Queries

Got a tough family research problem? Looking for more individuals researching your ancestor? BCGS publishes queries that have a Bond County, Illinois connection.

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About Queries

Bond County Genealogical Society membership entitles you to receive the informative B.C.G.S. Newsletter, and to publish your genealogical queries on this web page and in the newsletter. Genealogical queries with connections to Bond County in Southern Illinois are published free of charge to members (and non-members!) in our newsletter (though members have priority on query space). Anyone is invited to submit the names and brief identifying information of ancestors they are researching, so that those researching the same persons can exchange information with them.

Ask A Query

To make your query more effective, include dates, places and full names whenever possible.

SAMPLE QUERY: Researching Edmond DeMoulin, b 11 Jun 1862 Clinton Co IL, mov to Greenville Bond Co IL abt 1886, m1 Constance Vulliet, m2 Anna Diehl. dpl Los Angeles CA 1935.
--Submitter’s name, phone, address, and email address

Please send your queries to bcgs_editor @ sbcglobal.net


Answer A Query

Michael “Mike” Stafford

Posted March 15, 2023

I am trying to help an ill male adoptee locate his birth father: He lived in Greenville in 1959 & 1960 in a trailer park. His name is Mike or Michael Stafford. We need a middle initial or any info would help. Too many individuals by this name.

B.P. Solecki
TXSEARCH @ flash.net
fax 817-590-2282


Old Edwards Cemetery burials

Posted March 15, 2023

I am trying to get information on Old Edwards Cemetery [editor’s note: also known as Williams Cemetery and Smith Cemetery] which is in Seminary township Fayette county [SE of the SW Section 30 but must be accessed from Pleasant Mound township in Bond county using County Rd 700N]. I found information that the Bond County Historical Society had done some work there many years ago. I am seeking a listing of all the names as we are trying to clean it up. It has been abandoned again without any regular upkeep.

Angela Belcher
abelcher34 @ gmail.com


Charles Crouch, c1870—1943

Posted March 15, 2023

Researching Charles Crouch, b 1869 or 1871 Brown Co., IN, d 15 Oct 1943 Highland, Madison, IL. He and wife Sarah Ellen Johnson, b abt 1865 IN, d 30 Apr 1951 Smithboro, Bond, IL, both lived in Pocahontas, Bond, IL. Seeking evidence beyond what’s in their obituaries that they are buried in Sugg Cemetery. I’m also looking for clues/references of parents or siblings of Charles to try to prove which branch of the Crouch family tree he comes from. Per the index of his Illinois Death Record, his parents are Hiram Crouch & [Elizabeth] Jane Crouch, who lived/died Brown Co., IN. Census Records show there are multiple Charles Crouches of similar age.

Elaine Crouch
aecrouch @ sbcglobal.net


Father of Fanny Diamond, daughter of Rev War pensioner

Posted March 15, 2023

I am trying to find proof of the father of my ancestor, Fanny Diamond, who may be the daughter of John Diamond b 12 Feb 1750, County Derry, Ireland, mov to South Carolina, mov to Fayette co, IL abt 1820, dpl Bond co, IL abt 1834. He was a Revolutionary War pensioner in Bond County and is buried in Old Diamond cemetery, near Zion Springs. I’ve had no luck locating either a will or probate records that could list his heirs. There are books on this Diamond family, which give a list of John Diamond’s children, but no source (of course).

Martha Lauer
mldhobbs @ gmail.com


John Cox, Black Hawk War veteran

Posted March 15, 2023

Researching John Cox, b 1778, d 1832. He enlisted to serve in the Black Hawk War. His company (Captain Thomas Stout’s of the Third Brigade) organized May 5, 1832 in Bond County, IL.

I believe his grave is also in Bond County but have no idea which cemetery. I am seeking death/burial location.

Joyce Gearhart
gearhartjoyce @ gmail.com


Ezekiel Stewart, Born abt 1830, Resided Bond Co circa 1860-1862

Posted March 30, 2022

My great grandfather Ezekiel Stewart enlisted in the Union Army 28 Mar 1862 in Greenville, Bond CO, IL as a private. I cannot find anything except that about him in Illinois. It is said from a later census that he was born 1831-33 in New York, but I’d like to know about him in Illinois. I know all about him once he mustered out in 1864, but nothing before he mustered in in 1862 at the age of 31.

Pat Reilley Stewart
Dallas, TX
pgmiller2 @ gmail.com

Editor’s Note: “U.S., Civil War Soldier Records and Profiles, 1861-1865” contains the following index information for Ezekiel Stewart:
  Complexion: Fair
  Eye Color: Blue
  Hair Color: Brown
  Height: 5 ft, 9 inches
  Residence Place: Pocahontas, Illinois
  Occupation: Farmer


Briant Blalock, Born abt 1821

Posted January 10, 2022

Researching Briant Blalock, b abt 1821 Bond Co IL, m Eleanor Elam 1845. Suspected children: Joseph, Joel, Nancy.

Am looking for documented identity of Briant’s parents or other relations. In doing our family tree I’ve hit a brick wall with DNA cousin matches to Briant Blalock.

Barbara Hawkins
ivyrose1952 @ gmail.com


James and Jane Downing, Died 1834

Posted January 10, 2022

Researching James Downing and his wife Jane Haulkern. They both supposedly died in Bond Co, IL in 1834. Do you have any information on the family?

Marcia Fink
529maf @ gmail.com


Thomas and Sarah Norman Family

Posted January 10, 2022

Researching Thomas Norman and wife Sarah Ann Matlock, md 1866, listed on 1880 U.S. Federal Census in Beaver Creek, Bond Co, IL, Known children were C.A. b 1871 IL; Minnie b 1876 Fayette Co, IL; Lee b 1878 Clinton Co IL; Perry/Percy b 1879 Beaver Creek, Bond Co, IL. In 1880 Census Thomas also had a young cousin in household D.W. Norman b abt 1871. Family moved to Watkins Township, Dent, MO by 1900.

Lee is my g-grandfather. Wondering if any part of this Norman family may still be in the Bond County area.

Laura Varner
curatorvarner @ gmail.com


Helen Marie Patterson, born bet 1890-1894

Posted January 10, 2022

Researching former actress, possible heiress, and possible fiancée of criminal(s) who went by name Helen Marie Patterson. Nationwide newspaper articles in 1910s through 1930s reported her origin variously as Chicago or Greenville, IL. Her mother went by the name Mrs John H McMullen in 1923. Helen may have married in 1919 in Richmond Co, NY. No Census records or Cemetery indices I’ve located confirm either of these surnames or relationships for this time period in Bond County.

Basically, I am seeking to confirm once and for all if this woman did originate or grow up in Greenville and if any stories about her and her salacious life have been published in Bond County newspapers or history books.

Craig Rosenthal
broadwayhistory @ msn.com


Concerning Assistance by Email

If you have a query, please send it to bcgs_editor @ sbcglobal.net or by postal mail.

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For Book Orders, Membership Applications, Donations, Donated Materials, and General Queries/Questions:

Bond County Genealogical Society
P.O. Box 172
Greenville, Illinois 62246