Found out that the Cedar Rapids library has a digital archive of ALL Cedar Rapids newspapers from 1857-1977, plus all of the city directories through 1995, plus more resources up to date through 1998 and it’s all FREE and all available ONLINE! WITH a search engine! For anyone doing any family history research, what a goldmine! I’ve been finding obituaries and articles about a lot of my family - many of whom live in Cedar County, NOT Linn County (where Cedar Rapids is). So, for anyone interested, be sure you check this out Cedar Rapids Digital Archive

On a similar note, I’ve been making great progress lately, thanks to actually having a plan and using a research map.  Have made a ton of connections and found lost people through the census records, because I actually started keeping track of where I was looking and for who.  Spent one whole day in May researching cemeteries in IA and another in July researching cemeteries in IL.  Too much fun! Have found people that I didn’t know had migrated where and when they did, which has led to more census and newspaper research.  Can’t wait to take the new baby to his/her first cemetery expedition!