This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: GRAY, CARR (or KERR etc.) Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/Eg.2ADI/2320 Message Board Post: My 2nd great grandfather, James GRAY, and his wife Mary A. (Carr) GRAY emigrated from Scotland between about 1829 and 1833. He followed the trade of millwright and carpenter. They had 2 children in Connecticut in Nov. 1834 and June 1836 who were baptized in New York City. They were in Iowa (40 miles north of Keokuk- probably in or near Burlington) on govt. land engaged in farming by 1838 when daughter Mary was born. James Carr GRAY, my great grandfather, was born 1842 in Hancock Co as were his 3 younger brothers; William Jacks(on) GRAY 1844 Hancock Co. Illinois Alexander C. GRAY 1846 Illinois George Washington GRAY 1851 Illinois They are in the 1850 census with him listed as carpenter and value of real estate 1600. There are 3 James GRAY's listed in the Illinois Public Domain Land Tract Sales Database as purchasing land in 1835,1836, and 1844. He wasn't in Illinois in 1835 or 1836 so I assume he would more likely have purchased land in 1844. Could or would he have purchased land in Illinois while in Conn. or NY? Maybe he purchased land from an individual instead of from the state. The land purchased by a James Gray (mine?) in 1844 was; NWFR section 11 township 07N range 08W Meridian 4. IF I am reading the location correctly it looks like Appanoose. There are 2 James GRAY families in the 1840 census one of which is a good match. James Gray and family were Presbyterian and I believe belonged to the Masonic order. He might have been a captain of a ferry boat on the Mississippi. The family left Hancock County 1852-1854 by ox teams and covered wagons to Yuba City, Sutter Co. Calif. where he took up wheat farming and purchased land through homestead. My family didn't stay many years in Hancock Co. so they don't have a real history like families who stayed a long time do. Does anyone know of any sources in which I might find out more about my family during the time in which they were in Hancock County, Illinois? Thank you.