Thanks Bennie and Sharon, I appreciate the info.

Sharon--while working on my wife's line (19th century Illinois) I read information about her Mayhew/Curtis/Hickman lines and Civil War service and J.C. Pendergrass--Buffalo Soldier 10th Calvary. My reasons are rooted in genealogy but I'm contextualizing as much as I can.

I'm in the midwest and I plan on visiting Clinton County, Illinois this spring--hopefully.

Interestingly, genealogy is as rigorous as graduate studies, (my perception).

Once agian thanks for the tip.

Lyle