Hi Cindy, I am pretty sure we are talking about the same Armstrong family! On the marriage record for Joseph L. Tell and Clara Armstrong, her parents are listed as James and Elizabeth Armstrong. I will look up this family in the 1870 Census. I haven't done any research on the Armstrongs yet, so hadn't looked at census records. Just noticed the name on your posting. I appreciate having the info on Thomas because it saves me wondering who he was when I find the census record. I do have a lot of info on the Tell family (my paternal ancestors) if you would want any info on the family that Clara Armstrong married into on 21 Jan 1891 in Burlington, IA. Records indicate that they came from Alsace, France sometime between 1844-1852, but I do not have any proof of that country of origin for sure. Thanks for writing. Susan ----- Original Message ----- From: SURFINCOWS@aol.com To: IADESMOI-L@rootsweb.com Sent: Sunday, March 04, 2001 10:56 PM Subject: Re: [IADESMOI] ARMSTRONG/TELL Hi, it could be. The Armstrong family that I am researching is a interesting thing-a big mystery to me so far. I hope this describes it somewhat- My GGGGGrandfather came to America in 1849 from England. His name was David Hawksworth. From what I have been able to find his father must have came too and died soon after he arrived in 1850. I found probate records in Burlington for him that list David as the executor. He also had a son by the name of Thomas that needed a quardian. A man and woman by the name of James and Eliza Armstrong were named his quardians. In some of the papers Eliza is referred to as his "Mother". I thought at first she was and that this was a second marriage, but, she could not be my GGGGGrandfathers mother-she would not have been old enough. Now I am thinking she may have been a sister to Thomas and took him in. I just am not sure yet. I do have the 1870 census from Burlington and have the Armstrong family on it. They do have a daughter by the name of Clara listed on it- she is 2 at the time. Then they have 2 boys other than Thomas who is 20. Irving age 18 and Abel age 16. The probate records are very hard to read. I went to Burlington to do some research and made copies. I just cannot figure out why Thomas Hawksworth was taken in by this family. It looks as though he went by Armstrong for a while and then went back to Hawksworth as an adult. Sorry, this is probably confusing- it sure is to me! If you would like more info from the census I can give it to you! Or if you know more about this family that would really be great! Thanks so much, Cindy Wilson ==== IADESMOI Mailing List ==== "You don't choose your family, they are God's gift to you, as you are to them." ~ Desmond Tutu ============================== Add as many as 10 Good Years To Your Life If you know how to reduce these risks. http://www.thirdage.com/health/wecare/hearthealth/index.html