USA > Illinois > DeKalb County > Portrait and biographical album of DeKalb County, Illinois : containing full-page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county > Part 30
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
- Chelsea in early life, removing there during the closing years of the 18th century. The father bought a farm which was still in its primeval condition and covered with timber. He made a clearing, erected a log house and underwent the privations and privileges of the life of a first settler in an uninhabited region, dying there in 1823. The homestead was under the personal management of Mr. Martin and his brother John during the three years subsequent to their father's demise. In 1826 the former went to Dans- ville, N. Y., and was there occupied about twelve' months in a tannery. Returning to his native town, he found employment in the same line of business, and acquired a thorough knowledge of the trade. In 1833 he formed a partnership with his former employ- er at Dansville, which proved a disastrous venture, as the latter was heavily involved in debt. Their joint operations continued until 1838, when Mr. Martin decided to abandon a manifestly hopeless struggle,
312
DE KALB COUNTY.
and came West. His net capital amounted to $20, and he made his way by stage to the city of Albany, where he took the cars,-a memorable incident, as he had never before seen the modus operandi of railroad transit. From Schenectady he traveled to Buffalo by the Erie Canal, and came thence to Detroit by the lake. He arrived in the City of the Straits and set out for Ypsilanti on foot, and took passage from that place to St. Joseph, Mich. From there he made his way to Chicago on a steamboat. The remainder of his journey was made on foot, and he arrived in De Kalb County wholly without. means. He went to Union Grove, where he found a friend in Captain Eli Barnes, through whose instrumentality he readily obtained employment.
In September, 1839, Mr. Martin's wife joined him and they took up their abode in the building now known as the City Hotel, which was their residence until February, 1840, when they moved into the house of Captain Barnes at Union Grove. In 1841 he moved to his brother's claim in that township, where he started the first tannery established in the county of De Kalb. The preliminary operations were, for obvious reasons, on a limited scale. He moved into the village of Sycamore in the following year, and continued the prosecution of his business a few years singly, when, in company with C. M. Brown, he em- barked in a nursery enterprise, in which he was inter- ested until the attempt by the South to destroy the National Government. Since 1861 he has been variously engaged. He is occupying his original house at Sycamore, a brick house that he built on a tract of five acres, which he bought in 1843, paying $20 for the claim and $1.25 per acre to the Govern- ment on receiving his deed. This is now included within the limits of Sycamore. He is one of the original members of the Congregational Church at Sycamore and has been a Deacon many years.
Mr. Martin was married Jan. 11, 1836, to Jane Ann Slack. She was born Oct. 4, 1810, in Plainfield, N. H. She died Sept. 12, 1879, and of five children of which she became the mother two still survive,- Amelia, wife of Capt. H. C. Whittemore, and Charles F., present Postmaster at Sycamore.
The latter was born at Sycamore, on his father's homestead, where he grew to man's estate and ob- tained a good education in the public schools. He was a clerk in the employment of the late John
Waterman, and afterwards operated in the same capacity in the interests of M. Relyea. In 1864 he was appointed Assistant Postmaster by Chauncey Ellwood, and remained in the position of Deputy until his appointment as chief. In 1878 he was re-appointed Postmaster of Sycamore. The affairs of the office are conducted systematically and in a way that gives general satisfaction, and wins for the chief official universal commendation.
illiam H. Garland, farmer, section 14, Franklin Township, is engaged in gen- eral agriculture and dairying. He was born Feb. 8, 1840, in the township of Ma- lone, Franklin Co., N. Y. His parents, Gilman and Emmeline (Lewis) Garland, were natives of Vermont and New York respectively, and descended from Welsh and English ancestry, of New England birth. The father was a farmer in the State of New York, and in 1855 came to Illinois, where he was similarly occupied for some years. In April, 1867, he removed to Seward Co., Neb., where the mother died, April 22, 1884, at the age of 68 years. The father is 78 years old.
