NEW email address: cooncreek@irtc.net

As always, if I cannot read the census page, I won't send it and I'll give your money back. Remember I will not copy the entire Federal or State Census to paper. They have just become too large.

What's Available @ The Tri County

Census Indices and lookups

You really should read the Catalog of Completed Projects back on the "Home" page. There are just too many projects to post. Our Volunteers have done an excellent job.

Census Indices and Links Here

Census information.

Getting back to the subject, I have spent years re-typing and transcribing these censuses. I'M DONE! It's ridiculous! 50 to 60% of the names I cannot read, not alone spell correctly. Surname and or even the Christian names. I'm done with it and with all the heartaches that come with trying to research a surname... a surname the client knows is in the census but neither he or I can spell the surname or Christian name correctly. And neither could the poor chap taking the census! Now we can view the entire census with the computer and can find it by associating the subject with the neighbors and the family members around it.

With the technology of today's computer and the supporting equipment, a digital camera, the digital scanner, and the digital copier and printer, you can correct, repair and clean the item so it is better then the original you've just copied. We're talking the ACTUAL documents, here and not a transcribed "guess" as to the person or persons living in the state, county, township or precinct or ward.

As you may have guessed, since I've been at this a few years, I must have accumulated well over 80 Federal Census. Most being but not all from the Tri County area. Having genealogical area interests of my own, I have also collected many from Ohio, West Virginia, Indiana, Missouri, Oklahoma, Iowa, South Dakota and many regarding the other counties in Illinois. (Macoupin, Madison, Perry, Scott, Organ, Pike, Jackson and a host of others). But what is important is, I have access to every actual available censuses from 1820 to 1930. If there is an United States Federal Census available regarding any State of our Union, I now have a way to view it, copy it and send it to you. BUT ONLY - IF IT IS AVAILABLE! I cannot create them.

So, what does this mean? It means this. I will put SOME census indices on this website and other County websites. I will not or ask our volunteers to transcribe any census but those of the Tri County area, and then only up to and including the 1880 Federal Census. Again, those following 1880 have just become too large. I will however, offer the members free lookups of the any actual available census. All members and non members are ask for a small $5.00 donation (prepaid) along with a self addressed stamped envelope with proper postage. If they want a paper copy. 3 pages of paper and the envelope goes for the cost of a first class stamp.

Your requests must name the full name of the person; the county; and if known the precinct or township. Please, don't send  a 5 dollar donation and ask for all the Smith's in Greene or Jersey County. I'll just keep your money and not even bother to answer you back. I really don't think you need to be told why! Some non members have even tried to send their enclosed envelop with no postage on it or they wanted 4 or 5 or even 6 copies of different census pages and either send a self addressed stamped envelop with enough postage for 1- 3 page request or no envelop at all. And yes, a 11x17 copy counts as 2 two pages. Even if it only has one census page on it.

As always, send them to:

Tri County Preservation Society

RR 1 Box 9

Carrollton, IL 62016

payable donation to Tri County Preservation Society

Thanks

Marty

* Just a note.

1890 Federal Census was mostly destroyed by fire. There are a few scraps that did not burn. NONE survived from the Tri County area.