This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: ed57176 Surnames: Classification: census Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/surnames.gibson/5616.3.2/mb.ashx Message Board Post: Okay, time to share another piece of information. This one has been out there waiting to be connected, and it just jumped out tonight. In one of my previous posts, I mentioned the David and Mercy Gibson family of Tazewell, IL as recorded in the 1850 US Census as a possible family of origin for Elisha. My thinking was that this family had two sons of the correct age range in 1840 and in 1850, Bascom was the only son in that age range still with the family. I speculated Elisha was apprenticing with a blacksmith in 1850 and created that "hole" in the family. I have also speculated Elisha's son, George David Gibson, might have been named for George Lewis - Ann's father, and perhaps his other grandfather, a David Gibson. Here is the new scrap of information pointing to this same David Gibson family. In the 1870 US Census for Allen township, McLean, IL, the Elisha Gibson entry includes a David Gibson, age 24, born in IL, listed as a hand on the farm. In 1850, the David and Mercy Gibson family has a son, David A., age 5, also born in IL. In 1860, David A. is listed with the same David and Mercy Gibson family in Pike township, Livingston county, IL, at age 14. The ages are close enough to make me speculate the younger David Gibson in the 1870 US Census listing is either Elisha's brother or a fantastic coincidence. So far, I cannot find the David and Mercy Gibson family in the 1870 census, and in 1870 Bascom Gibson is listed back in McLean county with his own family. This makes me wonder if David and Mercy passed away between 1860 and 1870 and Elisha and Ann took on David A. as a farm hand since their father was no longer farming and the younger David needed a new situation. Obviously this line of thinking is still circumstantial at best, but this may be the best connection we may get to go searching for additional records. If we could find more information about Bascom Gibson (in one census he was listed as F. Bascom Gibson) and if any of his records list an older brother, Elisha, then that would just about confirm my suspected link. Any thoughts? Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board.