Mr. Garland is the fourth child in order of birth of 14 born to his parents. He was a pupil in the com- mon schools of his native county, whence he came with his parents to Illinois when 15 years of age; and he completed his education in the public schools of De Kalb County. Afterward he was occupied as a farm assistant in various places until he enlisted in the army of the United States to aid in the sup- pression of the Rebellion. He enrolled at Belvidere, Aug. 8, 1862, in Co. G, 95th Ill. Vol. Inf. His com- pany went to the field under the management of Capt. E. M. Bush, of Belvidere. The command was attached to the Army of the West. Mr. Garland was detailed by special order from General Blair, corps cammander, for services as Orderly on duty at headquarters, and he continued to act in that ca- pacity until the termination of hostilities between the Government and the insurgents. He received an honorable discharge May 25, 1865, and at once re- turned home and resumed farming.
He was married July 2, 1865, in Franklin Town- ship, to Emily Penwell. She was born Nov. 10,
THE LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
John la Waterman
DE KALB COUNTY.
315
1846, in Flora Township, Boone Co., Ill., and is the daughter of Luke and Elizabeth (Middleton) Pen- well. (For a satisfactory and more extended account of her parents, see sketch of O. W. Rice.) Mrs. Gar- land was but five years of age when she came to De Kalb County, and has since resided in the townships of Kingston and Franklin. Of her marriage to Mr. Garland three children have been born. Alice died Jan. 30, 1881, at the age of 15 years. Lizzie Was born Oct. 9, 1868; Walter, Nov. 25, 1871; and Loa Lu Ella, born Feb. 8, 1885.
After marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Garland fixed their residence on a farm in Kingston Township, and a year later came thence to the township of Franklin. Later they went to Flora Township in Boone County, where they were engaged in farming three years. Subsequently they returned to Franklin Township and bought 70 acres of land situated in a grove on section 14. The entire acreage is practically under cultivation, and is supplied with good farm buildings constructed by the proprietor.
He is a Republican and is present School Trustee. He has officiated in other local township offices.
ohn C. Waterman, deceased, was a busi- ness man of prominence at Sycamore for a period of nearly 40 years. He was born in Salisbury, Herkimer Co., N. Y., Sept. 9, 1814, and is the son of John D. and Mary Water- man. (See sketch of J. S. Waterman.) He went to Geneva, N. Y., when he was 16 years old, to avail himself of a proffered opportunity to occupy a clerkship in the mercantile establishment of Abel Whitney. On the removal of the latter with his busi- ness interests to Northampton, Mass., Mr. Waterman accompanied him and remained in his service until he came to man's estate. In 1835 he came West, and, stopping at Cleveland, Ohio, he obtained a situ- ation in the jewlery store known as "Crittenden's." In 1839 he came thence to Newburg, Winnebago Co., Ill., and embarked in a mercantile enterprise with his brother, Charles Waterman. This relation continued operative until November, 1845, when he came to Sycamore, and, associated with his brother James, established the sale of dry goods. The brothers Waterman conducted their commercial enterprise
jointly a few years, and afterward operated singly, becoming leaders in mercantile affairs at Sycamore.
John C. Waterman died at Sycamore Oct. 19, 1883. In the early days of his political bias he was an ar- dent Whig, and on the re-establishment of the prin- ciples on which that party was founded he became a zealous Republican. While in business at Newburg, he officiated as Postmaster a number of years, and after his removal to Sycamore filled the same posi- tion. He was popular among his fellow citizens and identified himself with the public spirit that prevailed in the most active business period of the place, aid- ing substantially in the formation and permanency of its general interests. In his domestic relations he sustained the character of true and innate manliness, and ever preserved the tenderest and most consid- erate attitude toward his household.
