Greetings to Brown County list members: I am considering a visit to Brown County during the week between Christmas and New Year's, which is one of the few times that I can be away from my work. Does anyone know what genealogy resources will be open and what will be closed? And if the Historical Society will be closed, is there any chance of arranging to use it by appointment? Can anyone suggest a least expensive motel? (this latter should probably be sent to my e-dress and not to the list.) I would appreciate any suggestions on what to do and whom to contact. I am looking for information on my g3-grandparents, who are presumably Samuel SHANNON (born c.1785 NIR - died after 1870 Brown County census) and his wife (probably a second one) named Margaret __?__. They had children Alexander, Margaret and James, all born in western PA, as well as (presumably but not proven) my g2-grandfather Robert (born 1820 in MD - died about 1903 in MN). The family came to Hamblen, Brown, IN, in the early 1840's, from a Richland, OH (there were about 10-12 such named locations in Ohio in 1840-1850). Robert married Sarah Susan GRAY, daughter of Andrew Samuel GRAY and Nancy BASS, in Brown County on June 18, 1846. Margaret married Nathan RAWLINGS, son of Thomas RAWLINGS and Rebecca WILSON, on September 10, 1857. Alexander also married, but I have not been able to figure out the name from the census page. I do not have any information on what became of Margaret, Alexander or James! I have not found information about whether Alex, James or Nathan R. served in the Civil War. Sarah Susan GRAY's parents are buried in the Bethel Baptist Cemetery in Hamblen Twsp. I do not know where the Shannons might be buried. There was also an "Uncle Will and Aunt Mary" who reportedly "settled down" in Ohio (there were about 10-12 such named locations in Ohio in 1840-1850). In the census records, near the Samuel Shannon household is a William SHANNON (born c. 1811 in NIR) married to a Mary A. PROSSER, in Brown County on May 14, 1841. (I understand that there was a Prosser family that migrated from Richland County, OH, but in this case both the wedding and the settling down happened in Brown, IN) I am guessing that this is the Will and Mary mentioned in sketchy family memoirs. William is older than Robert, but Robert is identified as the "oldest in a moderate-sized family." William may have been a son of Samuel by a previous marriage, or perhaps a much younger brother??? I have had queries about these people posted on the Brown County GenWeb pages for several years now, without a nibble. I would appreciate any leads on how to proceed with this search, and particularly how to research most effectively (at the busy holiday time!) in the area. I have never been to Nashville, Bean Blossom, etc., so any touristy tips would be fun too, expecially since it is off-season. Or should I just forget about going there in December and come back in the summer?!? Thanks, David Shannon [email protected]