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Archiver > ILEDWARD > 2001-06 > 0991596252


From: Donna Colyer Hunt <>
Subject: [ILEDWARD] EC Hist Soc & records
Date: Sun, 03 Jun 2001 15:24:12 -0400


Hi all, since Terry is still busy with taxes, I will update you on the
activities of the historical society in Albion.

Currently volunteers are working on cemetery indexes to be printed and
sold, example cemeteries stating with letter A-F, then G etc. Cemetery
books were done several years ago, but this will be a more comprehensive
effort and hopefully, ultimately, all cemeteries will be included.

Lois and other volunteers have done a tremendous job of cleaning,
painting and refurbishing the building itself. Looks great.

Completed are notebooks containing copies of death certificates going
back to about 1877, indexes are done by name of decedent.

There is at least one other project in progress by a volunteer, but I am
not sure just what it is about (grin).

Other records at Hist Society to name just a few:

Surname Files
Obituary Files
Microfilm of selected old newspapers
1820-1880 Edw Co Census both state & federal
County Hist Books
Surname specific histories
Back issues of numerous genealogical magazines
Death Records
Marriage Records 1815 & newer
Copies of the following books about Edwards Co-
Flowers Hist of the English Settlement
Prairie Albion '
Letters of an English Gentlewoman
Two Years Residence.....diary of John Woods

They also have many records for surrounding counties, some IN, KY & TN
Records and tons more I cant think of right now. The place is a gold
mine of data.

They also have a very nice museum with lots and lots of interesting
"stuff".

Albion Courthouse Records

County Clerk Ron Mason and his assistants Carolin & Gloria are just
wonderfully helpful. They have birth, death & marriage records going
back to abt 1877. They are indexed and in fabulous condition. They also
have land sale transactions, including some of the early Federal Sales
starting 1818. All land sales are indexed by both seller and buyer. Both
Ron and the ladies are knowledgeable about land sales, plats,
descriptions etc. They have helped me more than I can ever thank them
for.

Patsy Taylor, Circuit Clerk and her great staff also are the keepers of
the county court records both criminal and civil going back to 1818.
They have Probate and Guardianship records, indexed by name. In many
cases, they have handwritten copies of wills dated as early as 1820.
They also have the early naturalizations records, tho those are rather
sparse. Everything is in really great condition, and the staff will
assist you with whatever copies you need.

Lois Goodson is the backbone of the Historical Society. Since she
retired from her "real job" she has donated untold numbers of hours,
both working on special projects, hosting guests at the historical
society itself, doing research requests, painting, cleaning, mowing and
searching out cemeteries. I dont know what we would do without her.

Researching in Edwards Co has spoiled me, their records are great, they
are helpful and friendly and they have never had a courthouse
fire!(knock on wood!)

For those of you who are not members of the Historical Society, I invite
you to join and if you live close, to visit and volunteer. Its a
wonderful place to spend an afternoon or evening.

For the fastest response via regular mail, send all correspondence to:

Edw Co Hist Society
C/O Lois Goodson
318 N 5th St
Albion, Il 62806

I just cant get her online!

--
Donna Colyer Hunt

Researching the following Edwards Co surnames:
Abby, Applegath, Bond, Chalcraft, Colyer, Hands, Longbons, Snidle,
Stennett, Thread, Warmoth.
With interest in:
Gill, Bunting, Chism, Stone, Smith, Birkbeck, Pell, Pickering, Ile,
Shupe, Clark, Newport, West

Collyer/Colyer/Collier etc Webpage
http://www.midamer.net/users/colyer55/

the above link will take you to my searchable database which contains
approx 4000 names, most from Edwards Co. Click on SURNAMES, then click
on MY COLYER LINE.

Warmoth Webpage & Maillist
http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~warmoth


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