He was twice married. Caroline E. Hoyt, daugh- ter of B. F. and Arna Hoyt, became his wife Sept. 20, 1841, at Newburg, Ill. She was born in Stamford, Conn., and the five children of this union are all liv- ing. Kate D. is the wife of William Moulton, of Cal- ifornia, a dealer in real estate. Sarah J. Moulton re- sides at Sycamore. Albert H. lives at the same place. Caroline W. became the wife of John Syme, of Syca- more. James D. is a commercial traveler in Chicago. Their mother died Feb. 9, 1866, in Sycamore, and Mr. Waterman married Caroline M. Rogers, at Ball- ston Springs, N. Y. She was born March 20, 1834, in Auburn, N. Y. Her parents, Elam and Caroline Rogers, were natives of Worcester, Mass. Mr. and Mrs. Waterman became the parents of three children, all of whom were born at Sycamore, as follows : Mary W., Dec. 26, 1869; Emily A., Dec. 11, 1870; John C., Jan. 7, 1874.
Mr. Waterman was a member of the Order of Masonry at Sycamore and belonged to Blue Lodge, No. 315. He was one of a family of six sons and three daughters. Two of the former and one of the latter are now living. Charlotte J. Waterman, re- siding with the widow of John C. Waterman, came to De Kalb County in October, 1840. Charles is a retired merchant and resides at Freeport, Ill. Robert W., of the firm of Waterman & Porter, proprietors of silver mines in California, is a resident of San Ber- nardino, in the Golden State.
One of the unique events of the life of John C. Wa- terman was his attendance at the funeral services of
316
. DE KALB COUNTY.
President Lincoln, when he was an attache of the staff of Gov. Oglesby. The sash and rosette which he wore on the occasion are still preserved by his family. The portrait of Mr. Waterman on another page will be appreciated by the generation to which he belonged, and by those of future years, as a pioneer in the development of De Kalb County, and as a substantial citizen of Sycamore.
R ev. David N. Kinne, farmer, sec. 35, Som- onauk Tp., also minister of the Baptist Church, in whose service he was ordained at Lisbon, Kendall Co., Ill., is the son of Æsop and Lydia (Beebe) Kinne. His father was born July 12, 1806, in Onondaga Co., N. Y., where he was a pioneer settler on a farm, a portion of which is now within the incorporated limits of the city of Syracuse. He died Nov. 5, 1871, in the city which had grown within his knowledge until it had absorbed a part of the land which he had reclaimed from a wild state. The mother of Rev. Mr. Kinne, was born in the State of New York March 13, 1809, and died in Syracuse, March 22, 1864. Six of their ten children are now living.
Mr. Kinne is the second in order of birth, born May 19, 1831, in Syracuse, N. Y. He was brought up on the homestead and received a good elementary education, which he rendered more complete by two years' study at Madison University, after which he taught school and also worked as a farm assistant. He entered upon a licentiate in the interests of the Baptist Church in 1853, and in March, 1855, he came West, settling, with only $8.50 as his cash capi- tal, near Morris, Grundy Co., Ill., where he engaged in farming. After his ordination at Lisbon in 1858, he assumed the charge of the Baptist societies at Plano and Big Rock, where he officiated nearly three years. In 1861 he bought 160 acres of land in sec- tion 18, Somonauk Township, where he spent more than three years, and during a portion of the time was Pastor of the Somonauk Baptist Church. In 1867 he was called to take charge of the Baptist Society, at Kaneville, Kane Co., Ill., and discharged the duties of that position nearly three years. In 1869 he came to Sandwich, where he bought a part of the farm he now owns, and, in connection with its
management occasionally supplied the pulpits of the Baptist churches in Sandwich and Somonauk. His farm now includes Iro acres, with 90 acres under excellent cultivation and improvements. He owns 20 acres of timber land. He has a fine herd of Alderney cattle, which comprises nine thoroughbreds, and a number of excellent grades.
