Dave, What a superlative, thorough and thoughtful post in reply to my query for info from the "Commemorative Biographical Record," as it was only partially source quoted from the transcription I had! We on the list have been spoiled to anticipate no less than this quality of assistance from you, Dave. There just aren't enough ways to Thank You properly. Not only did your reply help me, but any who may have read it, as it contained some wonderful caveats for genealogists and reminders to be cautious in how we analyze our sources. Many a grain of salt blow to the four winds and some grow into large crystals of family history. I do read biographies especially with that in mind. Some of the specific information about that particular source may help any who look to it for clues. The preface stating that the sketches were "gathered" then sent in typewritten form...Is a little enigmatic. I first was pleased to see that typed information was submitted, but it's not exactly phrased that way, leaving me to wonder if that isn't one step among several that may have lead to mistakes. Your observation that these biographical records were likely written up by experienced writers, who, no doubt took literary liberty to make the book and it's subjects more illustrious to the reader, is an acute and important one. I could only add to that, the apparent likelihood that they did not have any researchers specializing in historical continuity on staff, or utilize their services in this case. Either that, or they made some grievous errors. In this instance, I left a portion of the Mary J. Shinoe bio in place as part of my reply quote, below. I have to check my regimental histories notes again, but I'm fairly certain that Lewis Shinoe's furlough and death would have taken place before the Atlanta Campaign, or at least prior to the March To The Sea. Off hand, I'd say he likely contracted illness in Tennessee or Mississippi, which eventually lead to his passing. Perhaps such a famous clip of history was added to boost the pride and ease the harsh memory of war for related family and friends. In all, I'm grateful to you for affording us your time, effort and such intelligent help in our research, and I can only hope that because it had your address on it, more folks who otherwise would delete a message with a surname of no interest to them would have read it and gained, among other things, the heads up and tips to the difference between clues and facts. Pro, amateur or beginner, I'm sure we all benefit from this, whether it's a first-read or a reminder! Thank you, Dave!! Diane PS: One thing I was hoping was a typo, and turns out is likely somewhat accurate: a surprise surname, DALGRIL. If anyone, anywhere comes across this name or related history thereof, other than the Yukon Trail, James Dalgril, Please let me know! TIA -- In a message dated 02/4/7 8:35:29 AM, dtaft@cowtown.net writes: << ..<snip>.. Unlike most traditional county histories of the 1880's era, this book is strictly a biographical volume. There are no chapters and the bio's are in not set structure that I can figure out. They are neither in alphabetical, nor geographical order. Just bio's from page 1 to 982. I due suspect that bio number 1 came at an extra price to someone. _Does the book have further information on how the biographical data was acquired, (i.e., interviewer's names, dates, supplier's identity?) As with bio's in other county histories, the information came from the family. It is unclear if they were published as written, written with assistance of the publisher or their local representative, or edited by the publisher. There is no bibliography or footnotes identifying the source of the information. It was likely a family project, however these generally contain some "flowery" language that had to have been crafted by a trained writer. In some cases, there are biographies of people who died previously. These were obviously submitted by the family. Here is the preface to the 1901 History: "The importance of placing in book form biographical history of representative citizens - both for its immediate worth and for its value to coming generations - is admitted by all thinking people; and within the past decade there has been a growing interest in this commendable means of perpetuating biography and family genealogy. That the public is entitled to the privileges afforded by a work of this nature needs no assertion at our hands; for one of our greatest Americans has said that the history of any country resolves itself into the biographies of its stout, earnest and representative citizens. This medium, then, serves more than a single purpose: while it perpetuates biography and family genealogy, it records history, much of which would be preserved in no other way. In presenting the COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD to its patrons, the publishers have to acknowledge, with gratitude, the encouragement and support their enterprise has received, and the willing assistance rendered in enabling them to surmount the many unforeseen obstacles to be met with in the production of a work of this character. In nearly every instance the material composing the sketches was gathered from those immediately interested, and then submitted in type-written form for correction and revision. The volume, which is one of generous amplitude, is placed in the hands of the public with the belief that it will be found a valuable addition to the library, as well as an invaluable contribution to the historical literature of the State of Wisconsin. THE PUBLISHERS." _Any author's/editor's notes or preface on how the subject selections were made? This is an interesting question that many genealogists may not be aware of. >From :The Researcher's Guide to American Genealogy," by Val D. Greenwood, "A feature of many local histories is a biographical section with short historical sketches of prominent citizens and early settlers in the locality. Some of these are quite authentic because the families provided the information, and others contain many errors for the same reason. Those books which specialized in biographical sketches accompanied with pictures of the persons named therein are often referred to by book dealers and genealogists as "mug books" because anyone could get his "mug" in one if he paid the fee, and no one could if he didn't." >From "Preserving Your American Heritage, by Norman E. Wright, "Many of these earlier histories were the work of commercial businesses that solicited subscriptions from local citizens to finance publication. For a price almost anyone could become prominent, and for additional fees pictures and sketches of farms and outbuildings were included. Biographical sections extolled in extravagant terms the lives of the simplest citizens, for those who could afford the subscription price. Unfortunately many otherwise stalwart citizens were not included." This is really no different than many "Who's Who" type publications done today. I have heard that many early newspapers limited obituaries and mentions of births and marriages to paid subscribers...quid pro quo. _Accuracy. You asked about this before. As stated above, there can be problems. Some could be a simple as typographical errors made in the publication process. Some could be bad memory or overactive imagination. Other information is simply "left out" for some reason. A case in point is the bio. of my GGGG Uncle, Seymour Taft, in the 1884 History of Crawford Co. Even though he married a 3rd time to Mari's (our Mari) GG-something Grandmother in 1879, she isn't mentioned, even though his first two wives were. And now, here is the biography of Mary J. Shinoe: Commemorative Biographical Record of the Counties of Rock, Green, Grant, Iowa and Lafayette, Wisconsin, 1901, J. H. Beers & Co., Chicago, Pg. 571-2: ..<snip>.. During the Civil war, in September, 1862. Mr. Shinoe enlisted in Company I, 25th Wis. V. I., and served with his regiment on the Minnesota frontier, in Kentucky and Missouri, and then with Gen. Sherman on his famous March to the Sea. While in the campaign around Atlanta Mr. Shinoe was taken sick, and his malady proving serious, he was sent home on a furlough. He died in January, 1864, after having faithfully performed his every duty as a citizen and a soldier. Dave Taft >>