I have a g-g-g-grandfather William Heath who left for the goldrush in 1849 and was never heard from again. This is what I know about him: William Heath b. May 20, 1820 m. Lucinda Hargrave on Aug. 29, 1847 child b. May 9, 1848 named Marion Franklin Heath the marriage, and birth of Marion Franklin took place in Warrick Co. IN Wm. left for CA in 1849. Lucinda died not long after Wm. left, leaving Marion Franklin essentially an orphan He was raised by a family named Leach, I believe in Warrick/Pike Co. IN areas. He recorded a land patent for 42 acres in Warrick Co. IN on Aug 1, 1839 So this is what I do know...Wendy, can you tell me more about this book you mentioned? I was trying to figure out how he would have gone to CA. HE could have died along the way, or not...I am not sure how to begin. I don't even know where in CA the gold rush was. Any ideas anyone??? Eve