Mr. Kinne was first married March 15, 1855, near Syracuse, N. Y., to Huldah Pierce, and after the birth of one child-Mary E., deceased in infancy -- the mother died, in Grundy Co., Ill., Sept. 8, 1857. Mr. Kinne was united in marriage July 22, 1858, to Sarah P. Kirkland, a daughter of Andrew Kirkland, a pioneer settler of Big Grove Township, Kendall Co., Ill. Mrs. Kinne was 13 years old when she came with her parents to Illinois. The entire route from Rome, N. Y., was made with a two-horse team, and the journey consumed six weeks. They had four children, of whom there is but one survivor, Belle E. Two children died in infancy. One son, Arthur, died in his 15th year. The mother died on the farm where the family now reside, Sept. 17, 1881. Mr. Kinne formed a third matrimonial alliance, with Caroline Wokersine, Aug. 27, 1882, at Somonauk. Mrs. Kinne was born in Germany, and is the mother of two children, Earl Kinne, born June 17, 1883, on the farm; also an unnamed daughter, born March 7, 1885.
In addition to the pastoral duty performed by Mr. Kinne in the fields named, he operated in his minis- terial capacity six months in Linn Co., Iowa, whither he went in September, 1855. In the spring of 1856, he went with an emigrant party to the western part of Iowa, and preached in Sac County until Novem- ber, 1856, when he returned to Grundy Co., Ill.
H. Hinds, of the firm of Hinds & Holmes, liverymen at De Kalb, was born in the town of Stanstead, Canada, June 18, 1826, and since 1856 he has lived here, except the three years he was in the hotel business at Watertown, N. Y. Before coming West he fol- lowed agricultural pursuits. He returned from New York to Clinton Township, this county, where he fol- lowed farming, excepting the eight years (1875-83) he was engaged in the livery business at Waterman,
317
DE KALB COUNTY.
this county. While there he was Collector. On coming to De Kalb in October, 1883, he formed his present partnership with Mr. Holmes. In politics he is a Republican. He has never been married.
His father, Jonas Hinds, was born Feb. 25, 1785, in the town of Barre, Worcester Co., Mass., of Eng- lish and Irish descent, and died June 26, 1864, in Clinton Township, this county. The mother of the subject of this sketch, Tryphela, nee Holden, was born in Charlestown, N. H., Jan. 19, 1791, and died April 7, 1868, also in Clinton Township. They had six children, of whom T. H. was the fourth. The latter was four years old when the family emigrated from Canada to the township of Derby, Orleans Co., N.Y., in 1830. In 1839 they removed to Jefferson Co., N. Y., and lived there until 1854, when they emi- grated West, settling in Clinton Township, this county.
saac N. Miner, of Kirkland, is Township Clerk, a Justice of the Peace, and by calling a harness-maker. He was born March 29, 1842, in Oswego Co., N. Y. His parents, Daniel and Eliza (Ives) Miner, were respect- ively of Yankee and German extraction. They were married in the State of New York, where they remained a few years and were occupied in farming. They came in 1844 to Lake County, Ill., where they were residents until 1859, the date of their removal to De Kalb County, when they purchased a farm in Franklin Township.
Mr. Miner was two years of age when he came to the State where he has since lived. He was 19 years of age when civil war startled the nation, and he enlisted in Co. A, 39th Ill. Inf., and went to the front under the captaincy of G. D. Sherman, of Elgin. The regiment was assigned to the Army of the Cumberland. Mr. Miner was in the actions at Pea Ridge, where he fought "mit Sigel," at Pittsburg Landing, Corinth, Chaplain Hills, Stone River and all the principal battles of the campaign, including that at Mission Ridge. Starting with his command for Knoxville, Tenn., the regiment veteranized Jan. I, 1864, and hastened on to take part in the siege of Atlanta, moving on to Jonesboro. After the division of the army and movement of Sherman toward the
sea, the "Old Fourth Army Corps " returned to Fort Pulaski under General Thomas. The Division pushed on to Nashville in pursuit of General Hood, and thence to New Orleans, where Mr. Miner ob- tained his discharge, Nov. 25, 1865, the war being at an end. He suffered the fate of war in being wounded in the elbow and hand, in the fight at Stone River, and a few moments later he was in the hands of the Rebels, who sent him into the horrible cap- tivity of Libby prison at Richmond, where he was in bondage six months, and was then sent to City Point for exchange.
