Land wasn't any cheaper here than it was anywhere else. However, there were huge coal mines in Dubuque and the land was finally opened up after the BlackHawk wars in 1834 so it made it open territory for anyone. However, I have researched all of the Byerly family history and have that if you'd like. I can send you a gedcom file or hardcopy, whichever you'd like. -- Diana Hanson, Administrator, Iowa Digital Education Association Professional Genealogist ************************************************* What good is magic if it can't save a unicorn? ************************************************* http://www.idea.edu/index.html (Idea School) http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Parthenon/5327/ireland.htm (Original IrelandGenWeb Resource Pages and Passenger Lists) http://www.idea.edu/courses/general/gen/index.html (Free Genealogy Classes) http://www.idea.edu/staff/hanson/hubbard/index.html (Mother Hubbard's Cupboard)