The August 2014 meeting of the Madison County Genealogical Society was held at the Edwardsville Public Library on Thursday, August 14, at 7:00 pm.

President, Robert Ridenour, called the meeting to order.

The following is the Treasurer's report for the month of June:

• Total Assets as of June 1, 2014 - $20,192.11
• General Fund - Beg. Balance $7,916.09 - Income $18.83 - Expenses $849.50 - End Balance $7,085.42
• Publications Fund - Beg. Balance $12,276.02 - Income $0.00 - Expenses $0.00 - End Balance $12,276.02
• Total Assets as of June 30, 2014 - $19,361.44

The following is the Treasurer's report for the month of July:

• Total Assets as of July 1, 2014 - $19,361.44
• General Fund - Beg. Balance $7,085.42 - Income $25.46 - Expenses $0.00 - End Balance $7,110.88
• Publications Fund - Beg. Balance $12,276.02 - Income $35.00 - Expenses $0.00 - End Balance $12,311.02
• Total Assets as of July 31, 2014 - $19,421.90

Do you have a family member that is interested in (or even obsessed with) genealogy? A membership in the Madison County Genealogical Society would be a very thoughtful gift. A gift card will be sent to the recipient of any gift membership.

The following memberships are available:
Individual/Family Annual Membership $20.00
Patron Annual Membership $30.00
Life Membership $250.00

Contact our Secretary, Petie Hunter, at [email protected], about a gift membership.

On August 14, 2014, Bill Wilson, President of Hill's Fort Society, Vice President of the Illinois Chapter of the Society of the War of 1812, and Chairman of the Illinois Bicentennial Commission of the War of 1812, discussed the new book, Forts and Blockhouses of Early Illinois, Book II, written by Kevin Kaegy and himself.

Bill talked briefly about an earlier book that he and Kevin had written: The Tales of Hill's Fort, (20XX). After completing this first book, they started collecting data about other forts and blockhouses. They intended to write a second book on Hill's Fort and include a chapter on other forts and blockhouses. That idea did not work out because that chapter grew much faster then the other parts of the book.

One day the light bulb came on, and they decided to put all the data on the other forts and blockhouses in a separate book about the Forts and Blockhouses of Early Illinois. This book was published in 2006. It started with the early Indian stone forts in the southern part of the state. Next came the French forts scattered along the river, Fort de Chartres, Fort Massac, and a few other small forts. Then came the early Illinois settlers, those people that came here in 1779-80 all the way up to 1805-06. The book also contains information on forts and blockhouses of the War of 1812 and the Blackhawk War.

A blockhouse can be an independent building of two layers, the second layer being larger than the first, which you can go into, lock the door from the inside, and protect those that are inside. Another type of blockhouse is a building that stands in the corner of a fort. Again, the second level is larger than the first, allowing you to shoot along the outside of the fort wall while being protected by walls all around you.

The first book makes mention of about 170 forts and blockhouses of all different eras. A numbering system was developed that would allow a fort or blockhouse to be referenced by the same number, even in later works. This book was sold all over Illinois. All of the proceeds went to the Hill's Fort Society and were used to help build the replica of Hill's Fort at Greenville, Illinois.

As Bill and Kevin started making presentations on the Forts and Blockhouses of Early Illinois, the audiences were invited to give them any information that would make their book better. People would give them corrections and new information that they did not have when they wrote the book.

In the Spring of 2014, Bill and Kevin took all the new information they received and revised their book. All the new forts and blockhouses they learned about went into Chapter 1. They made corrections and additions to the material included in the first book. Chapter 3 tells about the 16 places in Illinois where an historic fort or blockhouse still exists that you can go to and look at. Driving directions, GPS locations, and photographs are included.

The last chapter of the book is One Hundred Other Historic Illinois Sites. It includes addresses and GPS locations so that you can visit these sites.

Bill had copies of both the old and the new books for purchase by the audience. If you would like to obtain a copy, the new book, Forts and Blockhouse of Early Illinois, Book II, sells for $30. The earlier book sells for $28, but you can get the pair for $50. You can contact Bill Wilson at William Wilson, 208 North Bertha St, Albers, IL 62215; phone: 618-248-5885 or 618-830-4433; e-mail: [email protected].

This presentation was very well attended, very well received, and produced several questions and comments from the audience.