I invite you to enter a query for your Will County ancestors by adding a comment to this page.
A few basic rules for posting your query:
- Your query must have an Will county connection or it will not be posted.
- Please put the date, your name and email address on the first line.
- Please do not post queries for tracing living individuals.
- Please do not post information on living individuals.
- Please be specific, do not just list a surname in your query.
- Please be sure to include at least one date in your query, even if its approximate.(See example)
- Please use capitalization on surname only.(See example)
Example of a good query: Looking for information on John DOE, b: abt 1842 in GA, d: unk. Family tradition has it that John came to Will County abt 1885 with friends he fought with in the Civil War.
Hello, via Find a Grave I found the death and burial of Harold E. Johnson, born Aug 8, 1902 in Illinois, died June, 1968, buried at the Oakwood Cemetery, Wilmington, Will County, Illinois.
On the same stone were is two wives Wavy and Mildred Johnson.
But the most I am interested in Harold E. Johnson, 1902-1968, and looking for an obituary or even a death certificate because of the eventual information of his parents.
According to the SSDI was his last residence; 60418 Custer Park, Will, Illinois.
So, if someone can help me with a obituary and/or a death certificate on Harold E. Johnson I would be very grateful.
Greetings, Irma
I am looking for any informant on William Ryan born in September 1915 in Joliet, Indiana.
Hello. I am researching the Chris and Sophia Salzmann family, especially Sophia’s family, the Heinrich/Henry and Dorothea Sophia Schoff family. Henry died abt 1870 in Cook Co, and Dorothea Sophia Schoff died in 1872 at her daughter Sophia’s residence. I am trying to find the location of Henry and Dorothea Sophia’s graves. Also their death dates. Any help would be appreciated! Thank you!
There is an erroneous Civil War veteran’s marker at Oakwood Cemetery, Joliet, and I would appreciate anyone willing to research it and find the correct information for whoever is buried in that grave. Photos of the marker for “Sheldon H. POST” can be seen on both Find A Grave and the Illinois Headstones websites. It would appear the marker is in a Civil war section of the cemetery. It is clearly a replacement marker of fairly recent vintage, as it is flat without the recessed shield (the government is again producing the ones with the recessed shield, however). It is also engraved with the dates “1833-1884”, which I do not know was engraved by the government or a third party.
This marker denotes that “Sheldon H. POST” was a member of Company A, 83rd Illinois Infantry. However, I have collected a number of documents showing that the Sheldon Post of Company A, 83rd Illinois Infantry was born in 1818 (Civil War draft record), was born in Broome, New York and enlisted at Monmouth, Illinois (enlistment record). He was discharged during the war for disability, returned to Monmouth, Illinois, and remarried there in 1865. He was later admitted to the Warren county alms house, and was then transferred to the Illinois Soldiers and Sailors Home in Quincy, Illinois a few months after that facility was opened in 1886 (patient #43, admitted from Warren county on 24 March 1887, Co. A 83rd IL Infantry). He died there in 1892, and was buried in Sunset cemetery, Quincy. Of all of the records I have found, not one lists a middle initial or name. I have copies of his military marker order from 1893, and his replacement marker in 1939, both showing his burial in Quincy. A photo of his marker can also be found on Find A Grave. His second wife remained in Monmouth, and was buried in Monmouth Cemetery; she received a widow’s pension. Warren county records show only one Sheldon Post in Company A, as does the original muster rolls maintained by the State of Illinois.
I have found no record of a “Sheldon H. Post” in any record source. Even if whoever is buried in the grave was named Sheldon H. Post, he clearly was not the one who served in Company A of the 83rd IL Infantry, although he may have been among about 120 other men who served in that unit and survived the war (there were no similar names in that unit). I would love to research this in person, but I cannot afford the time off work to travel 180 miles one way to Joliet. Possible helpful records would include the cemetery sextons records, local GAR records, and perhaps death certificates and newspapers or newspaper indexes.
If anyone researches this issue, please keep me informed. Thank you!
Looking for Newspaper article from an unknown newspaper published in Peotone, Illinois. Ginter, Mrs. Henry (Harriet Rowan) October 27, 1932. Need copy of original article for DAR documentation. Thanks!
