This is my first posting since returning to the list. I think I've found Laura Johnson's father. Laura Johnson was born ca 1810 but died prematurally prior to 1847. She married Philip FINGER prior to 1831 when her first child, Egbert, was born. She died after her second child, Mary, was born in 1834, and her widower's second wife's child, Hellene, was born, 1847. So Laura never showed up on a census other than as a slash mark. However, on the 1840 NY, Columbia County, Gallatinville federal census, page 069, Philip Finger and Freeman Finger were neighbors. Not definite proof this is Laura's father, of course, but better than no lead to follow. Does anyone have anything on Freeman Johnson? I did find a query on an 1897 Freman Johnson, but the years are too many to span right now. Does anyone have a pre-1840 Egbert Johnson in the family? We've wondered how the name Egbert traveled down the generations until present time? I'll be willing to exchange any JOHNSON in NY information that I should find...and I expect to collect a lot of miscellaneous until I prove or disprove Freeman Johnson as Laura's father...for help with this line. Shirley Maynard