> is there a way that I can work back from the name I have now to > find what it was originally? Prior to civil registration in each state, people changed their names "at will". There was no process or legal requirement to register a name change. My G-Grandfather changed the spelling of his name from Sutherland to Sutherlin and back again nearly yearly for a decade. He also changed his residence frequently. Perhaps he was staying one step ahead of the rent and/or bill collector. I dunno. His brothers, in other states, did the same. They also lied about their dates of birth. I think that in our pursuit of ancestors, we must always view events from their time frame/perspective. Today, you would have a hard time unilaterally changing your name. In the 19th century, there was no impediment to that. Sandra SGordon817@aol.com