Hello all! I am new to the Blanchard-L list. My mother's maiden name is Blanchard. Her father was Charles Claude Blanchard, b. 4/12/1900 Van Buren Co., IA; d. 6/12/1969 Des Moines, Polk County, IA. His father was Joseph Hiram Blanchard b. July 1, 1857 in Indiana (prob. Vigo Co.) and d. July 12, 1922 in Mahaska Co., IA. Joseph's father was John Blanchard b. October 1828 or October 1832 in Pickaway Co., OH. This John Blanchard married Sarah Susan Porter abt. 1856 in Vigo Co., IN. John and Sarah moved to Champaign Co., IL by 1860. John served in the civil war (Co. B., 51st Ill. Inf). John and Sarah moved to Mahaska Co., IA by 1870 anlived there until 1885. John and Sarah were PROBABLY divorced between 1885 and August 1886 when John married Elizabeth (Topping/Topin) Ellis in Marion Co., IA and they sold their property and moved back to Homer, Champaign Co, IL. John Blanchard applied for pension in 1897 from Homer, Champaign Co, IL. Pension papers support all the places of residence. John listed his parents names on his second marriage application as Alvah H. Blanchard and Julia Ann Welch. Census records indicate his parens were both born in Ohio. I hit a brick wall at this point. Any help greatly appreciated. Christy Jay