Just an addition to what EW said: It is well to remember that not all old codgers recalling family history may be correct. I have this in my Vestal files--a transcribed detailed family tree that is so convoluted it is hard to follow. The family thought is precious and gospel. Not only that, the man recounting the 'facts' was 90. He was a southern gentleman and of course spoke with a drawl. The transcriber, his grandson, wrote the names as he heard them. One name that stopped us cold in our tracks was the surname: NUBIA. It was actually NEWBY and researchers found out many years later. AND the associations as well as names of children were not provided or not known. However it is good to note that family stories can be a good starting point for sure!!!!! Peggy in CA Although many genealogical lecturers pooh-pooh old county histories, some of them are fairly accurate (factual). What you have to do is to verify each statement. If the interviewee is a grandchild, and one of the younger grandchildren, he may get things all mixed up. But, if the interviewee is the old-timer himself, hope that he is a blabber-mouth. Example: I was searching a *burned* county in Illinois and stubbing my toe because the first book of deeds for that county no longer exists--only an index, or so a professional told me [ after taking my considerable amount of money]. I found a long bio in an old county history of a man mentioned in several letters to my great-grandfather dated before his death in 1881. The old Illinois pioneer described his family's migration to Illinois and told a lot of family history. His first wife [he had three, and he named all the living children and stepchildren] was probably the sister of my GGF!!! Had he not been so garralous, I may still be stubbing my toe!!! I wish you luck. I think you may have to expand your research field. E.W.Wallace Calhoun County was created by act of the state general assembly on 18 December 1832 from land ceded to the state by the Creek Indians. Originally known as Benton County, named changed to Calhoun County 29 January 1858. County seat: Jacksonville (1833-1895) and Anniston (1895-present). **************New MapQuest Local shows what's happening at your destination. Dining, Movies, Events, News & more. Try it out! (http://local.mapquest.com/?ncid=emlcntnew00000001) ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to [email protected] with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message **************New MapQuest Local shows what's happening at your destination. Dining, Movies, Events, News & more. Try it out! (http://local.mapquest.com/?ncid=emlcntnew00000001)