USA > Illinois > Greene County > History of Greene and Jersey Counties, Illinois : together with sketches of the towns, villages and townships, educational, civil, military, and political history; portraits of prominent individuals, and biographies of representative men, History of Illinois > Part 41
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109 | Part 110 | Part 111 | Part 112 | Part 113 | Part 114 | Part 115 | Part 116 | Part 117 | Part 118 | Part 119 | Part 120 | Part 121 | Part 122 | Part 123 | Part 124 | Part 125 | Part 126 | Part 127 | Part 128 | Part 129 | Part 130 | Part 131 | Part 132 | Part 133 | Part 134 | Part 135 | Part 136 | Part 137
In 1827, Lewis Elliott, Sr., settled in what is known as the Lynn Bottom, in English township. He remained there one year, and then removed to Macoupin county, near the present site of Medora. From there he removed to Choteau's Island, Madison county, and thence to Ruyle township, this county, in 1848.
In the fall of 1829 Samuel Erwin came to what is now Jersey county and lo- cated on Macoupin creek.
Samuel Erwin, an old settler of this county, and a prominent citizen of Eng- lish township, was born in Wilson county, Tenn., June 19, 1811, his par- ents being Samuel and Agnes (Wear) Erwin. The former is a native of South Carolina, and the latter, of Scotland. His early life was spent upon a farm, where he remained until 24 years old, with his parents. In 1828 the family came to Illinois and located in Jefferson county, where they remained two years, then came to this county (then Greene) and located on Macoupin creek. There he remained seven years. Mr. Erwin was among the pioneers of the state, and effected a settlement where every-
341
HISTORY OF JERSEY COUNTY.
thing was in a state of natural wildness, and endured the privations incident to such a life with a fortitude and determi- mation known to but few persons. He was married April 6, 1836, to Susanna Brown, a native of St. Louis county, Mo. They are the parents of eight children, six of whom are now living- Thomas J., Lucy V., Laura, James M., Mary E., and Douglas. Those deceased were William H. and Ilannah. His wife died May 24, 1879, and was buried in Lebanon cemetery. Mr. Erwin has 200 acres of land. He has for 30 years been a member of the Lebanon Baptist church.
J. D. Erwin is a Jersey county man, having been born here Aug. 3, 1853, his parents being Samuel and Susanna (Brown) Erwin. The former is a na- tive of Tennessee, and the latter of Mis- souri. The subject of this sketch was brought up on a farm, and has always been at home with his parents. His education was obtained in this county, at the Jerseyville schools, two years, and afterwards this instruction was sup- plemented by a two year's course at Shurtleff college, Upper Alton. He was married Oct. 23, 1879, to Rhoda Rowden, daughter of James and Eliza- beth Rowden. They are the parents of three children-Jessie, Louie and Susie. Mr. Erwin is a member of the Lebanon Baptist church. Ile cultivates 200 acres of land on section 14, is a good farmer and an enterprising young man.
James Rusk came to what is now English township in 1529. He was born in South Carolina.
Hugh Rusk, deceased, son of James and Priscilla ( McDow ) Rusk, was of Irish descent, and was born in North Caro-
lina, March 15, 1816. When 8 years of age he came with his parents to Illinois, and located in what is now English township, where the greater portion of his life was spent. He followed the occupation of farming, having had a farm of 203 acres left him from his father's estate. He was married to Ellen Barr, Feb. 14, 1841. Five chil- dren where born to this union, of whom two are living- John W. and Thomas J. Those dead are-Naney E., wife of L. N. Bridges; Mary P., and Julia A., wife of J. Arter. Mrs. Rusk died in May, 1851. In Jan., 1853, Mr. Rusk was again married, to Martha Crain, daughter of Silas and Rhoda Crain. They had eight children born to them, four of whom are dead-James E., born Feb. 23, 1854, died in Oct., 1856; Silas H., born March 3, 1855, died in Oct., 1856; Zachariah, born in Dec., 1861, died in Nov., 1863; Charlotte J., wife of J. Roberts, born Nov. 24, 1856, died May 30, 1875. Those living are-Emily C., born April 9, 1860; Ellen D., born May 10, 1863; Minnie N., and Franeis O. They also brought up Charles H. Bridges, whom they adopted. Mr. Rusk's death occurred on the 1st day of Dec., 1851. He was a kind and indul- gent husband and father, an upright, honest man, and a good citizen. His loss was deeply felt by his family, and by all who knew him. Mrs. Rusk now owns 80 acres on section 18, where she resides.
