Yep, Jim......a gangster in the family. Can't let you have ALL the fun, can I? But of course, you have to understand this gangster was on my IRISH side of the family!! heheh I went to "Mafia.com" and crimemagazine, but didn't find out anything more about Elmer. Still have to check out the Mercantile Library and the circuit clerk's archives. I also just found out that my maternal grandparents were married out in Kirkwood, rather than here in the city as I'd thought all along. While telling a cousin of mine about it, on IM tonight, she informs me that my maternal grandmother's folks had a lot of land in Kirkwood back then. Now why the heck didn't my mom ever tell me that? Grandma's maiden name was Heinz, sometimes spelled Heintz, and my cousin thought that Heintz Road in So. County was named for them. Hmmmm....more leads to follow up on!!! Lordie, how I LOVE genealogy!!!! Diane T Jims505@aol.com wrote: "Heavens to Betsy Mrs T." Do you mean to say a good Catholic girl like yourself has a gangster in your family? Go immediately to "Mafia.com" for more info on the Egan Rats and rid yourself of some of your questions. You may also wish to take a look at "crimemagazine.com" for a tad more info. Then take a look out at the mercantile library for news clips. Then get in touch with Kathy Grillo at the circuit clerks Archives. Maybe that will nudge that office into finding what I've been waiting for, the last two years.----Jim PS You will be buying news clips at the Mercantile. --------------------------------- Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! SiteBuilder - Free, easy-to-use web site design software