I never introduced myself, I have been on the list for about a month or so. I am Larry W. Mabra, from Lancaster, TX. I am doing research on my mothers line which includes Williams, Bates, Foster, and Clark. Most of her folks started out in Texas in the Robertson Co. area, in cluding Franklin, White Rock, and Groesbeck areas. My gg-grandfather was Thomas Bates, 1833-1896 He married 1) Elizabeth Thomas abt 1859 in Robertson Co. TX. He married 2) Nancy A McClardon in 1879. Thomas was born in Alabama, unk County or area. His faterh was James M. Bates , no dates known. Good hunting.