Surnames : Cates, Milford, Toops, Worden I'm a new subscriber to Van Buren Co. list. First a hearty, well deserved thank you to Rich Lowe and co-workers on their efforts and dedication on a very informative and productive web site. The site has provided me much useful information and links to other nearby IA, MO and IL Co. sites. I'm a displaced mid-westerner with my maternal line roots in northern Illinois (McHenry Co.), southern Wisconsin (Walworth Co.), southern and northern Iowa (Van Buren Co., Kossuth Co., Palo Alto Co., Dickinson Co.). Ggrandfather Ennis Henry Worden b.12 Mar 1854, Kane Co., Illinois, d. 22 Jul 1900, Bentonsport, VBC, is buried in Bentonsport Cemetery, having married 2nd (Oct 1898) Mary Quaintance, b. Bentonsport, May 1860. I have his large Worden line, but do not know with whom or why he removed from northern IL to VBC area. Grandfather John Cates b. 14 Apr 1878, Farmington, VBC, d. 18 Mar 1916, Walworth Co., WI. John and Edith Alice WORDEN Cates' (b. 6 Feb 1884, Shopiere, Rock Co., WI) four eldest of nine children (Charles Richard, b. 9 Aug 1902; Elmer Noah, b. 20 Oct 1903; Edgar Worden, b. 15 Oct 1905; Alice Margaret, b. 13 Jul 1907) were born in the Farmington area. The fifth, Irene Mabel, was b. 26 Feb 1909, in Clark Co., Mo. John Cates' sister, Marcena, b. Dec 1879 (?), probably in VBC, married Charles Toops (b. 11 Nov 1875, Clark Co., Mo.) abt 1899. John and Marcena Cates' parents were William (b. 1843, KY) and Margaret E. MILFORD Cates (b. 1855 (?), IA), m. 25 Oct 1874. Family lore is her name was Margaret, however, in Clark County, Missouri Marriages, 1866-1900, the marriage is listed as William Castes (sic) and Mary Milford, 24 Oct 1874. According to the 1860 IA Census, VBC, Farmington Twnshp, Margaret E. Milford had an older sister named Mary E. Was this just a recording error? I would like to know if anyone else has worked on the Milford, Cates, Toops families in Van Buren Co area. Particularly, where are William and Margaret Cates buried, did they have any additional children besides John and Marcena, when and with whom did Wm migrate from KY, from what KY county did he migrate? Where are Charles and Marcena Toops buried, did they have any children? Any information at all on Margaret Milford's family? If desired, you may e-mail me directly at lahollytree1@aol.com. Thanks for any help in advance. Lloyd A. Holly