Hi all - I was reading the Chicago Genealogical Society, Feb 2004 - and found some interesting tidbits I thought I would share. "Illinois State Archives" - A $10 prepaid, nonrefundable fee now is required for any document requests made from outside IL. For each out-of-state request submitted with the required $10.00 the State Archives will provide up to (2) two unofficial, noncertified copies of the governmental records that apply. Please make checks payable to the Secretary of State." "Cook County Policy Change" - Genealogical marriage records are NOT certificate documents, but are stamped "For Genealogical Purposes Only".Births that occured 75 years or earlier, deaths 20 years ago or earlier and marriages 50 years ago, or earlier classify as genealogical records. For a birth record, you must include a photocopy of a valid government identification card with your request. (Drivers license or state card.) This one really surprised me. The Heart of America Genealogical Society of Kansas City, MO (issue 145#3,2003) "The Heart of America Board of Directors met for a special session 23 Oct 2003, to discuss the future of the society. The Board's concerns centered on several areas such as: declining membership, inability to get members to volunteer for leadership positions, and the poor attendance at society meetings. This led the Board to decide that the Heart of America Genealogical Society & Library will clode ad of 30 June 2004.This will end all further activities including publications. The book collections will remain at the Mid-Continental Public Library, Genealogy Branch at N.Independence, MO. The books in the collection will be available either for use in person or through interlibrary loan. Now - THAT is definitely scary..!!!!!!!! Bette -- The new email address is now: toppline@comcast.net************ *****Hope you will visit my homepage: http://home.comcast.net/~toppline/homepage.htm You can find my ahnentafel chart at http://home.comcast.net/~toppline/antafl.htm