I know the feeling. A few of my lines seem quite similar--or perhaps the earliest known ancestor was either a) found under a cabbage leaf, literally or b) dropped off by aliens because there is no proof that can be found of birth & parentage. All I can say is: 1) try the surname lists for the name(s) in question. 2) try the regional lists where they are known to have lived. 3) try the ethnic list for the family's known/suspected ancestry. 4) keep trying--the lists are continually changing, maybe one of these days someone will know the line you're looking for. There are a lot of "lurkers" out there on many of the lists who never say much of anything. Your post may be the one they're looking for. Karen