“Death of Mrs. Harriet Ginter
Mrs. Harriet Ginter passed away Wednesday, October 19, at the home of her daughter, Mrs John A. Dopp of Forest Grove, Oregon.
Mrs. Ginter’s maiden name was Harriet Rowan and she spent her early years with an aunt near Jacksonville, her parents having died when she was an infant. She was 86 years old the 19th day of last March.
After her marriage she and Mr. Ginter moved to a farm northwest of town now occupied by Elmer Hagenow. they lived there until their children were grown up. They moved from the farm to Peotone and made their home here until 1925 when they went to Oregon to live with Mrs. Dopp. Mr. Ginter died June 30, 1927. There were four children. They are Dr. Arthur E. Genter, Sheboygan, Wis., Mrs. John A. Dopp,
Forest Grove, Ore., Mrs. Walter Erickson, Valparaiso, Ind,. and Wallace Ginter, of Glidden, Ia. There are seven grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
Mrs. Ginter was a woman of culture and refinement and transmitted to her children ambition and a desire for intellectual advancement.
Services were held Saturday at the funeral home in Forest Grove and burial was in Forest Grove cemetery.
Data from C.H. “Gus” Genter, ggnephew”
Looking for information on Fred (Friedrich Christian) BARTELS family, who came to Will County from the village of Meerbeck in the principality of Lippe-Schaumburg, Lower Saxony, Germany in 1869 and stayed until 1878. I have conflicting information about what church the family was associated with, either St. Paul or Zion. Looking for confirmation and baptism records or their several children and where their son Johann Heinrich August BARTELS (b. 30 Nov 1875, d. 5 Apr 1878) was buried. I tend to think that St. Paul’s is correct but need to somehow confirm this.
Hello. I am looking for any information on Christoph and Sophia (Schoff) Salzmann, as well as information on Sophie’s parents, Heinrich and Dorothea Schoff. They lived in Washington Township, Will Co, IL. Christoph and Sophie are buried in the Lutheran Cemetery NW of Beecher, and I have added information for them on FindAGrave.com. I also have their family tree information on my tree on Ancestry.com as Sophie was the sister of my great great grandmother. I am willing to share that link if requested.
I am trying to find information on Heinrich (died in Oak Park 1870) and Dorothea Schoff, Sophie’s parents. Dorothea lived with Christoph and Sophie between 1870 and 1972, when she passed away at Sophie’s home. I am trying to locate their burial sites and any additional information available on them, including church records. I also would be interested in connecting and sharing with Sophie’s descendants.
Also, it is possible that her brother or brothers, Wilhelm/William and John, may also have lived in Will County for a time. I would be interested in anything on them as well. Please feel free to email me at [email protected]. Sincerely.
I am reseaching John H Cloyes. Illinois Marriages show he married Abby Cutting in 1855 in Will County. His will show he had two children from a former wife in Will County, Elijah Cloyes and Isabella Cloyes. I can find no record of Abby Cutting Cloyes. I did find and Elijah Cloyes, age 13, living with John and Abigail Cutting, ages 59 and 54, and Inez Cutting in the 1870 census. Does anyone have further information on Abby Cutting Cloyes?
Thank you for any assistance you may provide. Please email me at [email protected]
Trying to locate information on the following individual and property:
Michael Koval
809 Williamson Ave
Joliet, Illinois
He worked for the local railroad company
I am looking for help in finding the grave of Dorothea KNUST. Her husband is buried in St. John’s Cemetery in Beecher, Washington township, Will County, IL. He died in 1906. Dorothea died sometime between 1880 (she appears in that census of Will County) and 1900 (she is absent in that census of Will County). Frederich Knust is listed as a widower in the census of 1900, living with his daughter-in-law and grandson, William.
QUERY:
DEATH/BURIAL of Elisaph SMITH 1810-1890 in Will county.
Born in Vermont. Moved to Will county in 1850’s.