Moses Martin, a native of North Car- olina, came to English township in the early part of 1829, and settled upon Sec. 26, where he lived for some time when he moved to Sec. 30 where he died. The latter event occurred in 1840.
342
HISTORY OF JERSEY COUNTY.
He is buried on the farm he lived on, on the "Black Oak" mound, south of the Catholic church. He was known as one of the best citizens, and was much respected. He was a member of the Methodist church. H was twice mar- ried. His last wife was a Mrs. Beatty, of Cincinnati. His son, by his first marriage, named George, is now living west of Jerseyville, in English town- ship.
George Martin, a respected citizen of English township, was born in St. Louis county, Mo., Dec 5, 1819, being a son of Moses and Elizabeth (Carrico) Mar- tin, the former a native of North Carolina, who died in 1840, and the latter a native of Kentucky. In 1824, the family moved to what is now Jersey county, where George was reared upon a farm where he remained until he at- tained his majority. He followed mill- ing at Barnett's mill four years, then enlisted in the Mexican war and served one year, participating in the hard fought battle of Buena Vista. He re- turned from the army in 1847, locating then on Sec. 35, English township, Jersey county, where he had purchased 40 acres of land. This land was heavily timbered and he immediately set about clearing it. He now owns 100 acres on Sees. 35 and 26, which is all cleared and in a high state of cultivation. Mr. Martin was married Aug. 15, 1839, to Hannah Biggers, by whom he had four children, only one of whom is now living, Gilbert. Leonard was killed at the battle of Shiloh; John died from siekness, near Vicksburg, while serving his country, and Moses died in infancy. Mrs. Martin died Jan. 2, 1847, aged 23 years. Dec. 31, of the same year, Mr.
Martin was married to Permelia Hinson Beggs, and by this marriage has five children-Letha J., born Oct. 2, 1848, now the wife of Henry Dabbs, of Eng- lish township; Vincent M., born Dec. 11, 1852; Mary, born Feb. 23, 1855; Almenia, born in 1860, now the wife of George E. Henson, of Otter Creek township, and Elizabeth, born May 1, 1862. Mr. Martin has worked hard for what he possesses and is now enjoying the results of his past labor.
Ezekiel Chance made a settlement within the limits of Jersey county in the fall of 1829. He was born in Wayne county, N. C., Dec. 10, 1798. In 1804, his father moved to Virginia. Ezekiel moved to Wayne county, Ky., in 1816, where about two years afterwards he was married to Mrs. Ruth Stuart nee Peters. 1n 1828, his wife dying, he dis- posed of his property in Kentucky, and came to Illinois, locating in Madison county, where he remained one year, then came here as above stated, and located on section 13, Otter Creek town- ship. In 1831 he settled on a farm on section 28, this township. In Dec., 1831, he was married to Elizabeth, daughter of Philip and Polly Grimes. They had three children, all now de- ceased. He is now numbered with the dead. He was buried on the old home- stead, at hs own request.
John Cope, also, settled in this town- ship in 1829. He remained at that loca- tion until 1846, when he removed within the present corporation limits of Jersey- ville, where he died in 1850. He was a Pennsylvanian by birth. He was a quiet citizen.
Among the settlers of the year 1830, in this locality, was Uriel Crain, who
343
HISTORY OF JERSEY COUNTY.
located upon a farm on section 15. He lived on the southeast quarter of that section until about 1835, when he died.
