Wanda Brown has been helping me over the past few days zero in on my Brown-Messer family of Missouri! She's found some census records that have filled in some blanks. Ta-Dum! I had this info on Wm. Brown as an orphan: 1850 Jackson Co, Alabama Census, District A-19, Henry S. Higgins, Asst. Marshall Dwelling #193 Ann Price 40 F $3000 Va Robert 24 M Farmer Ala Mary P. 19 F Ala Lucy J. 17 F Ala William Brown 13 M Ga She sent me links to this: 1880 Federal Census: Page 14, Blue Mound Township, Vernon County, Missouri, 13th June 1880 Looks like: Brown, W.M. , 41, husband, farmer, brn. GA, Father: Ireland * , Mother: GA Wife Sarilu (?), 27, housekeeper, b. KY, Father: KY, Mother: KY D. N., son, 8, MO Clyde C., son, 6, MO E.G., son 5, MO F.M., daugh, 4, MO A.B., daugh, 1, MO Thompson, A. female, 17, servant, Ohio *First time ever I've seen a connection to Ireland!! No clue as to father's name. Would love to know what all those initials stand for. Next household: Messer, D.A. husband, 49, farmer, b. Alabama E.E., wife, 48, keeps house, b. Georgia Mary, 19, daughter, at school, b. M Ida, 15, daughter Charles, 13, son Where is Clara b. 1863, my gr-grandmother??? md. Edwin Richey Landes 1887 NOTE: E.E. here is Elizabeth Brown, sister to both William M. and Miles. Still haven't found their sister, Eliza and who she married; moved to Arkansas. Next household: Must be Miles Brown's widow, Amanda J. (UNKNOWN Maiden Name) Brown, Jane, 44, Mother, b. NC, Father: NC, Mother, NC Wm., 21, son, works on farm, b. MO, Father: GA, Mother: NC David, 16, son, laborer, b. N.B. (Nebraska), Father: GA, Mother, NC M.F. (Fannie), 11, daughter, MO, GA, NC A daughter, Susan E. was born 1861. Where is she? Married? Hope someone recognizes these families! C. Carolyn Whaley Vosburg Houston, TX