I am looking for info on the PARK family. Delson also spelled Dellison in census and Cordelia “Delia” PARK married in Will County on August 24, 1863. According to Woodson Co. KS 1880 census all 6 of their children born in IL: Gertrude abt. 1865, Fred abt. 1866, Addie abt. 1868, Dellson abt. 1873, Robert abt. 1876 and Burt abt. 1878. I would appreciate any help, I’ve hit a wall. Thanks, Kristy
I am looking for information about the Matthew KOLICH family. Matt and Theresa immigrated to Joliet about 1887. Matt died in 1945 and Theresa in 1949; both are buried in St. Joseph Cemetery. In particular, I am looking for information about their son Matthew, who died in 1919 and daughter Theresa, who died between 1920 and 1930. Any other information about the family is welcome.
I am looking for information on the Heuer family. In the 1860 census, the name was spelled Hyer and in the 1870 census it was spelled Hanier. Hans Heuer was born August 24, 1826 and was married to Anna Margaret Schroeder in 1852. They had a daughter Christina, born in 1853 and then came to the US in 1854. Hans’s parents were with them and only one survived the trip to the US. I cannot seem to find any record of his parent that survived and probably died between 1854 and 1860 because there is no parent living with them in the 1860 census in Joliet, Will, IL.
I am looking for the burial location with birth and death dates of James F. Branch (1832-Jul 12, 1867), 2LT, Co. F, 20th Illinois from Will County. In 1867, he was killed in Grundy County, IL in a train collision. Info according to widow pension request.
His father Wait Branch Jr. (1801-Aug 27, 1854) is buried in Oakwood Cemetery, Will County. according to Find-A-Grave, but no photo of gravestone.
Hi all
I am looking for the grave of Joseph F. Foster. He is listed in the 1910 census at 87yrs old. He didn’t make it to the 1920 census. He is from Germany/Bavaria. He owned a farm near his daughter Mary Koerner and her husband Adam in Wilton. I have called every cemetery in the area. I drove to Wilmington and checked at library (they were of no help). The vital records state they don’t go back that far, but yet I found a Dept of Health cert on his wife Cate who died 20 yrs prior and is resting at the old catholic cemetery. Please help. Thanks Deb
Charles Taft at [email protected] July 19, 2016
I am looking for information on Samuel Taft born approximately 1815 I believe in Vermont. I believe he lived with the Bloom family as seen in the 1850 census for Rockville, Will County, Illinois. He married Harriet Franklin September 27, 1851 in Will County. I see that Harriet remarried after Samuel’s death to a Darwin Dodd on August 6, 1854. I suspect that Samuel and Harriet may have had at least one child, but cannot find any information. My Great grandfather Henry F Taft may have been one of their children born approximately January 1852. I would be delighted to share any information you could find with my father. Thank you.
Looking for information on John PETERSON, b 1840 Sweden, Supt of Ice Company, Custer Park, Il in 1900, d 1907 Chicago, Cook, Il.
Trying to confirm middle name is Peter. May have photos of him and family members.
Looking for information on Dr. A.B. (Alric/Aleric/Alaric) Mead, b: abt 16 May 1813 in CONN, d: 7 November 1879 Joliet Will County buried in Oakwood Cemetery.. Family tradition has it that Dr Mead came to Will County (Wilton Center from Ohio abt 1842 with his brothers-in-law Alfred Warner & Alonson Williams. Stayed there about 4-5 yrs . During that time the Post Office was established at Wallingford. Dr. Mead was appointed Postmaster and mail carrier between Wallingford and Wilmington (pony express). He received the procedure of the office for his service. He then moved to Joliet IL I am having a hard time finding more on him as to where he was actually born and lived before Ohio and IL. Also would like to find more documented information on him in IL.
Im looking for any info about Mary E Eisenbise. She was born Mary E Hill, married Samuel A Haldeman. She married Royal E Eisenbise in 1954. They are in the 1956 city directory. She would have been abt 77 years old then.
Two years later, her husband Royal is found in the Arcadia, California city directory, but without her. I assume she must have died between 1956 & 1058 in Joliet
Hello David, Maybe you have found Mary already but wanted to post this.
https://old.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=71597889
Died July 1957
Seeking information on WILMA JEAN FORT SMITH (also spelled Forte after 1935) — born 20 Feb 1930 in Plainfield Twp, Will County, Illinois. She died 8 August 1968, Illinois and is buried at Woodlawn Cemetery II in Joliet.
Wilma was the daughter of Warren Fort 1881-1935 of Will County, and Elizabeth Fort 1892-1969 of Will County. According to the very sparse paper trail, she married a SMITH at some point between 1947 and her death in 1968.