After obtaining his discharge he returned to Rich- mond Township in McHenry County, where he en- gaged in farming, combining therewith a traffic in Texan ponies, in which he was interested about one year. He went thence to Fulton, Whiteside Co., Ill.,. and, associated with his father-in-law, was engaged more than two years in the management of a hotel. He was subsequently interested several years in a billiard hall, and suffered heavy loss from fire.
In the spring of 1881 he came to Kirkland and embarked in the business of a harness-maker, and has since operated successfully in that line. .
His marriage to Sarah Gilgore took place March 14, 1866, in the township of Richmond. She was born at London, Ont., in 1846. She was reared as a farmer's daughter, and in girlhood accompanied her parents to Illinois and was educated in McHenry County. One child-Arthur D. L .- was born of this union, and died when he was eight years of age.
Mr. Miner is a zealous and ardent Republican.
giram Eddy, retired farmer, resident at De UUUU Kalb, was born Oct. 17, 1825, in a portion of Genesee Co., N. Y., which was formerly included within the municipality of the county of Wyoming. His father, Harry Eddy, was born in Otsego Co., N. Y .; his mother, Anna (Whit- ney) Eddy, was a native of Massachusetts. In 1837 the family removed to Kane Co., Ill., and were among its early pioneer settlers. The mother died July 26, 1854. The demise of the father occurred Jan. 26, 1883. Eight children were included within their family, named as follows: Maria, Henry, Hiram, Asenath, Phebe, Edmund P., Asahel and Henry (2d).
€
Y
DE KALB COUNTY.
318
The two oldest and the youngest are not living. Mr. Eddy obtained such education as the unde- veloped condition of the country permitted, and as- sisted his father on the farm until the period of his legal freedom arrived; and he continued in the same avenue of operation until he was 26 years of age. In 1851 he joined the army of agriculturists in Illinois by the purchase of a farm in McHenry County, on which he settled. He there pursued the vocation to which he had been bred until 1866, when he sold his farm and purchased a small tract of land in the town- ship of De Kalb, fixing his residence in the village of the same name. He is identified with the Dem- ocratic element in politics. In 1875 he was elected Assessor of the township, and has since officiated in that position.
He was married March 9, 1852, in Kane Co., Ill., to Mary H .. daughter of Joseph and Olive Lindsay. The latter died in Kane County ; the former died at the residence of his son in Sycamore. Mrs. Eddy was born June 20, 1826, in Canada. Olive A., only child, was born Aug. 12, 1853.
charles L. Misick, physician. and surgeon, at Sandwich, was born Nov. 2, 1823, at East Troy, Rensselaer Co., N. Y. Henry Misick, his father, was born Jan. 7, 1789, in Claverack, Columbia Co., N. Y., and was a tanner and currier by profession in Howard Town- ship, Steuben Co., N. Y., where he died Sept. 10, 1851. The mother, Louisa (Rose) Misick, was born Jan. 14, 1796, at Rome, Oneida Co., N. Y., and died at Howard, Steuben Co., N. Y., Aug. 8, 1864. Fol- lowing is the record of their nine children : Nellie E., born July 27, 1815, died Jan. 8, 1840. Emily M. was born Jan. 10, 1817, and died Oct. 20, 1834. William H., born Nov. 25, 1819, is a medical practi- tioner at Marengo, Ill .; Abraham W., born Nov. 3, 1821, is a dentist at Donovan, Ripley County, in Southern Missouri. Dr. Misick of this sketch is fifth in order. Sidney S. was born Jan. 14, 1826, and is engaged in farming in Steuben Co., N. Y. Rachel C., born March 16, 1829, married R. Collier, a me- chanic at Hornellsville, N. Y. George W., born March 24, 1831, died in Nora, Ill., Nov. 19, 1878.
Ann M., born Nov. 31, 1833, died in November, 1858.
