You are on the right track, but a little off. The 2 Sept 1865 is in all likelyhood the day that letters of administration were issued. By this we know that he died without a will, otherwise she would have been the executrix. The 2 men listed were surties. They posted security to insure that she disrtibuted the estate according to law. Generally people who did this were paid a fee similar to bondsmen today. Earnie Retired attorney Kansasgirl22@aol.com wrote: hi guys, I found my Calvin Blankenship in a Court Record book and this is what it says: "Blankenship, Calvin, Int. Admrx, Delilah BLANKENSHIP, 2 Sept. 1865. Sec, James R. CRADDOCK & Byars MOONEY (pgs. 4 & 1)" My first question, Is September 2, 1865 the date that his estate went into probate, if not, what does that date mean? My second question, What does James Craddock and Byars Mooney have to do with anything? I am assuming that Sec = Secretary? As you can tell, I am VERY new to researching records other than the vitals and census records. I am hoping that one of you guys who have turned into old pros at it, will be able to shed some light on this for me! Thanks a bunch! Misty Wright (Researching: Adkins (Texas Co, MO, then CA), Blankenship (Texas CO, MO), Bradley (NC then Fulton, CO, AR), Caste/Easte (Crawford and Dent Co, MO), Gatewood (Fayette CO,IL then to MO), Madison(Jackson CO, MO), Matherson, McCaslin, Montgomery (Izard CO/Fulton CO,AR), Moore (Fulton CO, AR), Neal (Fulton CO, AR), Smith (MS then Dent CO, Mo then Texas Co, MO) Stricklin (Crawford Co, MO then Dent CO, MO) ==== BLANKENSHIP Mailing List ==== Visit Michelle Blankenship Worthington's website at: http://members.aol.com/aunteechel/blankenship.html Michelle website is devoted to the lineage of Ralph Blankenship (1662-1714) of Henrico Co., Va presented in family group sheet format with links to history, graphics, sources, other Blankenship Researchers email addresses and webpages, message boards and email lists.