Bettie and all: In fall of 1884, nine members of my GIBSON family moved from Madison County, AR to Monterey County, CA. Of the nine family members my direct ancestors consisted of the following: Joseph GIBSON (1813-18??) ggg-grandfather Mary Ann (Johnston) (Basham) GIBSON (1825+/- to 18??) ggg-grandmother George Lafayette GIBSON (1848-4 Oct 1937) gg-grandfather Margaret Elizabeth (Basham) GIBSON (1851-27 Mar 1931) gg-grandmother Thomas Ional GIBSON (1871-6 Jul 1921) g-grandfather A letter written by one of Thomas' two sisters in 1964 says that the family arrived by train in Soledad and then went to "Indian Valley, Monterey County, where one of Grandfather's daughters lived. We bought a home there and stayed a few years.........Later we moved from there to San Felipe and Gilroy near Hollister." One of the girls taught in Hames Valley and they both taught in San Lucas. Not sure where these are located. I ordered a set of detailed Monterey County maps for XMAS so will see how well Santa (my older daughter lives in Monterey) cooperates. The only two I am interested in is Joseph and Mary Ann GIBSON my ggg-grandparents. In 1888, both Joseph and his son George register to vote in Monterey County, as shown by the Great Register. They both said they were living in Slack's Canon(hispanic spelling). On 22 Nov 1894, my g-grandfather Thomas I. GIBSON, married Lena BELLAH who supposedly was born in Monterey, Monterey, CA on 22 Nov 1876. They were married at Metz in Monterey County. My grandmother, Ferol Velma GIBSON was born at Metz on 17 Sep 1895. Their next child, Ethel Mae was also born at Metz on 18 Mar 1897. Their third child, Noma Nancy was born on 7 Mar 1900 in Watsonville, Santa Cruz, CA. From this I assume that they moved from Metz in Monterey County to Watsonville in Santa Cruz county sometime between March 1897 and March 1900. George, his wife and several of his grandchildren appear in the 1900 census as living in Watsonville, Santa Cruz county. The entry is somewhat loused up since my grandmother shows up as George's (her g-f) son and there seems to be no listing for my g-grandparents. My grandmother's sister mentions that Thomas went to Alaska for the gold rush and maybe he's there and not in California at time 1900 census was taken. Thomas' third daughter's name NOMA is a corruption of the city of Nome, Alaska, or so the family said. By 1905, Thomas' family had moved to Alameda County,CA. By 1910, Thomas and Lena and their 5 children are living in Amador County. What I am in need of is death and burial information for Joseph and his wife Mary Ann. From available information I conclude that she most likely died between 1884, when they arrived, and 1900 when the census did not show her. Joseph was alive in 1888 so must have died between then and 1900. I have initially assumed that the deaths most likely occurred in Monterey County although it is possible that if they occurred at sometime after Mar 1897 they might have happened in Santa Cruz county. Any help would be appreciated. Lawrence E. "Larry" KUTTNER of Oregon (He who muddies the waters) Larry Kuttner <kuttner@micron1.netcnct.net> RESEARCHING: KUTTNER [CA, NY, Prussia] BELLAH/BALLAGH [CA, AR, SC, VI, Ireland] GIBSON [CA, AR, TN] NEWCOMB [CA, CT, NY, ME, MA, England] REYMANN [CA, NM, TX, Alsace] SHADDUCK/SHATTUCK [CA, MO, IA, OH, NY, England] SHARROCK [CA, TX, IL, OH, NY, England]