Dear Listers, I just got a nice little package of items I ordered from the Joint Archives of Holland in Michigan, and I thought I would share the basic info with you so that if any of this rang a bell, that someone may contact me and help me work through my brick wall that I seem to be stuck on and possibly make a connection with someone else. First, my great-great-grandfather Arnold Deters (born abt 1854 in Germany) came to Kansas from Ohio. He was listed in the 1880 censes in Beloit, and another relative a Mr. Francis Deters was listed in the Beloit township. In May of 1881 my gggrandfather married Mary Josephine Gottsacker of Beloit. They had four children, my ggrandfather Francis, Joseph, Anna and Ellen/Helen. Arnold, Mary (although it was spelled Marry) and the two daughters were listed in the census of 1885, but since no census of 1890 exists, I really am at a lost. Apparently, Arnold died around 1890, somehow at sea-this is my brick wall. Now, though several search engines, I found that the Joint Archives of Holland has a collection that includes some Deters family members from Beloit and Cawker City, KS. I do not know where Cawker City is, but I think it is still in Mitchell county, as I borrowed a census film from the Kansas State Historical Society (nice people there!), and I thought that Cawker City was on there too, but maybe not. Anyway, their collection included several pictures of Deters family, the few that I purchased copies of included some taken by a photographer Charles L.(?) Smith in Cawker City, KS. He used very fancy paper for his portraits. The first pic has written 'pa and ma' written across it on the front and has german writing on the back that is too faint to make out, except for 'pa's' name of Johannas, who went by Jan. The second pic was taken around 1900, and is of Jake Deters of Kansas, who is written as being born in 1880. The third pic is of Hattie Deters of Kansas, info on back is too faint to read. Both the second and third photos are formal portraits, in formal church clothing. Pics four and five are of Hattie Deters, born 1875, and Senie Deters born 1872. Again, both are form portraits, and both were taken by J. P. Walz of Cawker City, KS. Both were taken on very fancy paper, and their clothing was extreemly nice. Both appear to have been blonds, with Senie, possibly being a lighter blonde. Both may have had blue eyes, as they appear light, but with darker outlines. The sixth photo is of John Deters of Cawker City, KS. It is written he was born in 1873. The portrait was taken by J.P. Walz in Cawker City, KS. The seventh is of Mr. and Mrs. John H. Deters, married in 1901. Again is lists John as being born in 1873. The sixth and seventh photo of John Deters is the same John Deters, just taken at different times. The eighth pic is again of Mrs. and Mrs. John Deters, the same ones as before, but at some time later. John has thinned hair, and Mrs. has a bit rounder face. their clothes are nice, formal but a bit simplier. The nineth and last pic is a family portrait taken Jan 1, 1890. It shows John Deters (age 51 years), Senie Deters (age 18yrs), John Deters (age 17 yrs), Hattie Deters (15 years), and Jakie Deters (10 years). The copies of the photos are extreemly clear and offer much detail. If anyone out their knows of this family, or any of the Deters who settled in Kansas, please contact me. I have gathered quite a bit of info on Deters, and I cannot tie all of it to my family at this time, but it might be of some help to others, and I would be glad to do so. Also do any of you listers who actually reside in Mitchell county know if there is an index to any of the old Beloit newspapers. I know there were seveal of them over the years from back in the mid to late 1800's, and would be interested in trading someone some lookup work if they had a need for something out here in Oregon (Clackamas, Multnomah or Marion Counties). Thanks! Laura Buffington Oregon City, OR buffimladj@aol.com