RESPONSE: Cassy, I don't believe it is the Leonard MESSER, s/o James F. MESSER and Catherine "Kitty" CARNES. That Leonard was b. January 18, 1887 and d. Dec. 7, 1918. As of the 1910, he is still with his wife, Tressie WARREN. There is another Leonard MESSER b. in Bell Co. but he was not born until Jan. 1, 1911. There is this family which could be your leonard MESSER's family; however, I haven't the slightest idea how they connect. Dwelling 35-9-9 MESSER, William, 38, farmer, KY . . Jane, 38, Ky . . Mary, 22, KY . . Patsy, 18, KY . . Hugh, 17, KY . . Martha A., 13, KY . . Ebenezer, 12, KY . . George, 11, KY . . Eve, 8, KY . . Stephen, 5, KY . . Sarah, 3, KY . . Frank, 3, KY . . thirza, 1, KY . . James, 19, KY As of 1880 in Knox: (same family) Dwelling 239-247 MESSER, Jane, 49, head of household, a widow, b. KY; parents b. KY . . George, 19, son, KY . . Evermeut, 17, farms, son, KY . . Stephen, 15, farms, son, KY . . Sarah, 13, at home, dau, KY . . Frank, 13, son, KY . . Elen, 11, dau, KY . . Lenard, 9, son, KY * * * MESSER, Patrick, 27, idiotic, b. KY; parents b. KY There is even this COLLINS family on the 1880 and again I don't know a thing about them either: Dwelling 87-91 COLLINS, John C., 43, husband, b. KY; father b. TN; mother b. KY . . Nancy, 43, wife, KY; parents KY . . Sally, 14, at home, dau, KY . . William, 12, at home, son, KY . . Mariah, 6, dau, b. KY * * * . . Telitha, 1, dau, KY NOTE: There are living right in the middle of the WALKERS, GRAYS and CARNES, among others. Joyce Taylor Collins La Palma, CA Message text written by INTERNET:KYKNOX-L@rootsweb.com >I have a copy of a death certificate for Maria Collins Messer b. 10-20-1875 d. 1-3-1945 her husband is listed as Leonard Messer b. in Knox County Ky. Can anyone tell me who the parents of this Leonard are? Thanks, Cassy. -- <