I for one am very thankful for your post. I often felt that I would never see anything on my family. <<<.I erroneously referred to "brothers John and Bill Short". The information in these land abstracts do not lead one to conclude that they were brothers. Their kindred relationship, if any, is now unknown to me.>>>>> Actually think that they are brothers. According to 1860 Lafayette Co AR census for gg-parents, BB & Almentin Short, minor children are Wm F, John R, Robert H, Joseph B and James F( my line). Then 1870 A. Short shows up in White Co Clay Township, with same children, William is missing tho, I am sure because of age. <<<<<In a dispute over rents that John W. Short rec'd and failed to share with co-heirs Edna Tate and Frank Baker>>>> According to Book C p230-231 July 18 1910, E. M Short appointed J. W. Short sole heir and appointed guardian of gr-children, Joseph Franklin Baker and Edna Tate. (unfortunately did not get copy of complete info when there) Have wondered relationship of Isaiah Hardcastle age 2 with parents, was a boarder in home of Almontine Short in 1880 Clay Township census. <<<<[Although not stated explicitly, I conclude that Emma M. Short was the widow of Joseph B. Short, since no record of conveyance exists in the the land abstract.>>>>>> According to White Co marriage records. J. B. Short 21 to Emma Stahley 17 Apr 22 1875 book C 118 Robert H Short 22 to Eliza Howell ( Anne Eliza) 18 Nov 20 1873 book C 053 So Thanks again for the post. I have picked up other names to work with on their descendants. I so wanted to locate the land specifically when there Apr 2000, but ran out of time. Hope to get back there someday. Deborah Magnolia TX