I am in the process of tracing my family roots starting with the "Birt's" in Illinois to the "Dancey" family who came from Ireland to Canada to Illinois.

Right now I need to find the date of death of James Dancey, Sr., the marriage date to Barbara (?), place of marriage and Barbara's maiden name.

Also, how and why did Arthur Dancey change his last name to "Birt?" The Arthur Dancey Birt I am talking about lived and died in Decatur, Ill. and married Mary Rice, who died, and he later married Florence R. Sowash.

Any and all info will be greatly appreciated.