Kerry: Thanks for the tips re the IL libraries, but we live in CA so it's a bit difficult for us to make that many different libraries. We know that the Newberry Library in Chicago, the Allen County Library in Ft. Wayne and the Willard Library in Evansville, IN are also super genealogy resource centers...and then, of course, there is my favorite...the Family History Library in Salt Lake City. But, here is another one which is of great assistance for the counties (DeKalb and LaSalle) to which the HOWELL POWELL family traveled via covered wagon from Boston: The Northern Illinois University Library in DeKalb, IL. Thanks again. Jo-Ann SEITZINGER