This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: Akers, Smith, Johnston, Gunter, Collings, Yates Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/zk.2ADI/98.101 Message Board Post: Janet, John R. & Rachael Smith are my great-great grandparents. Your information lines up with what my grandfather has written. John and Rachael's daughter, Mary C. (Mary Catherine), was born in or near Terre Haute. She married Thomas Finley Akers, and they lived in Manilla, Iowa. They had four boys, one of whom died quite young. The other three were Earl Ray, Harold Bryan, and Clyde James (Jim). Harold was my grandfather. He was 101 when he died in 1999 in Colorado -- a wonderful man to know and sharp of mind to the end. I believe Mary C. Smith Akers died in 1920. Earl had children (I don't know how many!). Harold had one son. Jim had none. Here is a reference to Mary C. in the 1900 census for Nishnabotny Township for Crawford County. It lists the states John and Rachael were born in. http://www.rootsweb.com/~iacrawfo/nishnat17t18c.htm I hope this helps. Chris Akers Orlando, Florida