Some families know a great deal about their roots; others know very little. This site is an attempt to record
what I've learned about these families histories. I am very proud to be a Flanders kid and I'm especially proud of MY
direct Flanders ancestors. They were average people, toiling at average jobs but they were extrordinary human beings who
left me with a legacy of love and family values. They are all gone now but as I look at their photos and tell their
stories they live again if only in my memories. This is their story:
The Flanders and Hargrave families of Illinois were close, they migrated together, lived in close proximity
to each other and married into each others families. My search started with my G-G-Grandmother, Sarah Hargrave Flanders
and worked backward to include other Flanders, Hargrave Marriages of which I had been unaware. I learned about the salt making
industry in Illinois and my ancestors participation in it, the scandal of the infamous "Slave House" which I learned
my William M. Hargrave had purchased in the 1880's and still...... there remain mysteries. I have found 5 marriages for William
but have only documented four. Then there is the mystery of William and Cynthia's children.......when and why did they die
and where are they buried....? Initially I had George Hargrave listed with 9 children, only two of them were named.
Then I had William, Malenta, Mary and James Hargrave listed but no one knew who their parents were. Thanks to several wonderful
people I was able to make the connection that George was indeed the Father of all but James, I have yet to place him. Most
of the information I have posted here is the documentation which proves this to be fact. Hopefully, others who have tried
to make this connection will find this page.
These lines wouldn't be complete without my McClain and Purcell families and they are represented here as
well.....
Special thanks go to: Jon Musgrave, Cally Lence, Bevard Hargrave, Tom McClain, Deb Reagan, Betty
Purcell, Kaye Powell and Jason Crane
Without their research to build on this project could never have gotten off the ground.