Glenda, don't worry but I am totally confused too, however, the other children mentioned in the 1850 Scott Co. census have been proven by previous family members back in the 60's to be my Virginia's siblings. Augustus also known as Gus, is in McLennan Co.TX the same time as Virginia and so is Sarah Jane. The Virginia Sparks who is living with her parents in Saline Co. married a Edwin F. Gaar Dec 1, 1868 and my Virginia clearly was a Smith by the 1870 McLennan Co. TX census with 4 Smith children born between 1862 and 1868. Does this make sense? Please e mail me directly at _neatstuffgifts@aol.com_ (mailto:neatstuffgifts@aol.com) because I only take this mailing list in digest form and only get it once a day, usually over night. Julie In a message dated 10/17/2006 2:04:01 A.M. Central Standard Time, altallap-request@rootsweb.com writes: Julie, I think I am missing something. Is this James R. in this message the one for whom you are looking for some guardianship papers, estate settlement or something? On page 2 of the Modified Register for William Lowe Mason, mentions William married Virginia A. Sparks, daughter of James "Jim" Sparks & Susan Harbin or Downs ---- Virginia was born 25 Mar 1842 in AL etc. I see on page 3 that Virginia is on 1850 census in Missouri with John Price & Georgeana Price. But what confuses me is before that on the 1860 Saline Co., MO census showing Virgini Sparks age 7 with her parents James M. & Mrs. M. R. Sparks. IS THIS NOT THE ONE FOR WHOM YOU ARE LOOKING FOR PAPERS IN TALLAPOOSA CO., AL? I may have misunderstood (but heck I am 71 yrs old & have earned the right to misunderstand things, huh?) Sorry to be so complicated, but I am very interested in this family. Thanks for sharing with me. Glenda