The Genealogy Search

I came across this copy of a 1891 Plat Map of Avena, Fayette, Illinois.  I thought it would be interesting to highlight all the landowners with names in my family - here is the result: Alden, Ogle & Company. (1891).  Plat book of Fayette County, Illinois . Chicago: Alden, Ogle. So now I know why the Durbin's, Dial's, Clark's and Logue's intermarried. Looks like some in depth Fayette County research is necessary.  

Mary Elizabeth (Durbin) Clark, with Charles and Margaret Dial late 1940's? in Fayette County, Illinois. Photo from Cora Miley.

I am in Kings Mountain, North Carolina, the current home of my parents.   I have confiscated mom and dad's pictures and I have been busy scanning.  I can't wait to share some of the pictures I located.  I found one of my Uncle Bruce, my Aunt Maxine's high school graduation, some interesting pictures of my Aunt Wilma and Uncle John, some wonderful blackmail pictures of my cousins.   I visited Illinois prior to North Carolina and had a wonderful time catching up with my family at the reunion. The picture above was shared by my Cousin Zena of her Grandfather, Grandmother, Aunts and Uncles.  My Grandfather Otis Clark was her Grandfather Charlie Dial's half brother.   I visited the folks at the Decatur Genealogy Society Library in Decatur, Illinois. They have a nice sized library that includes periodicals, Illinois county books, state books, and clip files.  The best part of the library is the people that volunteer their ...

This past week has been a busy one.  I sent out a letter to the Fayette County Court in Illinois to locate additional court filings on my Great Grandfathers probate file.  Previously I had located some records on a film at the Family History Library, however, the film noted that several record books were not filmed.  I requested a copy of an entry for Richard Poundstone of Bement in the 1929 Roll of Honor at the Illinois State Archives. I also sent away for death certificates on some collateral relatives.  I was lucky to connect with a new Clark/Dial relative on Ancestry and Facebook.  If all goes well I will be meeting a new cousin on my next visit to Illinois.  A status hearing for the accused murderer of my Uncle Bruce will be taking place on June 17 at the Macon County Courthouse in Decatur, Illinois.  Once the trail date is set I'll visit Illinois to attend the trial, meet new relatives and do some more sluething in the area, and deliver some of...