This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: Ruidl, DeSmedt, Haner, Minick, Lawrence, Nance, Beakley, Orr, Butler, Meneley, Ingram, Hickman, Mankey, Woodcock, Ring, Bond Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/QFC.2ACE/773 Message Board Post: I'm trying to find anything on these two families. The Ruidl's were from Black Forest, Germany, and the DeSmedt's were Belgiums. The oldest Ruidl's I have are Edward and Karl Ruidl. I know nothing more on Karl, but Edward was born 1874, Germany, and died 4 Feb 1941 in St. Louis Co., Mn. Edward married Cathrine (Kathrine) Ann Ziegler (b. 1885, d. 25 Jul 1952 St. Louis Co., Mn). They had about 8 kids -- Dorothy, Michael, Edward 'Eddy', Patrick 'Pat', Loraine, Mary, Alice,and Selina (Sally), I've been told by family members and friends that it was thought that Edward had been briefly in Wisconsin before coming on to Minnesota. It's also believed that he came to Wisconsin straight from Germany. The oldest DeSmedt's I have are: Charles 'Carolus' and his wife Elodie. Charles died mysteriously in a barn fire accident in Belgium before Elodie and her children came over to the U.S. The Children are as follows: Maurice Joseph DeSmedt (b.13 Feb 1894 - Belgium, d. 16 Jun 1975, Duluth, Mn. -- married to Rosie Mosiniak), Aime, Marshall, Ester, Elsie, Mary, Omer, Robert, and Albert. I wish I could verify all this for my family's sake! If anyone can help me I would GREATLY appreciate it! I don't have ANY idea where else to look!

Hi, FYI - I was reading the Walworth County Week classifieds, and I noticed that someone is selling a red leather-bound edition of the History of Walworth Co. 1880 for $200. I'm not sure if this is the well-known Walworth Co. history book that everyone mentions. Perhaps the person selling it is even on this list. Anyway, it was too pricey for me but maybe someone here would appreciate it. Kristi