An ancestor of mine, Maybelle Ferguson of Blairgowrie, Perthshire, Scotland, and her siblings, William and Helen, emigrated to Washington, IL in the early 1850's. They left that area for Keokuk County, IA before 1860, and settled in a part of that county served by the Scotland Prebyterian Church. When I look at the "neighborhood", I note many Scottish names. In fact, a St. Andrews Society existed for a good decade plus. I also note, in reading obits of some of these immigrants, that they also had lived in Washington, IL before emigrating to Iowa. I know the 1850's were a time of high emigration from Scotland to the rest of the world but I am intrigued that my ancestor "knew" to go to a portion of Keokuk County, Iowa--heavily German--that was primarily Scottish. I am also intrigued that some went to Washington, IL. So maybe it is just coincidence but if anyone has any insight--or even a wild idea--into this not-particulary extraordinary situation, please contact me. dhh