Thanks for trying, Joan. And yes, I did try Learl/Learle/Learls. I have another surname that I research that begins with an S (SEE) and it is oftened transcribed wrong.(LEE) Maybe my Searl family was missed in the 1880 census. I have tried everything from Sears to Cereal and Curl. Thanks again, I will try to remember that patience is a virtue. Cheryl in Oregon