There was a store at what is called the Black Oak Mound, in 1834. George Smith ran it. He had been here some time before starting the store. He ran this place a few years, until the town of Saulsbury was started, in the western part of the county, when he removed his stock over there. He remained there several years, and then went to the Platte Purchase, near St. Joseph, Mo., where he still engaged in merchandising, and became very wealthy. He died a few years ago.
EDUCATIONAL.
The first school in what is now Eng- lish township was taught by Galen Me- Kinney, in a little log house on section 23, about 1823. Among the first schol- ars were: J. T. Grimes, James, Philip, Eleanor and Amanda Darr, Hester, Elizabeth and Lucinda Grimes, a daugh- ter and son of Harmon Hatfield, Harri- son and Eliza Colean, and Nathaniel Darneille. Galen Mckinney, the teacher. went back to Tennessee, whence he had come.
The first frame school building in dis- triet No. 1 was erected in 1850, by John Cowen & Son. The present school house was built in 1864. It is 20x28 feet in ground area. The average attendance is about 17. The district embraces sections 11, 12, 13, 14, and the southeast quarter of section 10.
The school building at present used in district No. 2 was erected in 1879, at a cost of $550. It is 24x36 feet in size. The first teacher in this building was Jacob Tuscher. William Myers is the present pedagogue. The average at-
tendance is about 22. This district embraces the west halves of sections 5 and S, and all of sections 6, 7, 17, 18, 19 and 20. The first school house in this district was built of logs, and was called the Armstrong school house. It was built about 1832, on the southwest quarter of section 20. The ruins of that early building are still on the site. Its use was discontinued about 1849. School was then held in a small house on Thomas Roberts' farm, on the north- east quarter of section 20. About two years later, a building was erected on the northeast quarter of section 8. This served until the present building was constructed.
District No. 3 embraces sections 28, 29, 30, 31, 32 and 33. The school build- ing is located on the northwest quarter of section 32. The first building was a log house, built about 1840, a little to the south of the present edifice. Among the first interested in this school were the families of Christopher and John Kirchner, F. Heitzig, a potter, and others. The present building was con- structed about 1860.
Included in district No. 4, are all of sections 4 and 9; the west half and a part of the east half of section 3; east of sections 5 and 8, and the west half of the northeast quarter of section 10.
District No. 5 embraces all of the south half, the northeast quarter, and a part of the northwest quarter of section 23; the west half of 24, all of 25, 26, 27 and 34, and the north half of 35 and 36. The first school in this district was held in a log house on the southeast quarter of section 25. John Sloan taught the first school here, about 1830. The next teacher was Thomas Richard-
-
344
HISTORY OF JERSEY COUNTY.
son. A log school house was built on the southeast quarter of section 25. Thomas Richardson was the first teacher there. School was kept there until 1860, when a log building was erected on the northwest quarter of section 36. In 1869 a building was erected on the northeast quarter of section 26, which has since been remodeled and forms the present school house.
The present school house in district No. 6 was erected in 1852, at a cost of about $300. Piatt Schaffer was the con- tractor. The building is 18x24 feet in ground dimensions. An average attend- ance of 30 scholars is kept by this school. The district embraces all of sections 15, 16, 21 and 22, and a portion of the northwest quarter of 23.
District No. 7 had its first school building in 1856. It is 16x22 feet in size, and was constructed by Jesse White, at a cost of about $300. Its average attendance is 15 pupils. In- cluded in this district are sections 1 and 2, and a part of 3.
District No. 8 embraces the south half of sections 35 and 36.
CEMETERIES.
The first person buried in the Salem cemetery was James McGee, who died in the year 1854.
In the Lax cemetery an interment was made in 1830, being the body of Silas Crain, Sr.
Brown's cemetery was laid out by John Brown. It was for a time a pri- vate cemetery, used by the family. Mr. Brown afterwards deeded it to the county. One of his children was the first person buried there.
Grimes' cemetery is the name of an- other burying place in English town-
ship. A member of the Grimes family, a child, was the first one buried in this cemetery. That was in the year 1828. This cemetery is on section 23.
