Hi Suzanne, I checked the Getty Museum Thesaurus of Geographic Names (TGN) and found many places in the world with the names of Last Chance. Eliminating the out of California and out of the gold mining areas, considering the time frame and checking in several reference books, I have two possibilities for you to consider in your search for William Henry RUSK. From Paul D. Morrison, "Placer Gold Deposits of the Sierra Nevada"; Gem Guides Publishing Co.., Baldwin Park, CA, 1997: Placer County: Last Chance--Location-This extensive placer-mining district is in eastern Placer County in the vicinity of the old mining camp Last Chance, 10 miles northeast of Michigan Bluff and 15 miles southeast of Forest Hill. It includes the the "diggings" here and at Star Town, Deadwood, and American Hill. Last Chance got its name when a starving miner used his last bullet to kill a deer. The mines in the district were operated almost steadily from the early 1850's until about 1920. In Hoover, Rensch and Abeloe, "Historic Spots in California", Stanford University Press, 1966, I found the following cites: Placer County: Last Chance-- The search for treasure had led a little group of prospectors into this remote region in 1850. Several rich deposits discovered in the vicinity caused them to linger until all the provisions were gone and starvation threatened. One of the company possessed a good rifle. Saying to his companions, "This is our last chance to make a grub-stake," he went into the forest and returned with a large buck. Thus the miners were able to return to their diggings and a new camp earned its name. This at least is one of several versions of the origin of this name. Plumas County: Last Chance-- ...valleys along the Feather River...American, Indian, Big Meadows, Buck's, Humbug, Mohawk, Genesee, Sierra, Long, Red Clover, Round, Last Chance, and Onion. Onion Valley-- Here a member of the party, known as "One-Eyed Moore" discovered rich diggings and a camp was at once set up. Other discoveries were made, and soon the region was swarming with diggings: Dixon's Creek, Poorman's Creek, Nelson's Creek, Sawpit Flat, and many others....to the west was one of the several places in Plumas County called Last Chance. Hopefully, one of these leads will 'pan out'...please post back to the List if you find more information. Nancy Howard _________________________________________________________ DO YOU YAHOO!? Get your free @yahoo.com address at http://mail.yahoo.com