Hi Judie, I have always had this old family story saying my gggm fled the Civil War because she was caught spying and was imprisoned and then escaped via help of (General Grant or Lee's wife or wife's sister . She helped them by putting my gggm and children under her skirt and loaded them on a boat that took them down the Mississippi from St. Louis, then they took a ship to Panama on to SF by 1868. I have been searching for Ship Records for the window of 1863-1868 Panama to SF for along time. It sounds like your book index may have some of these names. I would love to know if my family maybe in this book. Elizabeth McLaughlin (may have been Rachel Elizabeth) - Her maiden name was "Scranton" John L. McLaughlin Two little girls: Mary Matilda McLaughlin and Emma or Emily C. McLaughlin (she was a baby) There maybe a chance Elizabeth was with her girls with out her husband. Any combo I'd me interested in! I know it's a common name. John was NOT a Captain as I have found lot's of McLaughlin Captains. Thanks, Cathie