and other info in booklets for Washington county. She is one of few who can arrange and meet for a tour of the musuem. Wil ----- Original Message ----- From: "Kay" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Tuesday, June 27, 2000 5:22 PM Subject: Re: [ILWASHIN] Wash. Co. Hist. Soc. > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: <[email protected]> > To: <[email protected]> > Sent: Tuesday, June 27, 2000 2:11 PM > Subject: Re: [ILWASHIN] Wash. Co. Hist. Soc. > > > In a message dated 6/27/00 11:07:11 AM Central Daylight Time, [email protected] > writes: > > > > > I notice the Wash. Co. Hist. Soc. does not include "Genealogical". > > > > Can any of the Wash. Co. "listers" figure out a way to try and get their > > support ??? > > Was told one time it might be a "tough task". > > > > Robert > > Robert, > I tried to get someone to let us in to the Museum and was told that only a > handful of members are active at all and to call when I was there and maybe > someone would come let us in. I couldn't ask people to drive 2 or more hours > to go and maybe get in. I was trying to set a date so we could go & be sure > we could get in. It is open a couple of days around Christmas for some kind > of stroll or something. > Delores > > Delores the stroll is in Okawville! And their museum is open during that. > Nashville has the house tours. Sorry that I haven't gotten into this > discussion > before now. Was away for a few days and didn't see the inquiries. Even > living in the county, I don't know exactly who to ask about this museum. > > Gloria, are you out there and if so please, stand up and be counted. haha > > > > Kay from Washington County > > > > >

----- Original Message ----- From: Lois Davis 454-6192 <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Friday, July 30, 1999 10:18 AM Subject: [ILWASHIN-L] washington county i am distressed to hear that some of you are having such bad experiences while visiting and doing research in Washington County. I am lucky enought to live fairly close and can visit there. I have never had a bad experience at the court house or the library. Everyone has been extremely helpful and friendly. I have not had any contact with the historical society. the museum never seems to be open even on sundays during the times it is supposed to open. there may not be much we can do to bring the library and historical society around to the genealogists way of thinking. Perhaps those of us that are close enough should seriously consider starting a separate genealogy society. maybe we can even start the first "Virtual Genealogy Society". we seem to be able to share information quite freely and aptly via the internet and web. I think its been wonderful reading the postings of those willing to do lookups and research along with theirs. (thanks, Marci!) i just wanted to share my thoughts on this Lois Davis ==== ILWASHIN Mailing List ==== Visit the Washington County ILGenWeb genealogy page at: http://mypage.direct.ca/m/mid/northam.html

----- Original Message ----- From: <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Tuesday, June 27, 2000 2:11 PM Subject: Re: [ILWASHIN] Wash. Co. Hist. Soc. In a message dated 6/27/00 11:07:11 AM Central Daylight Time, [email protected] writes: > > I notice the Wash. Co. Hist. Soc. does not include "Genealogical". > > Can any of the Wash. Co. "listers" figure out a way to try and get their > support ??? > Was told one time it might be a "tough task". > > Robert Robert, I tried to get someone to let us in to the Museum and was told that only a handful of members are active at all and to call when I was there and maybe someone would come let us in. I couldn't ask people to drive 2 or more hours to go and maybe get in. I was trying to set a date so we could go & be sure we could get in. It is open a couple of days around Christmas for some kind of stroll or something. Delores Delores the stroll is in Okawville! And their museum is open during that. Nashville has the house tours. Sorry that I haven't gotten into this discussion before now. Was away for a few days and didn't see the inquiries. Even living in the county, I don't know exactly who to ask about this museum. Gloria, are you out there and if so please, stand up and be counted. haha Kay from Washington County

Hello All, Most newspaper editors require that any "Letter to the Editor" be signed and include an address. This is so they can verify that it is being written in the "real" sense and not just some person playing around, or whatever. If memory serves me correctly, Ann Landers used to get a lot of mail by "college pranksters". In political situations, some untrue "mud-slinging" would take place. In addition, a lot of the editors, will publish a letter with "Signature withheld by request" as the signature in the publication, but still require the original to have a signature, etc. For the Washington County Historical Society : During the 1970's and early 1980's this society consisted of a lot of dedicated members as the Washington County Historical and Genealogical Society. My understanding is that with the passage of time, aging of the members and the demise of others; the result was that "Time Took It's Toll". Without new members, they had to reduce their functions. Today, about all that is left is the Historical Museum. It can be visited by appointment only. It appears that there is not enough interest by anyone residing in Washington County to create current updating or activity of the society. The courthouse is run by elected officials of the county. The voters that VOTE have the final say in who is elected. If you look at the history of the county officials throughout the years, you will find the same surname recurring down through time. Even some of the name changes are from marriage into a family line. Well, anyway, a lot of their general consensus is that there are "Skeletons In The Closet". They are afraid of tainting the family name if these facts should ever become known. The above dissertation is my two cents worth (opinion) only and is not documented in any way. Thanks for letting me "Bend Your Ear". Wayne

