Hello everyone I have been at a standstill with my GATES research long enough, I plan to make "something" happen :-) I am researching a line that begins with one Yost/Jost Goetz possibly from Prussia. Approximately 4 years after the birth of their youngest son, John Philip, Yost and Maria left PA and settled in Rowan Co NC. After the death of Yost/Jost Goetz in NC 1798, his 4 sons, in order of birth, George, born before 1765 John born 1760-1765 Michael, born Jan 30 1776 John Philip, born 6 Oct 1781 PA, was the youngest of the four. The sons changed the spelling to Gates, and made preparations to leave NC. J.P marries Elizabeth Bullon in Rowan Co NC abt 1804, prior to leaving NC. Their son Michael/Mikel/Micail Gates, born KY 1811(possibly Muhlenburg Co), a second son Valentine, is believed to have settled in, and lived his life in Sumner Co TN. I descend directly from Mikel/Michael/Micail. I3 other sons, George, born before 1765; John born 1760-1765; and Michael, born Jan 30 1776 settled in the area of Sanagamon Co IL. Michael m. Catherine (Caty Ann) Cline in Sumner Co TN in the spring of 1830, They had a large family and in the process settled for a while in IN where my gr gr grandfather Simpson Franklin Gates was born (I still do not know what county). By 1850 the families of JP and Michael were found in the 1850 Federal census, living in Wayne Co IL. Both men were farmers, wagon makers, traveled the same exact migration routes, had an extremely similar naming pattern, etc. I find no absolute proof connecting them as father and son, I still search for that link. By 1860 the family (minus JP who has apparently passed on) is found living and farming in Lawrence Co MO. Also present are many other extended Gates family members. The Gates men enlist, serving the Confederacy during the War of the Rebellion. I have military records showing service for Michael, Simpson Franklin also called S.F or Frank, and Frank's brother John Wesley as well as a number of other names I can connect to my line in the MO 6th Cavalry, CO H. Just after 1870 i find the family, minus Michael and Catherine, living in Randolph Co AR. They settled in that area to farm and there are still any number of Gates to be found in Randolph Co, Clay Co and Greene Co AR today. It would appear the Greene Co Gates are not connected to my line but can not help but wonder if we were to go back far enough.....? There were several other Gates, nephews, grandsons that I can not locate after the war. The harder I search and the less I find, the more I wonder if Michael and Catherine may have gone to Texas once the war ended. If there are Gates in TX that think we may have a connection....boy would I like to hear from you! Thank you Gena Gates Lally AZ