http://www.surnamedigest.com/bransoninfo Thanks for the website. I don't know if this has been mentioned before, but in someone's older published transcription of the Laurel County 1900 Census, BRANSON is transcribed as BRANSTON. I know for certain this is my BRANSON family. The 15 year old Charles H. was my grandfather, and the siblings were my great aunts and uncles. My theory is the fancy tall top of the middle cursive "S" in the original got read as an "S" and a "T" by someone not familiar with that type handwriting. So there is another variation to look for... June 6 Mag. Dist. Haselpach Precinct July 10, 1900 (June is crossed out and July written in) Laurel County, KY Branston, James G. Head WM Aug 1859 40 Marr 16years KY KY KY timber dealer, rents home, scrawled in above timber dealer is the note: saws logs _???_ he can read and write Sarah wife WF June 1864 35 marr 16years 7children born 7alive KY KY KY Charles H. son WM Jan 1885 15 single, KY KY KY log cutter but in school last 3 months John W. son WM Feb 1887 13 single, KY KY KY log cutter but in school last 3 months James M. son WM Mar 1889 11 single, KY KY KY log cutter but in school last 3 months Ida dau WF May 1892 8 single KY KY KY goes to school George W. son WM Mar 1894 6 single, KY KY KY goes to school Frank L. son WM Oct 1896 3 single, KY KY KY Minnie dau WF May 1899 1 single all adults can read and write (This is a Branston family listed next to the above, I figure they are probably related) Branston, Charles A. Head WM Apr 1866 34 Marr 10years KY KY KY timber dealer note above says: saws logs daily (or mainly), owns his home free Winnie E. wife WF Jan 1872 28 Marr 10years KY KY KY 7children 5alive James E. son WM apr 1891 9 single KY KY KY goes to school William C. son WM July 1892 7 single KY KY KY not in school Marion H. son WM Mar 1894 6 single KY KY KY goes to school Fred C. son WM Mar 1895 5 single KY KY KY Mamie dau WF Mar 1900 2/12 single KY KY KY