Does anyone know who Mr Smith was and how did Wilma Jean actually die? How did Warren Fort die? Any tips on where to research in Will County?
Thanks so much.
June 6, 2017
I’m looking for information on John & Rachael (Regina Zipf) LIKER. They were married in Joliet, Will, Illinois on Dec, 27, 1856. John was born in 1826 in Prussia. Rachael was born in 1939 in Germany, They had four sons, Joseph, An.drew, John Jr, and Martin, and one daughter, Rosa. John came to the US in 1855. I am interested in dates of death and where they are buried. as well as any other information on them and their famliy
I am looking for my Grandmother’s brother who moved to Illinois from Minnesota. He was the son of John Weir and Bridget Kelly. He died 26 May 1945 in Wilmington, Will County, Illinois and I think is buried at Mt Olivet Cemetery. His wife was Laura and I think he had a son and daughter John C and Dorothy. Would like to find his gravesite.
I am seeking the name of the Parents from Ireland of Patrick Burke, born 1830 and his complete birth date. He married Mary Gleason in Will County, IL 11/13/1855. They had 8 children. Patrick was a farmer with 2 Parcels of land (N1/2 of Section 18, twp 33, Range 12, 80A) & (E1/2 of the SW1/4 Section 5, twp 33, Range 12, 80A). Patrick died 4/19/1872 and is buried in Mt. Olivet in Wilmington, Ill.
Looking for information on JOHN GEEDESON, b: abt 1848 in Denmark, d: abt 1879. His wife was MInnie Geedeson. According to many years of City Directories for JOLIET, she was the widow of JOHN GEEDESON. I have never been able to find evidence of his death. Minnie’s given name might have been Wilhelmine Trumneer. They had two children, Harry and Clara. I am trying to find information on this JOHN GEEDESON since the name is spelled exactly like my Gr-Gr- Grandfather spelled his name and I think that they be one in the same. Thank you.
I am looking for any information on my 2nd Great Grandfather Oscar Scott Kendall, who died in Will County on July 4, 1891. Looking primarily for his parents names. Earliest information in Will County is Marriage to Minnie Clark in 1875.
Howard,
I do not have a whole lot of information on Oscar Scott Kendall, but I have some information on his wife Minnie. She was a sister to my great great grandfather, John Clark. I recently figured out who Minnie and John’s parents are. You can contact me via email or if you have ancestry, my user name is tracyperrine and they are in my Perrine Family Tree. (Some of my other stuff is a guess, but I am fairly confident about Minnie, John, and their parents.)
Shari Ameling [email protected]
I am looking for information on Herman Edward AMELING born Dec 1873 in Beecher, Will, Illinois. He is my husband’s great grandfather. I believe his parents were Doratha LENNAMANN who married August AMELING in Kane, IL in 1867. However in the 1880 census she is married to/with Louis STRUCKMAN. (1880 Washington, Will County, Illinois; Roll: T9_261; Family History Film: 1254261; Page: 504.2000; Enumeration). Additionally, my husband’s DNA results do not have any AMELING’s, and can’t seem to connect anyone on his father’s father’s side Was Herman really born to Doratha and August? Any help would be wonderful.
Hi,
I did a little sleuthing on the August that you were looking to find. If you are familiar with the familysearch.org site, you should look at KD12-BR7, Carl Heinrich August Amelung. I found some pretty solid records to indicate that this very much looks like the August you were searching for. He entered the USA in 1854 with his first wife and son Heinrich. The record on this Carl Heinrich August is incomplete as it doesn’t go on to include him remarrying after the death of his first wife and, of course, doesn’t include the info from the 1870 census where August is remarried. I went on to search for William, who is listed on the 1870 census and found him with his mother, Dora Amelung, in the 1910 Census at Will, Illinois. William b. 12 Nov 1867 Edgmont Station, Illinois d. 25 Nov. 1933 at Chicago Heights and was buried at Will, Illinois. Dora, you may already know is found at FAG b. 1832 d. 1915–same cemetery as William.