Dr. Misick attended the common school during the years of his early youth, and completed his pre- paratory studies at the Howard Academy. He ob- tained a good education, which he made available in teaching several terms of school, and interspersed that method of employment by working as a carpen- ter and joiner. Meanwhile he read for his profes- sion, and in 1856 entered the Eclectic Medical Col- lege at Cincinnati, attending the chief part of two terms of lectures at that institution, and going thence to the Ohio Medical College at Cincinnati, where he was graduated in 1857. He had become a resident of McHenry County, in Illinois, in 1855, and after he obtained his credentials he opened the career of. a medical practitioner at Marengo, pursuing his pro- fession there and at Byron about 12 years. In the winter of 1868-9 he attended the Hahnemann Med- ical College at Chicago, and took his degree from that body in 1869. He established his business at Rockford, Ill., where he practiced nearly a year; and in the fall of 1870 he opened an office at Sandwich, and has since conducted a prosperous business. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity and of the State Medical Society.
Dr. Misick's marriage to Susan Collier took place at Howard, Steuben Co., N. Y., Sept. 3, 1848. She was born Feb. 20, 1831, and is the daughter of John D. and Tabitha Collier. Of her marriage four chil- dren have been born. Louisa, born June 20, 1849, is the wife of Ernst Mix. Viola and Iona, twins, were born Sept. 20, 1852. The former, now Mrs. W. H. Palmer, resides in Florida. The latter is Mrs. E. W. Trout, and resides at Grand Rapids, Mich. Addie Mae was born Jan. 15, 1865.
olaski Hix, editor, and senior member of the firm of Hix & Van Galder, proprietors of the Sycamore City Weekly, was born April 25, 1837, in Clarendon, Orleans Co., N. Y., and is the son of Ephraim and Laura W. (Williams) Hix. He is one of nine children, eight of whom, seven sons and one daughter, lived to maturity. The father was a native of Steuben County, N. Y., born December 9, 1803, and was the son of Ephraim
DE KALB COUNTY.
319
and Lucy Hix. Ephraim Hix, Sr., was born Novem- ber 6, 1768, and died July 22, 1834. His wife, Lucy, was born February 9, 1772, and her death transpired Nov. 12, 1824. The mother was a native of Colchester, Conn., born Sept. 2, 1804. She was a daughter of Barnabas and Amy (Perkins) Williams. Barnabas Williams was born in Groton, Conn., Dec. 25, 1772. His wife was born in the same town and State, June 5, 1775. .
The Hix (or Hicks) family came originally from England, and the generations of to-day are the de- scendants of three brothers, two of whom settled in the North, the other taking up his abode in the South. Ephraim Hix, Jr., married Laura W. Williams, May 1, 1825, in Barre, Orleans Co., N. Y., removing from there to the adjoining town of Clarendon, and from thence to Alabama, Genesee County, that State. In September, 1848, they, with their seven sons, came to Kingston, De Kalb Co., Ill., and there located 130 acres of land, which by later purchase was increased to 337 acres. Mr. Hix also located 80 acres of land in McHenry Co., Ill. Upon becoming a citizen of Kingston he identified himself with the general in- terest and welfare of the community. His intelligence and integrity received due recognition, and for years he held the office of Highway Commissioner and Justice of the Peace. He died in Kingston, Jan. 13, 1863, while the death of his widow occurred June 14, 1875, in the city of Sycamore, the place of her later residence.
The subject of this sketch was brought up on his father's farm and obtained a fair common-school education, afterwards attending school one year at Mount Morris Seminary and Wheaton College. He taught two terms of district school and passed sev- eral succeeding years in the occupation of a farmer. In 1871 he carried out a long cherished desire to establish a newspaper. His first venture was in Sep- tember of that year, when he issued the first number of the De Kalb County Farmer, published at Syca- more, a small monthly agricultural journal, which in September, 1872, was succeeded by the Sycamore City Weekly. The latter was conducted on an inde- pendent basis, politically, until the Presidential elec- tion of 1876, when it supported the Republican National and State tickets, and has since continued a Republican paper. Never much of a partisan, Mr. Hix was originally a Democrat, and cast his first
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.