This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.families.aol.com/mbexec/msg/an/Fl.2ADE/1855.1 Message Board Post: Debbie wrote, "... Sparks and Mary Jane Beal ... looking for any documentation of their son Cary's birth. He was born May 30,1867. Anyone have any information on this family? Debbie" Debbie, note that in 1870 Cary is listed as a female ("Carrie"), and in 1880 as a son. 1870 US Census, IA, Hardin Co., Union Twp., Eldorado PO BEAL, Sparks, 27, male, white, School Teacher, real property $1800, personal property $360, OH Mary, 28, female, white, keeping house, PA --Frank, 5, male, white, IA --Carrie, 3, female, white, IA --Cora, 7 months, female, white, IOWA (born October 1869) 1880 US Census, IA, Mahaska, Richland, ED 164 [Also on this page is a Hiram BEAL family.] Beal, S.R., 35, farmer, OH Mary, 36, keeping house, PA Frank, 15, son, farm laborer, IA Cary, son, attending school, IA Corey, 11, daughter, at school, IA John, 9, son, IA Gernsia, 7, daughter, IA Hiram, 3, son, IA Olive, 1, daughter, IA Note that there is probably a connection between the Sparks BEAL family, the Hiram BEAL family, and the William BEAL family, all in Mahaska County in the 1880 census; each household has one or more sons "named after" the other BEAL heads of household.