Coventry & Illinois connection?

I'm hoping someone can help me with this... I've been researching my family tree on and off for years and only recently discovered that family groups on both my maternal and paternal side travelled to Illinois USA (unrelated at the time of travel, but both lived in Coventry). My maternal grandfather's family were coal miners and from the little information I'm guessing they travelled from Foleshill, Warwickshire to Illinois for work and returned some time later. I'm unsure at this point why my paternal grandmother was born in Illinois, when all siblings were born Coventry. Any genius members of the forum have any information to shed any light on this?

When the settlement of north America was developing westward, there were numerous schemes to help populate the newly developing areas. They went so far as to advertise in British newspapers promising a paradise-like life in a land where everything was perfectly planned and beautifully arranged. In reality there was almost nothing there and many of the deceived emigrants had to make the best of it, having used all their savings to get there so were unable to return. The first discovery of coal in north America was in Illinois, the first commercial mine was in the early 1800s before Illinois was even a state, and over time there were 7,000 mines across the state. To investigate further, what dates are we talking about, and what surnames? The US censuses searchable by name begin in 1850, and are free to access, repeated every ten years until 1940.

That's fascinating! Thank you so much mcsporran for taking the time to reply. The surnames are: Harvey 1880 (found on the 1880 Illinois census). Coal mining family who returned to Coventry/Warwickshire and ran the Miners Arms, Aldermans Green 1891, so returned to the UK. Ellen Lucy Styles/Stiles born 1872 (Illinois birth noted in later UK census).

Hi, Thomas Harvey was licensee of the Miners Arms from 1888-1900. Link to the Pub page

Thank you Helen F... I'd love to find a photo of the pub from the time period 1888-1900, searched many sites but yet to find one.

I'll keep my eye open. Does the family have any connection with the previous licensee Simpson or the Sephton family or boat building as those might explain why they came back.

Thanks Helen F. There is no obvious connection but to be honest I haven't looked. I think I might now though! Thanks again.

But, you never came on here and asked me. I am known for having a interest in the area. Granted, it is not within your time period, it's c1907, but I don't think it would have changed a great deal during those 7yrs. The Miners Arms is the tall building to the left of the children:

I cannot believe you have found this!!!! Thank you so so much 20A Manor House, you've made my day honestly! Thank you!