Earlier this week I posted a message about this family. Helpful replies both on and off list gave some import clues that are being followed up. Ended up they were not from Somersetshire. It appears that Clarey Ann HOUSTON who was married in Illinois in 1865 to Richard PAUL of Somersetshire was actually Clarissa Ann HEWSON, with birth registered in March 1847 in Wisbech registration district (Cambridgeshire). Further her parents appear to be Nathaniel HEWSON and Marianne BURTON married in Holbeach registration district (Lincolnshire) in September quarter 1846. The family seems to be the one on the 1850 census in Williamsburg, Kings County, New York with Nathaniel HEWSON, 27, ship caulker, born in England; Mary A. HEWSON, 25, born in England; Clarissa HEWSON, 3, born in England; and William HEWSON, 1, born in New York. Have not located Clarissa (Clara Ann) on the 1860 census nor her parents. Do have her on the 1870 census after she married. Nor can I find the parents on the 1870 census. Cannot find her brother William on any census after 1850. The 1880 census has a family that looks like her parents and younger siblings and indicates they likely moved from New York to Illinois by 1856. Nathaiel HEWSON, age 56, born in England; Mary Ann HEWSON, 56, born in England with four children ages 24 to 16 all born in Illinois. They are in Kankakee County, which is just south of the county in Illinois where Richard PAUL lived with his parents and siblings. Also helpful was the comment "HEWSON could easily be misheard as HOUSTON and misread as HENSON". Looking more closely at all the old handwriting this appears to be a definite likelihood. Have also found alternate spellings of HEWSON as Heuson, Van Heusen, Huson, and Hughson. Thanks so much Maggie and Celia for your help. Ruth Ann ____________________________________________________________ Make your vacation more memorable with a luxurious vacation rental. Click now! http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL2141/fc/Ioyw6i3nLySruqSPEQ6PCSvdNnzXkF9NwuF3nMRUmEOvNBMpeqZQb6/