Donald G. Hooper wrote: <dhooper@ameritech.net> > > My grandfather Ruben Harrison Grayson married Tena E. Hildebrand, who was born > in 1886 in Douglas County MO. I have tried to trace the Hildebrand lineage, > but the 1890 Census for MO was destroyed in a fire. I hope to find some way > of finding Henry Hildebrand (married Mary Ann Browning) sometime in the early > 1880. I have been told to check Soundex, but I don't know what that is, or > how to obtain it. I have responded to an EMail which said for $25 they might > be able to assist. I don't know if it is worth the cost, but has anyone had > experience with this time of paid research? I have some Soundex info at http://www.cswnet.com/~bbarnes/Soundex.htm Soundex was a big help to me as I had no idea where my Icenogle line lived when I started my search. I knew the names but not the location. Soundex is a way to find names that sound the same but are spelled differently. It helps if your ancestors have had their name spelled wrong in the census, which happens a lot. Icenogle Isnogle and Icenagle, for instance. There's several ways to get the microfilm: You can rent the microfilm from AGLL or the National Archives and read it at your local library. You get to keep it a full month. You can check your local Family History Center. Sometimes your library can get films for you on interlibrary loan. Depends on your library. If you order the film yourself, the Soundex code for Hildebrand is H431, The 1880 Missouri Soundex film you would need is series T758 and roll # 45. If you choose to have someone do the research for you, be very careful. I'm sure there's reputable professional researchers out there, but as with anything else, you have to be cautious. Has anyone had experience with a professional Genealogist? If so, let us know. Cathy