This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: scottjritchey Surnames: Ritchey Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/topics.researchresources.brick-20-walls/201/mb.ashx Message Board Post: So here's the deal - I've hit a brick wall with finding my ggg grandfather's parents. What I know: ggg Grandfather: David Preston Ritchey born Feb 11 1808. His obit lists the birth place as Blount County TN, however he lists his birth place on censuses alternately as TN or NC. He lists his parents birth place as NC on multiple censuses. He was a blacksmith by trade and a Cumberland Presbyterian Minister. He served in the civil war for the Confederacy as a Chaplain. He died in 1891. He was married twice: To Stacy Brown in 1829 in Marion County, TN and to Catherine Mitchell. Here's my question...what are some sources that I can use to find his parents? The early 19th century censuses do not list the entire household only the head of household. His marriage record does not list parents. His obit lists no parents. If there are birth records of that era I don't know where or how to find them. As a amateur researcher I am not yet aware of all the avenues to check. The man lived for 80 years...I'm sure that there is some record somewhere that lists his parents names...so what would that record be? PLEASE HELP!!! Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board.