puzzling old desk

I have an antique family desk but I don't know how to describe it.
I'd like to know more about it but have trouble searching the
internet since I can't name it. I don't have the capacity to post a
picture, hopefully my description will suffice.

Kris Baker...

Hi, Amy

You're posting from qwest.net, and I see from their home
space that they give you personal web space. If you
can borrow a digital camera, you can upload the image
to your webspace and give us the URL.

It has a hinged slant-front covering the desk area which has a small
drawer and some "pigeon holes." It has a larger drawer below the
slant-front. I used to consider it a secretary, but most of the
pictures I see of those have drawers from desktop to the floor -
while my desk has 4 slender (queen ann style?) legs. The front of the
slant front has some wooden curlicues applied and the top of the piece
has a scroll-edged mirror about 6 inches high and running the width of
the piece. It has a paper tag on the back stating that it was sold in
Rock Island, Illinois (I think) but it's hard to make out -- logical
though because my Grandfather's people moved from Kentucky to Illinois
a few generations back. I kind of assume that it's from the mid to
late 1800's, because that's when most of my family furniture dates
and because the little desk drawer is filled with family documents
dating to that time (deeds and maps and forms.)

I'm looking at it from a genealogy/sociology standpoint - wondering
what it tells me about my family. I believe them to be farmers, and
wonder how & where they used such a desk. The mirror on top confuses me
as it seems more suited to a bedroom than an office.

Thanks in advance for any suggested web sites or books!