I am searching for parents of John William Willis in Hancock County and McDonough Counties in Ill. John William Willis b. 1832 in Kentucky, county not known to First Name Not Known Willis and I believe his wife's first name Nancy last name not known. After over 30 years of a brick wall because of unknown names and counties I believe thanks to Statewide Illinois Marriages online, McDonough GenWeb site and census records and I note I made while talking to an older relative 30 years ago that I may have located John William Willis' mother. Nancy Willis is head of household in 1840 McDonough Co. Census[this corresponds with family tradition that John William Willis father died when he was very small and his mother remarried.] there was 1 male child and two female children. Mrs. Nancy Willis married Robert Boyd , 28 January 1841 at McDonough Co., ILL On the 1850 Census Nancy is again a widow. She and children in McDonough Co. Nancy Boyd Married to John Gibson, 19 September 1854 in McDonough Co., Ill Nancy and John Gibson are on the 1860 McDonough Co Census. This is the last record I've found of Nancy Unknown who married an Unknown willis in Kentucky bef 1832. Nancy's son John William Willis married Martha Ellen Mauk in Harmony Twp. Hancock County, Ill. in 1855. They are on Hancock Co 1860 census with Allen Boyd a half brother living with them. They lived in Hancock county until 1886 when came went to Kansas. They were members of the Primative Baptist Church both in Illinois and Kansas. John William Willis (1832 - 1909) Spouse: Martha Ellen Mauk (1837 - 1902) Married 3 February 1855 at Hancock Co., Ill..(Marriage Cert. Goves middle name Ann which I feel is an error) Children: 1 Ambrose Franklin Willis (1855 -d. young ) 2 Nancy Amdesteia Willis (1859 -d. young ) 3 Ida Belle Willis (1861 - 1931) m. Mastin Cox in Hancock Co. Ill. 4 Samuel Lee Willis (1864 - 1939) 5 Devia Franzetta Willis (1868 - 1944) m. McCoy in Ks. 6 Cora Mae Willis (1871 - 1934)m 1 Setzer in Ks. m 2. John Jenkins a first cousin. 7 James Allen Willis (1873 - ) m. Myers in Ks. 8 Perna Elizabeth Willis (1876 - 1942) M. Myers in Ks. 9 Elsie Maude Willis (1880 - 1907) m. Myers in Ks. Would like to know death date of Nancy Willis Boyd Gibson and the first name of her Willis Husband. Any help appreciated. Nancy Willis