VERY GOOD point of view from Delores. But, I was told by Kay the "Editor" likes a signed "snail mail" letter, not email. We can check this out. Robert. "I wonder if a Letter to the Editor of the Nashville News would get published. I have been seeing a few lately. Maybe most people in the county don't realize that in the event of a catastrophy (Fire, Eathquake, Tornado etc.- all fairly likely happenings in the area at some point in time) all their records would be lost. And without copies, no backup system is in place." Delores Riley

Hi All: I notice the Wash. Co. Hist. Soc. does not include "Genealogical". Can any of the Wash. Co. "listers" figure out a way to try and get their support ??? Was told one time it might be a "tough task". Robert J. Middleton

Hi All: When I wrote the following to the list, it was not to imply that anyone needed "A KICK IN THE BUTT". Sorry if anyone took it that way. We are all "brainstorming to find a solution to the records problem". Some great ideas/plans are being suggested and worked on by both "insiders and outsiders". What would happen if 200 of us on the mail list lived in Washington Co. I wrote: You saw my long letter yesterday, and my point was: You who live in Wash. Co. "GET YOUR BUTTS IN GEAR". If some of us "outsiders" lived there, we could really get something going. I'm tired from working all night the last four nights, guarding a public bldg. so nothing happens to its records due to vandals or fire. Robert

In a message dated 6/27/00 11:07:11 AM Central Daylight Time, [email protected] writes: > > I notice the Wash. Co. Hist. Soc. does not include "Genealogical". > > Can any of the Wash. Co. "listers" figure out a way to try and get their > support ??? > Was told one time it might be a "tough task". > > Robert Robert, I tried to get someone to let us in to the Museum and was told that only a handful of members are active at all and to call when I was there and maybe someone would come let us in. I couldn't ask people to drive 2 or more hours to go and maybe get in. I was trying to set a date so we could go & be sure we could get in. It is open a couple of days around Christmas for some kind of stroll or something. Delores

At 10:50 AM 6/24/00 -0600, you wrote: >Olga Lucille MIDDLETON about 1922 of Hoyleston > >Robert, any connection? Jerry in Boise Good to hear from you, and thanks for the name. I would have to find out first if OLGA is a Middleton or married a Middleton, or just happened to move into the county after the fact??? Not a Wash. Co. Middleton. The only Middleton in the 1860 census is in Okawville Twsp. married to a German lady. (part of my tree) Where did you find the OLGA Middleton Name ? Did I miss something on the mail list ? 1922 is a bit "modern" in my research, my father was born in 1916 and Olga is not in the direct line of my Wash. Co. gg grandfather. You saw my long letter yesterday, and my point was: You who live in Wash. Co. "GET YOUR BUTTS IN GEAR". If some of us "outsiders" lived there, we could really get something going. Robert

Hi ALL: Can anyone help Agnes with this??? She wrote me and asked: "Question: On the list of Graves with Headstones, dated 1 Aug 1988, I found my Great Grandfather name, in the St Anthony's Parrish. I presume that means that there was a stone with the name "Henry BOES. on it, right? I asked a cousin to go down and take a picture if possible. She was unable to find a stone with that namae, Where could it be now and would it be possible for me to get a picture? Thank you, Agnes Boas [email protected]" Thanks, Robert Robert J. Middleton Box 1114 Ladysmith, Vancouver Island BC Canada V9G 1A8 Phone (250) 245-5643 email [email protected] Washington County IL ILGenWeb Co-ordinator Washington County IL Mail List Washington County IL Web Page http://mypage.direct.ca/m/mid/northam.html

At 07:39 PM 6/26/00 -0700, you wrote: >My last inquiry wasn't answered. What reason does the county give for not >wanting the records copied? They won't be removed, if >that is a concern. Anna D. Hi Anna: Only thing I ever heard was they thought IRAD took them and kept them, they don't want to lose them. Other than that, guess they just plain don't want anything to do with it. Robert J. Middleton

Kay, could it be that when you type the first page it actually goes past the assigned bottom margin ? If this happens, a second page will be fed out of the printer even if there is nothing printed on it. Try typing a page 1/2 full and see if this still happens. Nancy ----- Original Message ----- From: "Kay Suckow" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Monday, June 26, 2000 8:06 AM Subject: [ILWASHIN] Off-Subject > Can anyone tell me why my printer prints on only every other sheet instead of each sheet? This wastes alot of paper. > Thanks,Kay in Colorado > [email protected] > > >

My last inquiry wasn't answered. What reason does the county give for not wanting the records copied? They won't be removed, if that is a concern. Anna D.