Hi Mitzi, I think you are generalizing waaaay tooo much. I'm sure some families may have had disagreements over religion and perhaps some made big moves west. Perhaps your line was one that had a split because of religion. I would encourage you to look at each family on a case by case basis. But, my Brownings moved into northern KY from MD about the time that KY became a state (1792.) I think they probably moved for economic reasons and not because of some big family split over religion. And, it's a long, tedious haul from MD to KY by horse or ox and by flat boat. A person just has to admire their ancestors for having the backbone and determination to make it that far. I'm crabby when I don't get my morning cup of coffee, let alone living day to day and doing the things that *they* did. ;o) I'm hunting for BROWNING data in Mason/Fleming/Lewis Counties in KY. John N. Browning was born about 1810 in Fleming Co., KY. He had three marriages registered in Mason Co., KY: Catherine Bramel, Mrs. Frances (Willet) Cooper, and Catherine (Rose?) Applegate. On his third marriage record he said his parents were both born in MD. Mitzi Hammond Perkins wrote: > Thanks to all who have shared their information on this subject. I am > learning more and more from each of you. > To explain a little more clearly about the North v. South Brownings: Prior > to the big split, all the Brownings were in the Maryland, New Jersey, > Delaware, Pennsylvania, Virginia area. Then there is some kind of > disagreement and part of the family moves west via the Mormon and Oregon > Trail to follow John Smith? (right?) who founded the Church of Jesus Christ > of Latter Day Saints. The Brownings who did not join the new church stayed > on where they were and eventually, slowly moved southward, somewhat > westward, to NC, SC, GA, MS,IL, TN, MO, LA, TX. > > ==== BROWNING Mailing List ==== > Surname Resource Helper: > http://resources.rootsweb.com/~clusters/surnames/b/r/BROWNING/ > > ============================== > Search over 1 Billion names at Ancestry.com! > http://www.ancestry.com/rd/rwlist1.asp