:> 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> That might depend on the State. Here in Alabama, statewide reporting of births and deaths wasn't required until 1908, if memory serves, with full compliance taking some years. For the most part, counties don't have records of deaths at all prior to that time, though there may be some exceptions. So you should probably check to find out the situation in the area of interest. = Steve = -- Steve W. Jackson Montgomery, Alabama "Steve W. Jackson" <stevewjackson@charter.net>