I hope this helps
Name: Mary Tilstra Email: [email protected] Posted: 22 July 2018
I am seeking an obituary and/or will record for Darius Houghton who died in Will County 25 Apr 1866. According to Find A Grave he is buried in Wesley Cemetery in Resthaven, Will County, Illinois. I am specifically trying to prove that he had a son, Leland Houghton (1808-1882), who later moved to Gilman, Iroquois County, IL. This is needed as a proof for a DAR application. While Darius was living with Leland on both the 1850 and 1860 censuses this is not adequate to prove the relationship to the satisfaction of the DAR. Any and all help will be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
I am looking for any records in existance for my ancestor Martin Sonnenberg. I know he was married in Will Co in 9/10/1859 by Father Charles Kuemin and that at least his first two or more children were baptised there by Father Kuemin in the Church of St. John the Baptist, the family was Catholic. Martin and his wife Katharina Schmidt had 13 children. Martin served in the Civil War. He came with his parents and sister from Prussia in 1854, they are listed on the Hamburg Ships lists as being born in Rogasen, Posen, Prussia. I am looking for information on what church they belonged to in Prussia if possible.
I am looking for any information, public records, biography, pictures, obituaries, newspaper articles, anything related to my relatives Dr. Joseph Perry, from Crete, IL (1820-1887), and his son Joseph Ferris Perry, born in 1846. Both of them lived in Crete, IL since 1854. There are short articles about the son in the Will Cty. genealogies. Dr. Perry was a medical doctor, who practiced in Crete from 1854 until 1887. He and his son were born in Fairfield, CT.
My Mother was born in Joliet, Il April 9,1931. She was placed for adoption in 1932. Her biological father was Meyer Wisheretsky AKA/ Wishnoff born 12/12/1900 son of Morris who possibly father 10 children that I know of. Her biological mother was Helen Ziesemer born 2/6/1903 and succumb to TB in 1933. I was also informed that Meyer and Helen were arrested at one time? Info on that would be great. Her Grandfather Morris Wisheretsky aka Wishnoff born July 4, 1870 in Russia and many similar last names owned a Bakery at 595 1/2 Chicago Street. Morris was Married to Bessi/Lena Larman/Lehrman who died of cancer in 1914. He remarried a woman named Gussie Griper who was attacked during a robbery at their bakery in 1928 and died. He also married Esther Schlossman and another woman named Beila. Any information that you may have about Morris and his family I would love to know and share with my mother who is 88 years young. I do know that Morris migrated from Russia to the UK time unknown then New York in 1908. Also, Did the address or zoning change on 595 S Chicago Street to 427 S Chicago Street? My Great Grandfather Morris leased the bakery out to Frank Soffiantini on October 2, 1923. Also what was the original address for Soffiantini’s store? Thank you in advance for your assistance.
Looking for information on Wilhelmina Wolters LANKOW. She married my great-grandfather Edward LANKOW 21 January 1877 in Will County. Three children–Martha, Minnie and William–were still alive and named in Edward’s will when he died in 1922 in Minnesota. Wilhelmina died around 1877 at the age of 29 in Illinois (I once saw proof of her death but can’t remember when or where).
There is a family page on ILGenWeb (BUSSE, LANKOW, STORBECK, WOLTER; posted by Nicole L Martin, Oct 11, 2003), but no documentation is provided.
Edward Lankow married Margaret Merimer, a Dutch immigrant, in 1890; they moved to Minnesota in 1904 or 1905 with their four children. Martha, Minnie, and William were adults by this time and did not move to Minnesota.
If anyone can find birth and death dates for Wilhelmina or any information about her three children, that would be wonderful!
Hallo.
Do anyone know the death-date of Per Albert Anderson? He was born in Ullevi,Gårdby in Sweden 23 july 1877. Albert was the uncle of my grandfather. Albert came to america 1901. He was a carpenter. The last sign of him is a registration during the war. He lived then in Peotone, Will county.John F. Hauert was his employer.
4/9/2020 Sandy Stever (Schram-Burmaster) [email protected]
abt 1874 – Christ & Sophia BURMASTER (BURMEISTER) had 9 children – farmers
looking for maiden name of Sophia – could be Coakley, Kapar or Krapie.
I’m looking for info on Conrad H Koelling (1854-1932) from Schaumburg Germany died in Crete, and Caroline Koelling (1864-1943) specifically maiden name for Caroline. They have a child Theodore Koelling (1889-1946) died Crete township.
