We will be sponsoring a new tribute to our ancestors, "First Ancestor to Williamson County, IL" In keeping with our goals of trying to document all families of Williamson County, we would like to include everyone, not just the pre-1839 settlers.
In a 100 years many of your descendants will want to know all about your lineage. Now is the time to start recording your research and putting it in a permanent archive. Again, there is no time limit on when your first ancestor arrived. The years covered are 1839 to 2002.
As an example: If your first ancestor came to Williamson County in 1935 and is your grandfather you would fill out the application from him/her and attach group sheets of the families on grandfather, your parents and then to yourself. There will be a place for remarks or additional information. Please feel free to tell as much as you would like about your families history. Why they came to Williamson County or any other interesting family lore.
You may submit applications on as many lines as you wish. Your maternal ancestor may have arrived in 1880, you would submit and application (with fee) for that ancestor. If you wanted to submit another on your paternal line who may have arrived in 1902 you would request another application and pay the appropriate fee.
When we receive the completed application you will be awarded a certificate for your "First Ancestor" to Williamson County suitable for framing. On the applications there will be a place to give or not, permission for the WCHS to publish your information. Since the Williamson County Family History Book was not a success we are hoping that our "First Ancestor" project will garner enough submissions to publish.
Cost for the first application/certificate is $5.00 for members of the WCHS and $20.00 for nonmembers. Please write to the WCHS, First Ancestor, 105 S. Van Buren St., Marion, IL. 62959 for an application and group sheets. Enclose $5.00 for the first application and an additional $3.00 per every subsequent application if you are a paid 2002 member and $20.00 for the first application and $5.00 per subsequent application if you are not a WCHS member.
If you are not a member and would like to join the WCHS at the time you request your application please advise us and the $20.00 will cover your membership and first application. Each additional application you request will only be $3.00 after your paid membership.
If you have any questions please contact: Charla Murphy <charla@thewchs.com>
This page updated 03/23/2003