This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: HICKS Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/Cei.2ACEB/2907.2925.1.3.1.1.1 Message Board Post: Thanks for your input regarding genetics. In researching the Hicks family my husband descends from I have seen hearing problems repeated often--except, we do not have it in our line, and were not aware it existed until I found the 1850 census for Blount Co, Tenn, and discovered it was documented there. That was a surprise, since we weren't aware of it's existence. But, when I enquired about that point with the older generations that were alive at that point in time, they knew about those that were deaf, and could name them. Because of this deaf gene, this branch of Hicks didn't own land, or serve in a public office, or do anything that would help me pinpoint where they originated from. I have only seen a few documents that actually account for things of this nature--one being a will that provided for Hicks children, who were deaf, by their parents--back in Virginia in the Colonial period. There is no paper trail to follow that would give a clear connection to any other! Hicks family. If anyone knows of a connection to this branch of the Hicks family tree, I hope to hear from you soon! Mary Hicks