I have the parents of Conrad H Koelling as Conrad Wilhelm Koelling 1799-1871 from Schaumburg Germany died in Monee, and Christine Eleonore Schroeder 1820-1890 from Schaumburg Germany died in Crete.
I unsure of Parents for Caroline as I can’t find her maiden name. The only info I found was maybe parents F. Christoph Koelling 1843-1932 and Catharina S Scheive 1835-1899. Not sure if thats correct because it’s based off married name.
I’m looking for any brothers and sisters of Theodore, Conrad H, Conrad W, Caroline, and Christine Schroeder
I’m trying to locate any information on Joel H Gillett. Born 4-23-1817 New York died 6-16-1896 in New Lenox Will Illinois He appears to be buried Hadley Cemetery in Homer Will Illinois His parents are Abner C Gillett and Electa (Mills) Gillette. Joel married Katherine or Catherine Maynard together they had 1 child Theodore Chaplin Gillett
I’m trying to locate some sort of death record if there is one
Seeking death record of Susan Hare living with son Ira Hare in 1870 census in Manhattan, Will Co. She was 77 at that time, born 1793.
Susan Winch was born in Massachusetts and married Daniel Hare in 1819. They raised there family in Clinton Co, NY.
After Daniel died in 1835, Susan and her son moved to Illinois. Son Ira was born in 1832.
Even a cemetery plot would be so helpful.
I am looking for information about the parents of Mary Ann BROWN born 18 Jan 1815 in New York. Mary Ann BROWN married John GREENWOOD in New York 1 Jun 1836. They moved to Will County, IL around 1840. They had thirteen children, only three survived to adulthood. All are buried in Mound Cemetery in Joliet. I have found some information about John Greenwood but nothing that gives any information about his wife.
I am trying to locate an obituary for Eunice (Gaylord) Barber b. 30 Mar 1823 New York d. 17 Jan 1863 Na-Au-Say, Kendall, Illinois and was buried in the Plainfield Township Cemetery in Plainfield, Will County, Illinois. Her husband was David Norton Barber.
Hello! Have a death certificate for an ancestor in front of me. It says he died in Frankfort Township, WIll County, IL. The place of burial is Mokena, Will County. No cemetery is listed. This was in 1880. Can anyone narrow the locations there might have been for burial in Mokena during that time period?
Thanks for your assistance.
Looking for info. on Patrick Casey, braidwood resident for over 40 years. on 1870 census for will county. died January 1916 and buried in Mt. Olivet. anything would help, thanks.
I am looking for information about BAKER, James S. born about 1793 in Westchester, New York In the July 1865, Illinois census there was a James S. Baker living in Lockport, Will County, Illinois. He was a carpenter and had a P.O. Lockport, Will, Illinois. Any information would be greatly appreciated.
Absolutely fascinating reading about Will County from the perspective of an author from 1910. My great-great-grandparents came to Joliet in Will County in 1845 from the Allegheny Mountains in Pennsylvania and from Hessen Germany to the USA and then Pennsylvania in 1832 so I have a very personal interest in what Joliet was like at that time. Konrad and Katherina Gundlach, daughters Maria Elizabeth (my great-grandmother) and her half-sister Katherine, and three half-brothers (Johannes, Phillip and Wilhelm) comprised my family. The boys changed their last names to John, Phillip and William Gunlock at some point. I’ve been trying to find out what drew them to the Alleghenys (farming, the lime quarry seem likely), what would then prompt them to go to Joliet, Illinois (farming and quarry are commonalities). I have found a number of records for the children and their offspring; no death records for Konrad (also Conrad) or Katherina (also Katherine and Catherine). I’m about to return to the Will County clerk’s office to see what I may have missed the last time I was there. My biggest mystery involves my great-grandmother: Maria Elizabeth Gundlach, who went by Elizabeth. I found records of her marrying a Ferdinand Zay in either Chicago or Joliet in 1845, having a daughter Julia in Chicago in 1847 and another, Frances in Joliet in 1855. Ferdinand was a watchmaker when he lived in Chicago but entries in the Chicago city directories for him stop in 1852, so they may have moved to Joliet about that time as Frances was born to him and Elizabeth in 1855. Then Ferdinand disappears entirely and the next thing you know Elizabeth Zay married a Charles Bull in Joliet 2/26/1858. They have a son, Charles Frederick on 12/22/1858 and then Charles the father disappears. Next thing you know, Elizabeth marries Caspar Matter 5/5/1859 when her baby is 5 months old. He takes in her three children, gives them his last name and (perhaps) adopts Charles. The girls take back Zay as their last name when they grow up but Charles remains a Matter, as does my family from there on. I’m endlessly curious about my ancestry and eager to fill in some of these blanks. I very much appreciate what you have done here and thank you for hours of fruitful and interesting reading. – Dorothy Matter Oliver Pirovano
Looking for any information on Charles Gardner (no middle name): born 1814 NY, census records indicate working as a lawyer in Joliet from 1840-1850. Married to Annis Gardner nee Dickson who died Nov 1850. I kind find no records of her death or records of his subsequent marriage to Catherine Brandon. After 1850 he appears in the Minnesota Territory census records. I think he must have been part of a circuit court – found a notice that he was suing Benjamin Chamberlin for $25 in Middleport in 1846.
