This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.northam.usa.states.indiana.counties.dearborn/4198.1.1.1/mb.ashx Message Board Post: Keep in mind that the enumerator wrote what he was told, he had no way of knowing if it was the truth, therefor age will vary drom census to census. In the 1870 census for Dearborn county, Sparta township, the family was headed by John Schaffer, 69, a farmer with real estate worth 1060 and personal estate worth 801, born in Pa, and included Elizabeth, 63, keeping house, Pa, - Hannah, 26, at home, Pa,- Simon, 24, at home, Pa, - and Ella, 5, Ind. In the 1860 census for the same location, page 17, the family was headed by John Shaffer, 59, a farmer with real estate worth 3500 and personal estate worth 300, Pa, and included Elizabeth, 55, Pa, - Eli, 25, Pa, - Hanner, 21, Pa, - John, 15, Pa, and Simon, 13, Pa. Spelling is as recorded. Unfortunately, prior to 1880 no family relationships are shown in any census. Good luck. Don