St. Mary's cemetery is the burying ground connected with the Catholic church of the same name in English township.
IHISTORIC ITEMS.
The first white child born in what is now English township, was J. T. Grimes, commonly known as "Tram" Grimes. He was born in January, 1820, and his father was Philip Grimes one of the early settlers.
The pioneer school of this township was taught by Galen Mckinney.
Rev. Jacob Rhodes, a Baptist divine preached the first sermon.
The first justice of the peace was Cal- vin Pegee.
RELIGIOUS.
The building of the Lebanon Baptist church was erected in 1850. The first minister was Rev. Jacob Rhodes.
St. Mary's Catholic church is located on section 30.
Rev. Frank J. Reinhart, pastor of St. Mary's church (Catholic), near Fieldon, was born in Germany, April 20, 1834. Ile is a son of Lawrence and Frances Reinhart, also natives of Germany. Father Reinhart was reared in his native country and received a liberal educa- tion, becoming fitted for a priest. He began his life work in the old country, where he remained till 1864. In that year he immigrated to the United States. Landing at New York he proceeded westward to Alton, and thence to Quincy, where he had charge of the German Catholic church about 15 years. Ile now makes his home at Fieldon.
-
345
HISTORY OF JERSEY COUNTY.
PROMINENT AND INFLUENTIAL CITIZENS.
Among the more enterprising and in- telligent citizens of the county, are many residents of this township. We notice the most of them in this connec- tion.
Lloyd T. English, a farmer of English township, is a native of this county, and was born March 8. 1848, being a son of John N. Sr., and Elizabeth (Belt) English. Tho former is a native of Kentucky, and the latter of Illinois. The subject of this sketch was brought up on a farm, spending his youth in the various duties incident to such. a life, and in attending the common schools of the county, where he was mostly edu- cated. Ile was married April 3, 1873, to Sarah E. Goodman, daughter of David and Rebecca Goodman. They are the parents of two children-Lizzie and Robert C. His wife died Feb. 15, 1883. Mr. English owns 280 acres of land, all of which is under cultivation. His place is well improved and bears evidence of the thrift and enterprise of its owner. He takes a commendable interest in public affairs, and has been highway commissioner and is supervisor.
Horatio N. Belt, Sr., was born in Maryland, in 1796, his father being Francis Thomas Belt. When H. N. was but a child, his parents removed to Bed- ford county, Va., where our subject was principally reared. When 19 years of age, he entered the service of the United States in the last war with Great Britain, and served under Jackson, in that war. Hle returned to Virginia from the army, and shortly afterwards the family removed to the state of Tennes see. H. N. was married while in that state to Miss Anderson. By that mar-
riage there were two children-Francis T., who adopted steamboating as a pro- fession, and run the first flatboat on the Illinois river, and was blown up on the steamboat Saluda, at Lexington, Mo .. with 300 others, he being captain of the boat. His remains were sent home and buried in the Lax cemetery, with his wife, where his son, George, erected a handsome monument over their remains. The other child died in infancy. From Tennessee the family moved to Illinois, locating near Troy, Madison county, where the father of H. N. died. Thence H. N., with his family, removed to St. Louis, in 1831. Thence he removed to Calhoun county in Aug., 1833. In Sept., 1833, he bought an improvement in Jer- sey county, on section 22, Rosedale township. There he remained till 1835, when he removed to section 15, English township, where he remained till 1854, when he removed to Fieldon, where he lived until his death, Jan. 8, 1870. His second wife yet survives him. Her name was Mary J. West. She was also a native of Virginia. They were married in St. Clair county, in the spring of 1821. By this marriage there were 11 children-Elizabeth N., wife of J. N. English; Lloyd T., living in New Or- leans, steamboating; John II., subject of a following sketch; Wm. Anderson, deceased; Mary Jane, deceased; Vinson W., deccased, one of the firm of Belt & Bro., builders of the Union mill, in Fieldon; he died in 1854, and is buried at Salem cemetery; James H., ex-sheriff of the county, now living in Bunker Hill; Martha Frances, deceased; H. N. Belt, Jr., now a banker in Bunker Hill, Ill .; George W., deceased in infancy; Virginia, wife of C. S. Olney, merchant
346
IIISTORY OF JERSEY COUNTY.
of Fieldon. H. N. Belt, Sr., is buried at the Salem cemetery, on seetion 16, English township, on the farm of John 1I. Belt.
