Hello Everyone: I have previously made posts to this list, but cannot access them due to a Gateway tech erasing my harddrive during a troubleshooting session. Therefore, if I am repeating a previous post, forgive me. Also--would like to hear from others who have corresponded with me so that I can update my address book. I spoke with my Great Aunt Alice yesterday and found out where my ESTES family was from. My Ggrandmother was Carrie Bell ESTES (birthdate unknown). Carrie died in Nashville, TN on 26FEB1936. She was married to John Henry Morgan McEWEN. Sometime after her death, John Henry married her sister, Lenice ESTES. Lenice died in Orlando, FL in the early 1990's. Carrie Bell ESTES had one sister (Lenice) and two (2) brothers--Ed and Ben ESTES. They were from the Tullahoma, TN area. I'm not certain of the county--perhaps, Bedford County? The children of John Henry and Carrie (ESTES) McEWEN were: Ollie "Irene" McEWEN - deceased Bertha Vernell McEWEN, 1915-1971 (my grandmother) Robert Franklin "Bob" McEWEN - d. Dickson Co., TN Mary "Alice" McEWEN - still living Lou Helen McEWEN - d. 12JUN1997, Nashville, TN Henry LeRoy "Buddy" McEWEN - deceased Jasper Odell "Bo" McEWEN, d. Dickson Co., TN Charles Daniel "Sonny" McEWEN - d. 1998, Watsonville, CA John Henry Morgan McEWEN, Jr. - deceased If anyone connects to this family--or can send me in the right direction, I would love to hear from you. Any info would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance. Robbie Meadows-O'Brien James Island, SC (from Nashville, TN)

G'day Robbie, I'm cc'ing this to the Estes list since I get a lot of similiar queries, either via the estes list or directly and the research suggestions listed below will help anyone else searching for an ancestor born around 1900. > .. My Ggrandmother was Carrie Bell ESTES .. died in Nashville, TN > 26FEB1936. She was married to John Henry Morgan McEWEN.. > The children of John Henry and Carrie (ESTES) McEWEN were: > Ollie "Irene" McEWEN - deceased > Bertha Vernell McEWEN, 1915-1971 (my grandmother) > Robert Franklin "Bob" McEWEN - d. Dickson Co., TN > Mary "Alice" McEWEN - still living > Lou Helen McEWEN - d. 12JUN1997, Nashville, TN > Henry LeRoy "Buddy" McEWEN - deceased > Jasper Odell "Bo" McEWEN, d. Dickson Co., TN > Charles Daniel "Sonny" McEWEN - d. 1998, Watsonville, CA > John Henry Morgan McEWEN, Jr. - deceased With a family that recent you don't have many options to chase up, I'm afraid .. most of the readily accessible records are prior to 1900. The most obvious and *first* thing you should do is to get a copy of Carrie's death certificate. That should list the names of her parents as well as when and where she was born. Once you have that information you can then try tracking the family via census records - which should be made easier given that you know the names of three of her siblings .. Ed (Edward), Ben (Benjamin) and Lenice. The last may be a pet name so she may not be in the census under it. As for where to try .. the family was around Dickson Co, TN so you should try there. Also Davidson Co, TN - which borders on it and contains Nashville. You also mentioned the family had links (came from?) the "Tullahoma, TN area". That's in Coffee Co, TN so you could also check there. Also Moore and Bedford Counties which are nearby. The one birthdate you give for a child of Carrie was Bertha, born 1915. So Carrie was born in the mid 1890's or earlier. Assuming she's not an orphan or adopted, she should be with her parents in 1900 and possibly even 1910. So check the census records for both of those years. If Bertha was a latter child then you will have to search earlier census records. The realistic range for Carrie's birth would be between 1870-1900. I'd also try to find Carrie and John in the 1920 census. Assuming you know where they were living then. Dickson Co, TN? If you can find them in that census it'll give you information on their parents.. notably what state their parents were born in and it may also say when they married (Carrie and John, that is .. or specifically how long they've been married). Once you've found her parents and found some information on them you can then keep following the trail back via earlier census records f'instance .. and post to the estes list since someone may have heard of them! If ya still in doubt, pay a visit to your local family history centre (most of 'em over there are run by the mormons so call your local mormon temple and ask for a location). Ask for help and show them what you have. They'll help you order what you need and give you on-the-spot advice. At the period of time you are searching, you are highly unlikely to find anything on the net .. it's just too recent. But a FHC can help you get back that crucial one or two genrations to where you have a good chance of linking up with a distant cousin. Or cousins! cheers, David. -- The universe is not only queerer that we imagine, it is queerer than we *can* imagine - J. B. S. Haldane DC2.D A+++! L^ Pfwl Bfl Fo R+++! Ac+ J-- S++ Fr+++! I+ H++ $ M V+++ Cag http://xenon.triode.net.au/~dragon mailto:dragon@triode.net.au