I am looking for information on my family.
I know William G Rub was president of the Joliet Products Company and was fined 28 Nov 1923 for making real beer.
He was married to my Great Grandmother Samantha Pryor (Her Father – William Henry Pryor DOB 5 April 1858).
Eileen Edna Rub (August 24, 1916) was my grandmother (BIological Father Edward Paul Koehler DOB 15 Feb 1894) she was adopted by William Rub after their marriage (10-17-1920). Eileen married Ernest Cohenour. Barbara Cohenour was my mother.
I am most curious about Samantha Pryor (my nana) and her life.
Any info you may have on the Pryors would be appreciated.
LOOKING FOR INFORMATION ON THE CRAUGHWELL ONE ROOM SCHOOL LOCATED ON ESSINGTON BETWEEN JEFFEERSON AND BLACK ROAD. THE SCHOOL WAS BUILT SOMETIME IN THE 1870S ON LAND DONATED BY MY GREAT GRANDPARENTS IN THE MID 1870S.IN LATER YEARS THE NAME WAS CHANGED TO THE SCRAUGHWELL SCHOOL.
Is this site still active? I’m looking for a marriage record for George Washington Collins and Cecelia Ann Fickes on August 27, 1853 in Joliet. Wondering if it lists the place of birth or other information about George Collins. He’s a brickwall in my tree. Thanks,
Colin
Will County birth records for John G. Burke and Mary Burke:
Please send any information you have on the 2 oldest children of Patrick Burke and Mary Gleason Burke, married 1855 in Will County. Children: John G. Burke and Mary Burke.
Hi, I am doing research on my Cromwell ancestors who lived in Will County from at least 1842 to 1845. My Uncle Charles Cromwell, Esq, had dealings with the I&M Canal until at least 1849. I found him on the transcription of an 1842 Will Country Property Tax Roll on a Genealogy site. Unfortunately, the Township, Range and Land Value are not indicated, only the Property Value. I suppose that means he only owned buildings and not the associated land. But maybe the transcription from the original document was incomplete. Can anyone guide me to getting more complete information on the location of his real estate in 1842 (or around that date)? I don’t expect to find the exact address, but it would be great to get the city, probably Lockport or Joliet. I’ve identified some potential information sources, but they require a paid subscription (I already pay for Ancestry and several other sites!). Thanks for any help if you would be so kind.
I understand the Will Grundy Counties Genealogical Society has been dissolved. Can you tell me where I might find their records? I am particularly interested in the Jane Barr interview which appeared in the Quarterly issue Vol 25, Issue 4 (2007). Many thanks for any help you can give me
The Allen County Public Library Genealogy Center in Allen County Indiana has most periodicals published by genealogical societies. Check first that the article you want appears in the PERSI index (https://www.genealogycenter.info/persi/). If so, then you can request using this form (https://www.genealogycenter.info/pdf/Article-ORDER-FORM.pdf) for a volunteer at the library to photocopy the pages you need. There is a charge for this service. Since they allow up to 6 requests at once for the same amount (and then a charge per page) you should bundle your requests if possible to save yourself some money. Looks like they have your issue!