This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/AJ.2ADIB/1484.1.1.1 Message Board Post: Dear Lyresa: Several observations: 1) since I reside here in Austin, Texas, I have access to the Texas State Library. They house the death indexes and these indexes contain the death certificate number. Once this number is obtained, you can request the death certificate from the Department of Health. The cost is $11 and the wait is about eight weeks. So if you will provide me with any of your Sprouses that died in Texas after 1903 I will see what I can do. The state required, beginning in 1903, that counties provide it with a death certificate. But compliance was infrequent for the years 1903 through 1910; 2) if you will send me your Sprouse family tree I will do a little digging of my own. I use Family Tree Maker. If you use something different, the GEDCOM format will suffice; 3) the usual reason you can’t find an individual in the census is for the obvious reason that he/she was missed. But some of the time, he/she isn’t found because they ‘ain’t where they SHOULD be.’ So if you can’t find your Sprouse ancestor in Tennessee, try a neighboring state such as Kentucky. Some of the Sprouses moved to Missouri. Others moved to Arkansas and resided there a few years before moving on to Texas. I can be reached here: [email protected] Thanks, Dan Flanagan Austin, Texas