Stacy, If you haven't already done so, spend some time poking around the records at the Bureau of Land Management site http://www.glorecords.blm.gov/ This site allows one to search the land patents for many states (more to be added, hooray!) If you find a match you can even look at the original document on line. I did a quick search using your names in Grundy county -- there are matches. I have a feeling you will find some useful data. Also, when you find a name that seems to match your kin, go back and do a genealogical search using the land description (for instance, 31-61N-23W) and you'll sometimes find out who all the folks were who owned neighboring parcels of land. This is often very useful. Best of luck, Margery researching Michael Austin family of Linn Co, MO, 1857 - 1866