My sister and I visited Fayette County in May 2009. The Evans Public Library in Vandalia is a treasure. We found so much information in the three days we spent in the library that we could not finish. We will go back next year and try to finish. Our main purpose was to visit Monclovia Cemetery and we did that plus we went to Farina to the cemetery there where ancestors are buried. Also the cemetery in Vandalia where the office was very helpful in helping us locate graves since it is a very large cemetery.
We wanted to visit Shobonier but did not have time so that is on next years agenda also. If you have any ancestors from Fayette County a visit to Vandalia will be very worthwhile. We stayed at the Ramada Inn and it was very easy to get around the whole county. Can't wait to go back.

Agree 100% regarding Vandalia Library being a treasure. We stopped for a day in July 2003 to see the area where my gr grandfather, Thomas Post, was born. Everyone was so nice and helpful, we soon learned many of my ancestors had lived in Fayette County in the mid 1800's. Through records we found the legal location to where my gr gr gr Thomas and Anna (Hall) Reed's family farm had been. The librarian gave us a copy of a rural map, we drove past Ramsey coming to the corner where a big red barn and chapel stood. Visiting with a couple living near the chapel where several headstones were standing near their fence she told about the farm having been owned earlier by two Hunt brother's. She gave me a booklet she received at the Reed Chapel 100th anniversary celebration. The booklet listed names of my ancestors who had signed the deed to gift the land for the Reed Chapel. The Reed's died within a week of each other in 1880. She pointed out where a family cemetery was in a distance field near a large tree. We drove across the road asking the owner if we could walk through the cornfield to see if my ancestors were buried there. I found a broken headstone, lifting it up I saw the name of my gr gr grandfather Post, I had been searching everywhere to learn his given name. Lewis was not listed on records as buried in the Reed family cemetery. Lewis J. Post was only 23 yrs. when he died, 18 Oct 1855, I am still trying to connect him to his parents and beyond. Lewis married Henrietta N. Reed in Edinburg, Portage, Ohio 1851 where the census show the Reed's lived in 1850. By 1854 when Thomas Arden Post was born several connecting families were living in Fayette Co., IL. I still hope we can go back some day when we can spend more time in research at the courthouse and library in Vandalia and enjoy the beautiful countryside, fall is gorgeous, great place to camp with RV.

Elizabeth,

Your story is so very interesting. And yes, the staff at the library were very kind and helpful. For anyone with ancestors from Fayette County Illinois a trip to the Evans Public Library would likely be fruitful. Two years ago I went to the Family History Library in Salt Lake City and they had some of what you can find in Vandalia but not all. My sister and I hope to return next spring for a few more days at the library. One of our ancestors lived in Shobonier and we did not have time to visit there. I am surprised there is not more traffic on this board as everyone in Fayette could contribute and we would all benefit. As I understand the genealogy society in Fayette is very active so I expected more conversation on this board. I did make a book from all my research on Monclovia Cemetery and I uploaded the notes and pictures of headstones to "findagrave.com". Susan White Greenberg

I would also recommend the county clerk's office. Unlike many, this one will allow you into the vault. You can page through the old records books (birth, etc.) If you want a photocopy, they will do it for a fee and mail it to you, but if bring a camera, you can take a picture.