Cecile - >Thanks everyone. By the way, does anyone know how to trace back the land >ownership issue with the Peralta land grant stuff?? The Peralta land Grant "stuff" is traceable. However, much of the land was handed down within the Peralta family before being sold to the newcomers. Thus you have a number of descendant Peralta folk over most of Alameda Co. selling off property over a period of years. You speak of Emeryville. I'm guessing this would most likely be from the Rancho San Antonio, granted originally to Don Luis Maria Peralta which was handed down to his son Antonio Maria Peralta. He (Antonio) was selling property by 1850 in Oakland and Alameda. Good luck in your research, Wilbur H. Haines PO Box 165 The Sea Ranch, CA 95497 Voice 707.785.3268 Fax 707.785.2682