This message is being shared with a smile :), and is just a simple friendly reminder from one researcher to many others. When we are discussing COUNTIES in our messages and queries, it would be helpful if we all remember to include the NAME or INITIAL of the STATE that it is located in. This may sound very basic and simple, but I've noticed that many people seem to forget to include the STATE in which they are referring to in their messages. I have noticed, time after time (and not infrequently), that people take great care to compose detailed, and sometimes lengthy messages, about their ancestor research, including counties, but never once mentioning the state in the entire message. My own excitement and frustration peaks when I read of a similar family name in the correct county, only to find out, after wasted emails that it is the wrong state. Since I have seen this so often, I have decided to share this as a reminder to all. It would make it so much easier for all of us, if we could just remember this: Please keep in mind, that the Internet and these lists are accessed and contributed to by people from all over the US and world. There are 50 STATES in the these United States. Many of these states have counties of the SAME NAME. This may actually come as a surprise to some searchers. Examples (just to name a few): Reference: Handbook for Genealogists by Everton and every US Atlas. 8 STATES have/had a Butler Co.: Alabama, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. 18 STATES have/had a Clark or Clarke Co.: Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Missouri, Mississippi, Nevada, Ohio, Oregon, South Dakota, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, 19 STATES have/had a Clay Co.: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, North Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia, 6 STATES have/had a Dallas Co.: Alabama, Arkansas, Iowa, Missouri, Texas, Wisconsin, 10 STATES have/had a Pike Co.: Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. 12 STATES have/had a Polk Co.: Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Carolina, Oregon, Tennessee, Texas, Wisconsin. .....and so son, and so on. There are hundreds of county names that appear in more than one state. Please help yourself, and all of us, by remembering to include the STATE to which you are referring. This will make many genealogists lives so much easier. With a smile and a thank you for listening to my 2 cents. Happy Hunting! :) Cynthia SIMS Kirkland (This is not a flame, nor do I intend it to turn into a big discussion. I don't mean to open a can of worms or to offend to anyone. The above occurrences that I speak of are simply a matter of fact that can be resolved with a little forethought and common since.) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Researching these Genealogy lines: Sims (line 1)..... (includes: Vinson, Wright, Bottoms, Hartsfield, Wilmot, Nichols, Hamlin) SC>GA>AL Sims (line 2)..... (includes: Hilson, Odom, Austin, Hill, Ashburn, Forsyth, Falconer, Symes) VA>NC>SC>GA>AL SIMS line 2 possibly originating in Great Britain:Dorset, Somerset, Devon. Bradberry line. (includes: O'Neal/O'Neill, Cogdell, Gilmore, Barksdale, Harvey, Burnley, Terrell, Randolph) GA>AL O'Neal/O'Neill (includes: Bradberry, Sellers, Smilie, McMillen/McMillin, Frizzell, Ellis, Edwards) GA>AL Kirkland....... (includes: Singleton, Kellum, Tabor, Kuykendall,Hartfield) SC>TN>GA>AL>MS>LA>TX Singleton...... (includes: Kirkland, Major) MO>TX ______________________________ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Researching these Genealogy lines: Sims (line 1)..... (includes: Vinson, Wright, Bottoms, Hartsfield, Wilmot, Nichols, Hamlin) SC>GA>AL Sims (line 2)..... (includes: Hilson, Odom, Austin, Hill, Ashburn, Forsyth, Falconer, Symes) VA>NC>SC>GA>AL SIMS line 2 possibly originating in Great Britain:Dorset, Somerset, Devon. Bradberry line. (includes: O'Neal/O'Neill, Cogdell, Gilmore, Barksdale, Harvey, Burnley, Terrell, Randolph) GA>AL O'Neal/O'Neill (includes: Bradberry, Sellers, Smilie, McMillen/McMillin, Frizzell, Ellis, Edwards) GA>AL Kirkland....... (includes: Singleton, Kellum, Tabor, Kuykendall,Hartfield) SC>TN>GA>AL>MS>LA>TX Singleton...... (includes: Kirkland, Major) MO>TX