I have found information on my James Wylie Willis that say's he was born in MO. The info came from the birth records of his youngest five children. I still have not been able to locate anything on his parents or siblings, so I will post again what I have in hopes that someone might recognize something. James Wylie Willis b. 19 Apr 1871 MO - d.5 Jun 1954 Belzonia, MS Married Martha Ann Harper abt. 1892 MO She was born 1872 MO and d. abt. 1912 IL They had the following children: Thomas "Tom" b. 3 Dec 1892 MO - d. 20 May 1969 Robstown, TX Mae b. bef. 1903 MO Cora b. bef. 1903 MO Infant b. bef. 1903 William Jess b. 23 Apr 1903 Elkridge, Jackson Co., IL Roy b.20 Jul 1905 Murphysboro, Jackson Co., IL - d. abt 1925 MS Lula (twin) b. 10 Oct 1907 Sumerset Twp., Jackson Co., IL Luther (twin) b. 10 Oct 1907 Sumerset Twp., Jackson Co., IL - d. 1907 at birth or shortly after Baby Girl b. 20 Feb 1911 RR 5, Murphysboro, Jackson Co., IL - d. 1911 at birth or shortly after We believe Marth Ann died having the last child or shortly there after. James Whiley packed up his children and moved from IL. He said he didn't want them to end up being coal miners like him, it just wasn't the life he wanted for his children. My grandfather, William Jess, will be celebrating his 98th birthday next month and I would really like to find some additional info on our family to share with him. If anyone has info that might help, it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks Melissa in TX