Thanks, Wayne. I keep trying to find MY Matthew BATES, b.1790, VA. That is not much to go on! I picked up his trail as a land purchaser for cash in 1825 in Tuscaloosa, AL. Later he turns up in the 1840-1850 Kemper Co, Mississippi census and apparently died there after 1950, because his wife was listed as a widow in 1860 census living with son-in-law, last name GEORGE near Philadelphia, MS. Have never found burial info for Matthew or death date. Matthew Bates, b. 1790, VA is my most likely suspect for a 3G G'father, and most likely father of Francis Marion (F.M.) BATES, my 2G G'father, b. AL 1818 (per one census) or b. GA 1818-9 per another. I have worked out a scenario which fits several people into the family as siblings , but have no documentation. The few facts I have: Matthew's wife was a Jane (unknown), b. N.C. abt 1796. He had a daughter named Hannah Louriana, called Lani/Loni who married B.N. George with whom Jane lived as a widow. Would be wonderful if someone has a few scraps of info which fit this picture. Thanks. Jack Bates [email protected]