This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: RBestrom7380 Surnames: Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.northam.usa.states.california.counties.sierra/643.2/mb.ashx Message Board Post: When you post, post the link to your family tree. It really helps volunteers to see the "big" picture of what you have already found. In this way, you won't get suggestions that have no relevance to actual. http://trees.ancestry.com/tree/1403987/person/-1948139926?ssrc= I found your tree after doing much of below, so there is info you already have. First, a bit of history (which you probably know): The great California Gold Rush began in 1848 bringing in large scale immigration from the US into this land of Mexico. California became a State on 9/9/1850, just after the 1850 Census where John is found in Illinois. So, at what point between 1850 and the CA State Census 1852 did he pack up and head out to CA? That might not be found. Sierra County itself was formed in 1852 from parts of Yuba County. This complicates matters as just where did the enumerator come ? A Sierra County webside identifies some 16,000 miners came into the area between 1848 and 1860. There are many ghost towns as the population diminished. --Based on your profile and love of history and travel, I seriously doubt that you need any help in finding information and history. Your comment on indication of specific town or camp is the main problem with this enumeration. John Ontes is on a page dated 13 August 1852. Page one of this set is dated 1 June, with hundreds of "miners" in between. The Enumerator was Francis Anderson, but he doesn't show up on the transcription, but there are MANY pages where the name is missing. There are five Andersons in Sierra Co in the US Census. The manner and means of the enumeration is extremely important to identify just what these persons were doing and where. I can't see an enumerator wandering about on horseback, or walking, and just going up to every person he sees for the count...all through Sierra County. Was there a method used? Did the enumerator go into hotels, saloons and other establishments for information? Did he just wait for mule trains or basic routes to bring them in? Yes, there is no identification of where these persons were located. And, there were hundreds of "miners" Were they all! individually working their own areas, or were they working large mines for a wealthy mine owner? As far as John, how was he enumerated, how long had he been there, set up or just passing through, lumped as being a miner with the rest? --One potential clue might come from the writing of Thomas Anderson. John Contes is enumerated last on page 106(Ancestry's listing). On page 111 is written a report on the mountains of Sierra County, and also a listing of population of various towns. This person's writing style makes it difficult to read, as does the quality of the image; but, you may obtain some idea of where he may have enumerated. I also looked for anyone being a Rancher to compare to the BLM land patents, but no land patents were issued in Sierra County that early. As far as a permanent record of claims, there could be, otherwise that comment made is totally speculation without knowledge of that area in that time frame, or the systems in place to record claims. However, based on the number of miners flooding the area, I would doubt you would find one for him just based on a statistical average of "luck." But, it will take someone with knowledge of that area, that time period and the agencies available. As far as a death record, I would NOT pay money for a search of a death record in Sierra County for several reasons. One being he died in Mendocino County per your own records. The Bureau of Land Management has a database of land patents issued under the Homestead Act: http://www.glorecords.blm.gov/search/default.aspx#searchTabIndex=0&searchByTypeIndex=0 identifies William Ontis obtaining 40 acres of land in Mendocino County on 4/5/1909. In the 1900 Census he was living at Anderson, Mendocino Co, CA, born July 1867. Jane Ontis was living at Rohnerville, Humboldt Co. In the 1910 Census, William was still at Anderson; Jane is not listed. I can show you how to find the location of this land via topo maps on the Internet if interested. Ron Bestrom Tacoma, WA Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board.