I'm trying to track down a death date for a William McGinnis who lived in Cumberland Co in the 1800 Census. His wife Matilda (Shaeffer) is listed as a widow (in Clark Co) in the 1900 Census. William died in between 1800 and 1900, along with 6 of their children. I have been unable to find any record or burial of any of the family members. Also, William is listed as a Minister of the Gospel in the 1800 Census, but I have been unable to affiliate his name with churches in the area. Any help would be greatly appreciated. They are:

William McGinnis b. 1839 in OH
Harvey A. b. 1862 in OH
John W. b. 1865 in OH
James G. b. 1867 in OH
Ruth b. 1869 in OH
Ida b. 1872 in OH
Jessie (female) b. 1874 in IL

There were two other daughters as well who survived into adulthood. Sarah, who married Nicholas Gehl and who I have found plenty of information on, and Clara, who married someone last name Harper, who I've found nothing else about. Any information on these two would also be appreciated.

Thanks so much in advance for any / all information, tips that are provided. This branch turned into a dead end fairly quickly!

I'm not related to this family.

have you tried -
Illinois Death and Marriage Databases – FREE and SEARCHABLE
http://www2.sos.state.il.us/departments/archives/archives.ht...

Marriage record -
1st marriage -
GEHL, NICHOLAS ALBERT
HIGBEE, JESSIE 1888-10-02 @ CLARK County

2nd marriage -
GEHL, NICHOLAS A
MCGINNIS, CLARA 1898-08-29 @ EFFINGHAM County


1900 -
Name: Matilda S McGuiness [note spelling]
Home in 1900: Casey, Clark, Illinois
Age: 58
Birth Date: Feb 1842
Birthplace: Ohio
Race: White
Ethnicity: American
Gender: Female
Relationship to Head of House: Head
Father's Birthplace: Ohio
Mother's Birthplace: Ohio
Mother: number of living children: 2
Mother: How many children: 8
Marital Status: Widowed
Residence: Casey City, Clark, Illinois
Occupation:

Matilda S McGuiness 58
Nicholas Gehl 33, 9/66 ILL - merchant, 2nd marriage
Clarah Gehl 22, 3/78 ILL - married
Sarah Harper 37, 5/63 ILL - married but she doesn't know for how long ???
Vern Gehl 10, 8/89 ILL - g/dau
Grace Gehl 9, 1/91 ILL - g/dau
Hellen Gehl 2/12, 1/00 ILL [Clara's dau]

1910 -
Name: Clara Gahl [note spelling]
Age in 1910: 32
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1878
Birthplace: Illinois
Relation to Head of House: Wife
Father's Birth Place: Ohio
Mother's Birth Place: Ohio
Spouse's Name: Nicholas A
Home in 1910: Montrose, Montrose, Colorado
Marital Status: Married
Race: White
Gender: Female

Nicholas A Gahl 44, ILL - 2nd marriage, farmer
Clara Gahl 32, ILL
Helene M Gahl 10, ILL
Keith E Gahl 8, ILL
Sarah L Gahl 2, ILL
Harrison F Dale 20, TN - s/inlaw
Fain M Dale 20, ILL - married dau [most likely - Fern or Vern]

Hello and thanks! Yes, I have searched the database but have not found William himself. The Gehl family has been somewhat easier to trace - they ended up in New Mexico, Matilda with them which is where she eventually died.

What I'm most anxious to find is a death record for William, I'd like to find documentation of his parentage, but so far have not had luck.

Thanks though!