Greetings, Listers, Searching for that needle in a haystack! Area: Perry and/or Licking Cos. OH - Oct 1845 Our great grandfather Alfred M. MECHLING's parentage is not known. We suspect Jacob MECHLING s/o Peter & Mary (DOWNHOUR) MECHLING as his father. The mother, well, the "tale" my uncle gave us, is that his mother was the "little French girl on a neighboring farm." For years, I thought "nationality" French. But the area is VERY German. So, I looked into surname FRENCH -- and found at least one FRENCH family resided in this area of Ohio. If anyone finds a young gal having a baby ca Oct 1845, in this area of Ohio, and not keeping it, or perhaps dying in childbirth, I'd be MOST EAGER to hear. Alfred is found on each census (1850-1880), residing with a different family - but NOT with a FRENCH family. What validity has the "tale??" Guess only time will tell. Looking forward to hearing from listers with help and suggestions. Caral MECHLING BENNETT