I'm trying to find the parents of Alva Cooper. According to the 1850 National Census of Allegany County, New York he was born in North Carolina in 1801. Family history says that he was a foreman on the building of the Erie Canal. He has several grandchildren and ggrandchildren named William. Maybe his father was named William? I would appreciate any help on this. His wife's name is listed as Sarah Graves. I believe this was a second marriage. Again, family history has his wife's name as Mary Otto. I would appreciate any help on this. This family is one of my "brick walls". His daughter, Elizabeth (Betsy) Cooper moved to Indiana and married Benjamin Franklin Bridges. They are my ggrandparents.