This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/YNJ.2ACIB/870.1 Message Board Post: Debra, I can relate to your frustration -- but people don't normally answer when they don't have anything to say (I am being the exception right now, since I don't know anything about your Nathaniel). Keep in mind that there are numerous places to look. And, as far as not getting replies, I've read several provocative articles on how to word the subject line and the first part of the query to attract attention (can't remember where I saw them, but check at rootsweb or Cyndi's List). I particularly like "Guides to tracing family trees" at: - http://rwguide.rootsweb.com/ May I suggest to you that you find one or more male Cloud descendants of Nathaniel to join the Cloud Family Association dna project? DNA research will supplement your paper trail and can offer valuable clues on where and where NOT to look. You can find information on the Cloud dna project at: - http://mykindred.com/cloud/dna/ Also, are you a member of the Cloud surname email forum? You can join it by sending an email, with the word "subscribe" in either the subject and/or the body of the message to - cloud-L-request@rootsweb.com The people on the list are very helpful. sincerely, Tom Cloud board administrator