I could find no James in the time period you mentioned. Herman has two indexes one for the Copeland surname and one for Coplen. He also indexes some of the non-Copeland/Coplen surnames involved with our lines. I checked both indexes and the pages noted and found no James with a birth date in early 1800s that matched your criteria. The change in spelling is difficult to follow. It occurs in James Coplen's listing in the early 1800s. He was born in 1802 in VA. He sired a James, of course, who was born in 1828. My impression is that the name spelling changes have been arbitary. I cannot specify the who and when without going thru the book, page by page. I'm sorry. Herman followed the "line" as he chose to - to himself. But, there are many branches, even in his end of the family. Herman lived "up the hill" from us in the Sierra foothills. He died in the early 1900s, if my memory is accurate. Good luck in your search. It sounds like a whopper........... jean dickiz@lincoln.midcoast.com wrote: At 04:24 PM 9/12/05 -0700, you wrote: >Note to all::I've been using Herman Coplen's book as reference and a guide >to research. He's done a terrific job of extensive research. Dear Jean: You will undoubtedly be swamped with lookup requests. My husband and I will be eternally grateful if your patience will bear up for one more. Does Herman indicate when any name changes to COPELIN/COPLIN/COPLEN occurred, and if so, does he follow any of them? We have been unable to trace the parents/ancestors of my husband's great-grandfather, James Anderson COPELIN, "an orphan in Indiana, with two brothers born in Kentucky or Virginia: John, who went to Keokuk, Iowa, and Thomas who went to Salem or Iuka, Illinois; and a sister who married a Mr. HATCHETT." James' d/o/b has been given as 26 Dec 1807, the place as Kentucky (according to censuses); he died 8 Oct 1872 in Oconee, Illinois (now Shelby Co.) He married 15 Feb 1829 "on the White River," Monroe County, Indiana, Elizabeth Smart THOMPSON (although they aren't in the 1830 census). I hope you can help. and look forward to hearing from you when you have time to look. Thanks! Isabel ==== COPELAND Mailing List ==== To contact the List Admin: mailto:COPELAND-admin@rootsweb.com To unsubscribe from List Mode: mailto:COPELAND-L-request@rootsweb.com?subject=unsubscribe To unsubscribe in Digest Mode: mailto:COPELAND-D-request@rootsweb.com?subject=unsubscribe AOL USERS: Send an email to:COPELAND-L-request@rootsweb.com (In Digest Mode change the "L" to a "D") with the word unsubscribe in the body of the message. ============================== Jumpstart your genealogy with OneWorldTree. Search not only for ancestors, but entire generations. Learn more: http://www.ancestry.com/s13972/rd.ashx "If you come to a fork in the road, take it." Yogi Berra