I guess I will just be patient a little while longer. I am still very new at this genealogy thing. obviously patience is required! My check was cashed and i am hopeful that since I did send along a stamped self addressed envelope that i will get a response one of these days. I sent for my mother's military records (from st. louis) in june and they just got here on tuesday! i had almost forgotten about them. As for whether I meant portage or portage county...i am not sure, It was in the census for 1880 at the FHC. It just said portage as I recall. I have my g grandmother's birth date, though, so hopefully...thanks, karen near chicago