I can see asking if they were free masons because that might be another resource to try to research for informatioin. I my self have set a list of questions to ask myself in "HUNTING" those elusive relatives or to find out more about where they may have come from. 1. what organizations did they join? Included in this are churches, communinity and state wide organizations. This would include free masons, to see if there are any lists that are available and because minutes of meetings might give me a clue as to where they came from. Leave no stone unturned. 2. The last known relative may have side lines that know more but these lines are not connected yet. Where can I search to find those side lines that I have no information on: Census, church records, public records, (births, wills, estate), journals, state histories, community histories, family histories. This would include free mason history if I were a Smith to see where they came from, how they deveolped and perhaps find a relative that was written about. If they belonged to a church, this would include the church history as in Texas several of the Babtist church organizations were formed with ministers coming in from other states as the area became settled. It would be important to look that up and to see if the minutes of the meetings or the joining of that particular church can be traced back to another church, such as Phil _____ came with Pastor Black in 1868 and was the choir director. Those items are fun and then if we have to we can search pastor Black and wher! e he came from. 3. Never make fun or disparge someone's posting. Yes, sometimes people post and it doesn't make sense to us but surely we are able to refrain from judging and commenting until we think about it. For instance, I would like to ask if ANYONE came from Copley Center OHIO in 1840 would they please contact me. IT is a vague post but I am desparte and since I can't find information through regular channels and I have found a lot of information on that area of OHIO I could share, I ask that my fellow posters be patient with me and others that might be desparate. Fact is if I found out that my line were a Free mason I would be thrilled to have another place to look. 4. Thank those that look up information or post miscellaneous information on every site. For instance I have posted what I researched and names I found that came from Copley Center, OHIO on this website so that someone who had that name in their line might get a clue and connect to me. This did not happen and I am sure many wondered why I went to the trouble to post the infomation here. Because sometimes people don't know where Jack Brown came from but recognize the name and date. Surely my JONES family was not the only family that came from Copley Center OHIO since it was near Kirtland OHIO. My JONES line came in 1840's as the Mormans were leaving. Perhaps you can help. I would be grateful. 5. Please practice some netiquette (manners). Kindness and Patience is a virtue. For those of you who want to explain your thoughts on a subject rather than ask information, please go to a chat room. Which I should go to but again, please be patient with our readers, you never know where or what informaiton will help you yourself. Personally, I don't care who did what when,(back then) but I do care who did what when when as I research so that I might find a thread (which of course I haven't) to lead me onward. 6. This is for those who have been so patient to read this message. I have a great need to find any information on the JONES family in Hancock Co. Any information may lead me back through a side line as I feel many were related even though they may have come from OHIO or KY or Iowa. I am willing to share anything I recieve so if you want the information kept private, please tell me so I do not overstep my bounds. Any organizations with the name JONES, SWIGERT/SWIGART, BROWN, EARNEST are important to me and please email me privately. Thank you Adrianne