> I have a situation where I have found a gg grandfather and family in > the 1880 census but then he and his wife have disappeared by the > time of the 1900 census. Since he was born in the 1830's, I am > assuming he and his wife died during that 20 year period. Should I > try to narrow the dates down further or should I write to the county > asking for a death record based on a 20 year window? > > "Frank Cullison" <fcullison@yahoo.com> Try narrowing the dates first. Directories and local newspaper items may help with this. If successful, you may then have a window much smaller than 20 years to give to the county clerk. If you are really lucky, there will be obituaries and you can give the clerk exact dates after all, if official death records are what you want. Austin W. Spencer "Austin W. Spencer" <AustinWSpencer@sdc.cox.net>