Connie, I would be most interested in getting in touch with the Gregory researcher, and in seeing the Gregory material that Keith has. I have had limited contact with a Gregory researcher in Tippecanoe Co., IN. She said the name Hiram is a common one in her line, but she did not know anything about the Hiram in Louisa Co. I have found that a fair number of the folks who came to Louisa Co. in the late 1830s and '40s came from Tippecanoe Co. and I would bet that this Hiram's family did also, and that might explain why Delilah Bedwell was living in his home. (John Bedwell and Eliza Jane Harnett were married in Tippecanoe Co. on June 30, 1836 - the Bedwell family moved on to Louisa Co. by 1837, and the Harnett family stayed behind - Eliza's parents are believed to have died in Jasper Co., IN.) As for Rachel Bedwell living in a George and Nancy Smith's home in the 1850 census. Rachel's aunt (John Bedwell's sister) Nancy b. abt 1817 married a George Smith (according to some info I was given - I've not seen a marriage record, though). I suspect this was the home that Rachel was living in at the time of the 1850 census. Here is the info I have: 1850 census of Louisa Co. Dwelling #15 Smith, George 29 Canada Nancy 33 VA Bedwell, Rachel 5 IA McClurg, Joseph 6 IA (Who was Joseph McClurg?) In my posting of a day or so ago I wrote that Rachel was in the home of George and Nancy (Blake) Smith. I believe that is wrong, and that she was in the home of George and Nancy (Bedwell) Smith. I look forward to the posting of the Bedwell marriages by Bev Todd. This may shed much-needed light on these families for me. Thanks again, Bev, for so tirelessly posting this kind of info on the Louisa Co. families that you've been doing - this is a tremendous boost to those of researching the area! Mari Nielsen Keith/Connie Street wrote: > Have you checked the marriages for these people? They could be aunts or > uncles, or just friends and neighbors. People were much more likely to take > an unrelated child into their home when trouble struck in those days, than > they are today. > > Keith has a lot of information on the Gregory family and we can put you in > touch with a lady in Burlington who has researched them extensively. > > Either one of them may have some answers for you. > > Connie > Keith/Connie Street > ckcasey@netins.net > 325 Franklin Ave, Wapello, IA 52653-1515 > 319-523-8164 >