John H. Belt, one of the early settlers of the county, and a prominent citizen, was born in Madison county, Ill., March 10, 1827; his parents being Horatio N. and Mary (West) Belt, both of whom were native Virginians. The former died Jan. 8, 1870, at his residence in Fieldon, and his mother yet lives at that place, at the advanced age of 80 years. John H. was reared on a farm, and worked for his father until 19 years old. Ile then went to Calhoun county, and was there engaged in agricultural pursuits three years, then moved back to this county, where he purchased 160 acres of land, and lived on the same. In 1854 he moved to Fieldon, and built the Eugenie flouring mill. In 1864 he moved back to his farm, bought 240 acres more of land, which has since been his home. Soon after moving back he completed a fine two-story resi- elence, of brick construction, 22x44, with an L 18x32, having all the modern improvements, including a MePherson wrought iron furnace, heating the house by steam. Ile has a beautiful home, and is now in the enjoyment of a com- petency fairly won. He was married, Oct. 10, 1847, while a resident of Cal- houn county, to Matilda Bramlett, of Jersey county, daughter of Elkana and Sarah ( Lofton) Bramlett. Iler father was a native of Virginia, and her mother of Kentucky. They are the parents of eight children, six of whom are living- William O., Walter S., Floyd T., Hel- ena M., George W. and John II. Those deceased were-Ilelena, who died April
12, 1856, and Isadora, who died Aug. 15, 1856. Mr. and Mrs. Belt are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian church at Fieldon, of which society he is the present pastor. He owns 400 acres of land, and has considerable property. Mrs. Belt's mother, Sarah Bramlett, makes her home with them. She is now 82 years old, and has been a con- sistent member of the Cumberland Pres- byterian church for 50 years. She has been afflicted with blindness about eight years. Mr. Belt's father built one of the first houses at Jerseyville, in 1834, one of the first store buildings, and the first blacksmith shop. He has thus witnessed the development of this county, and been an important factor in transforming it from a state of natural wildness to a desirable, well settled country, teeming with wealth and pros- perity.
Joseph B. Schroeder was born in Portsmouth, N. II., Dec. 24, 1821. He is the second child of a family of four children of Charles II. and Hannah Schroeder, who were both natives of Pennsylvania, and of German and English descent. In 1838 Mr. S. re- moved with his family to St. Louis, and about 1845 his wife died in that city. He survived her death until 1847. Mr. Schroeder served in the war of 1812, and was for a considerable portion of the time clerk to the captain of the rev- enue cutter of the privateer service. His wife's father, Dr. H. Y. Carter, was a surgeon in the army during the Revo- tionary contest. Joseph B. was edu- cated principally in the schools of Del- aware county, Penna., where he laid the foundation of a knowledge of the rudiments of a common school educa-
347
HISTORY OF JERSEY COUNTY.
