In Response to Stephanie's list of children of Thomas D. Corkill (also spelled Corkell on some documents) and his wife Mary Ann Sheffield. Those are two of my great, great grandparents. Their daughter Maria (pronounced Ma-rye-a in the family) married my great grandfather Simon D. Brott (son of Charles Nicholas Brott and Matilda Brott - brother of Sylvan *add "us" to Sylvan to get full correct name* Brott [8th and 9th Illinois Cavalry], Charles Brott III and Lucy Brott) in the year 1877. By that time I believe Thomas D. Corkhill had died. Thomas D. Corkhill served in the 15th Illinois Infantry from 1862 to 1865 during the American Civil War - mustering in as a private and out as a Sergeant. Thomas owned farmland in McHenry County IL, same county as he was recruited from in 1862. I believe I found record of his attaining US citizenship in 1866. I believe Maria was born about 1853. Maria and Simon D. Brott are parents of my grandfather, Earnest Brott (b. 1892), Earnest is father of my Mother, Mary Ellen Brott born 1922 died 2004. My mother's siblings are Carol Brott Ingbretson, Victor Brott and Lester Brott. Lester is the only surviving sibling as of this writing 1/4/2010. I'm very interested in sharing information with anyone interested in the Corkills / Corkells in America. The Brott family traces its American presence back to 1637 by the spelling Bradt, later then Bratt, then Brott in Dutch New York. Thanks for sharing, George