I too inherited a Town History book. The History of Brown County, Illinois 1880 to 1970. What surprised me was the lack of sources referenced in how the authors knew this information. There are some people in my ancestory listed in this book, but can't find them elsewhere. There is a Rosanna Bigsby/Bixby listed and according to family stories, she was a full blooded Indian. Yet no reference to that anywhere.

Would love to get my hands on the Harbours of America.