tion. When about 14 years of age he beeame an apprentice to learn the coach making trade. In the fall of 1840 he went to St. Louis, where he resided until Jan., 1841, after which he eanie to Illinois, landing at Grafton. After a stay in that place of a few days, he rode over to Otter Creek prairie, and there formed a partnership with William Montgomery, in wagon making. This partnership lasted about nine months, when he carried on the business alone until 1844. On the 16th of May, of that vear, he was united in marriage to Priseilla Patterson, daughter of Maj. Gershom Patterson. an old resident of this eounty, who was born in Kentucky in 1796, and eame with his parents to Illinois the year following. They set- tled in what was then called the New Design, at which place his father died. His mother was again married to Wil- liam Dennis, who was killed by the Indians, thus leaving her with only the support of young Gershom. After he had grown to manhood, he went to Kentucky and brought back his cousin, Eleanor Cooper, to visit his mother, and in the year 1819 they were united in marriage. By this union he had five children, one of whom is yet living. In March, 1820, he removed with his fan- ily to the present limits of Jersey county, and on the 5th of Jan., 1821, entered a body of land and immediately commeneed to improve the same. On the breaking out of the Black Hawk war he enlisted, and was soon afterward eleeted captain. He proceeded with his men to join the army, stationed at Rock Island, and after the treaty was effected and the army disbanded, he re- turned to his farm. He was a short
time after commissioned major of militia by the governor of Illinois. Maj. Patterson and wife were both members of the M. E. Church. He was a man of the old style of hospitality, genial and courteous to all. As a far- mer he was successful, and at the time of his death owned about 1,800 aeres of good land in Jersey and Montgomery counties. In polities he was a whig. Mrs. Patterson died at their home, Nov. 10, 1853, and on Jan. 24, 1856, the major was married to Mrs. Mary Mabee. Mr. Patterson died Jan. 30, 1857, and his wife survived him until Jan. 20, 1870. Joseph B. Schroeder and wife have had five children, four of whom are yet living. Their eldest daughter Nellie, is the wife of L. L. Hereford. After his marriage Mr. S. settled on the farm where he now re- sides, living in a rude log cabin which was almost surrounded by forest trees, and in that dreary solitude he eom- menced to elear a farm. Few men of our day would have the pluck to go out and eneounter those hardships, but possessing industry and energy, he was suceessful in the accomplishment of his designs. At the age of 16 Joseph be- came a member of the Methodist Church, his wife being a member for many years, also. Mr. Schroeder's first vote for president was east for Henry Clay, and after the whig party was disorgan- ized he joined the ranks of the democ- racy, to which he has ever afterward strongly adhered. He is also a member of the Mystic tie. Quite a relic of the family is a set of candle sticks, snuffers and tray. They were handled down to Mr. Schroeder's grandfather, who was almost 100 years of age at the time of
318
HISTORY OF JERSEY COUNTY.
$
his death, and from him on down the line of human progress, until the year 1845, they came into the possession of Mr. Schroeder, who is now residing on his farm, enjoying the fruits of a well- spent life.
John N. English, Jr., was born in Jersey county, Feb. 19, 1852, his parents being John N. and Elizabeth (Belt) Eng- lish, the former a native of Kentucky and the latter of Illinois. He was brought up on a farm, and remained with his parents until 24 years of age. He was married Jan. 27, 1876, to Fan- nie D. Henderson. Mr. and Mrs. Eng- lish are members of the Methodist Epis- copal church at Jerseyville. He now owns 180 acres of land all under cultiva- tion. He is an enterprising young man takes a commendable interest in public affairs and has been the township clerk for the past five years.
Hubert Sauer, an old and highly res- pected citizens of English township, was born in Germany, Dec. 27, 1807, his par- ents being Mathias and Mary ( Stickler) Saner, also of Germany. Hubert grew to manhood in his native country, and there, in his youth, learned the carpen- ter's trade. In December, 1851, he bade farewell to his Fatherland, taking passage at Havre, on a ship bound for New Orleans. Landing in that city, he proceeded to St. Louis; thence, to Alton, coming, soon after, to Jersey county. In 1852 he bought 80 acres of land in English township.upon which he lived about a year; then sold, and pur- chased another 80 acres in the same township, which has since been his home. Mr. Sauer has been three times married, first in 1834, to Mary Ulillah, by whom he had four children-Hubert,
Caroline, Magdaline and Mary U. Mrs. Sauer died in 1844, and Mr. Sauer was married to Tracy Mill, who died in 1875. By this union seven children were born -Joseph, married to Nettie Meisner, and now living in Montgomery county; August, Charles, Nettie, Edward, Fred- erick and George. Mr. Sauer was mar- ried the third time. He has been an energetic and hard-working man, and is now in comfortable circumstances. He is a member of the Catholic church.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.