I am also searching for the origins of my Fickes family. I can trace back to John Fickes who was married to a Reutisill (could be Mary Elizabeth Rudysill on the LDS web site) John was born in PA abt 1781, possibly Cumberland County. He had 2 known sons, John, Jr, born abt 1816, and Jacob, b. 1810. They moved west, ending up in Coles/Cumberland County, Illinois. John Fickes Sr. remarried in Coles Co. to Lucy Webb and then died a few years later in 1853. Jacob had 3 girls, John Jr. had 2 boys, 1 baby girl who died. There were several Fickes families in Coles/Cumberland counties I can't seem to connect them. Also can't connect my line to Jost or Valentine Fickes yet. Any bit of information would be greatly appreciated!