This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/an/Hi.2ADI/2625.1.1.1.1 Message Board Post: Scott, I suppose the French family could have been Cherokee. The only census that indicated race was the 1870 census and Mary is listed as "white". There were no French families living in Tippecanoe Co. in 1840 or 1850, but I did find an Adam M. French in Union Twp., Montgomery Co. in 1840 & 1850. In checking the occupants in the 1850 census he did have a daughter, Mary, but she was only 6 yrs old in 1850 and your Mary French was already married in 1850. Have you contacted the Tippecanoe Co. Health Dept. to see what her death certificate says? Depending on when she died, it may say who Mary's parents were. The older death records here in Tippecanoe Co. don't contain much information. If you haven't already, you might try the Alameda McCullough Library & Archives through the Tippecanoe Co. Historical Society. You might find some info there that could help in your search. Below is a list of archived material they have: The Library consists of books, vertical files, court books, microfilm, CD-ROMs, and has patron access to the Internet. The subject collection of books and materials focus on Tippecanoe County history. Other materials include family history, general state history, and reference materials on antiques and subjects that support the aim of the Association. A significant collection of books and materials on Native American and early trading in the area, especially history of Fort Ouiatenon, add to the broad scope of materials included in the collection An extensive collection of materials for use in genealogical searching is maintained and collected in the Library. Staff and volunteers have compiled surname files for families who lived in the county. The library has an extensive collection of books that have been written by individuals detailing family history. Materials such as cemetery records, WPA indexes, census records and indexes, obituary notices from the local newspaper, marriage, estate and probate records are all available. Records and books that were once part of the county courthouse collection have also been amassed in the Library. Marriage applications and marriage records, probate and estate files and books, naturalization records, and mortgage books are all available for searching. Specialized papers such as guardianship books, funeral home records, Civil War enlistment data, and obituary indices have also been collected. All of these materials have been indexed and arranged for easy searching by the user. The Library does not have death or birth certificates. Good Luck..................Karen