I need a little input here regarding the following information about my great grandfather, Abram Willson/Wilson. I do not know who his parents were or if he had siblings so I am unable to go back any further than Abram. Abram Wilson was first found on the 1870 Morgan Co, AL census living in the home of a Mary Woodall. Abe is shown as age 18, white male, farmer, born in GA. Mary Woodall is shown as age 33, white female, keeping house, born SC. I have not been able to identify this Mary Woodall or gather any other information on her. Note also that a Sarah Crosby, age 21, blind, white female, born in GA is also shown living next door to Abram and Mary Woodall. There is also a 9 month old infant son living with Sarah Crosby but no adult male is shown in the household. More about a Crosby couple is found below. In Oct of 1870, Abram Willson/Wilson married Sarah Jane Nesmith of Morgan Co. AL. Though Abram was living in Morgan County at the time, the marriage was performed in neighboring Lawrence Co, AL. I have a copy of the license. Also included with this license is a copy of a letter/note that is addressed to the Probate Judge of Lawrence Co, AL. This document gives permission for "Abram Willson" to marry. The print is extremely faint and very hard to read. It is signed by what appears to be an H. H. Crosby and S. E. Crosby. Up until this document, any Crosby family had been unknown to my Wilson line. I'm wondering why send a letter to the Probate Judge? Would this indicate that Abram's parents were most likely dead and that the Crosbys had legal authority to sign? My first thought was that Abram's father had died and that his mother had married this H. H. Crosby. But if his mother was the S. E. Crosby in the letter, would the Probate Judge have been involved? Couldn't she have just given her permission? Since it was sent to the Probate Judge in Lawrence County, would this indicate that Abram's family probably lived or had lived in Lawrence County at one time? Would it indicate that an adoption, indenturship or any other legal matters concerning Abram had been carried out in Lawrence County? On the chance that Abram had been adopted by this Crosby, would Lawrence County be the most likely place to look and where would I go to look for such info? Since I live in TX and am unable to go to AL to do the research. What would be the best way for me to find out the information that I need? I would appreciate any help, suggestions, etc. Paula Wilson Dunklin