Hello Margaret, Thanks for writing - all I can do at this point in time is give you some directions - as you can see, I am forwarding your e-mail to the AMREV-HESSIANS-L@rootsweb.com mailing list and open your query up to the readers of that list. I would suggest to review the mail list archives, and since you are a Rootsweb supporter already, you'll know where to find us. Good luck in your search for your BIRD - (or Vogel) Cheers, John Merz ----- Original Message ----- From: Margaret To: hessian@sympatico.ca Sent: Sunday, January 09, 2005 7:18 PM Subject: Hessian research Hello John,I was searching on rootsweb for the names of Hessian deserters, or whatever you want to call them for wanting to stay in America, and wondered if you would check for a name for me. I am really reaching,but my husband's great great something grandfather was Abraham Bird/Byrd we think born in VA.We can't find anything on him except marriage and death and that he served in the War of 1812.But I found a book in our local library that said he went from IN back to KY to visit his father and could hardly understand him because he spoke such broken English,that he was from Germany. Now to get to my question,I wondered if you might have something on a Bird/Byrd or possibly Vogel(I understand that means Bird in German) that lived in VA or possibly KY.From what I understand he was living in KY when Abraham enlisted in the war of 1812 and also when he died.Abraham enlisted from Shelby Co.KY. Thank you for your time,I hope you have something or can head me in the right direction.Any help will be deeply appreciated. Margaret Green green702@claynet.com