I searched the head of household indexes for 1900 and 1920 in Louisiana. 1920 didn't list any PAULs in Allen Parish. There were quite a few PAUL families in Rapides Parish (Elizabeth, LA is near the border with Rapides Parish). In both 1900 and 1920 I found only one Preston PAUL (he did appear in both censuses). Although he doesn't appear to be your Preston, based on the birthday and birthplace, it could be possible. I thought it was interesting that he was listed as black in 1900 and white in 1920 -- that is one indication that he could possibly be Indian. I'm hoping the names of the children might tell you whether or not he is your Preston Paul. 1900 Calcasieu, Rapides Parish, Ward 6 (ED 131) Sheet 8 121 126 Paul, Preston Head BM Oct 1856 43 M 23 LA LA LA <occupation unreadable> yes yes yes O F F 110 Leeta Wife BF Sept 1859 47 M23 11 7 LA LA LA no no yes Geneva Daughter BF Nov 1883 16S LA LA LA Seamstress yes yes yes Catherine Daughter BF Feb 1887 13S LA LA LA Dressmaker yes yes yes Hardy Son BM Mar 1891 9S LA LA LA yes yes yes Louis Son BM Feb 1878 22S LA LA LA Farm Laborer yes yes yes Wesley Son BM Mar 1879 21S LA LA LA Laborer Sawmill yes yes yes William Son BM July 1881 18S LA LA LA Farm Laborer yes yes yes 1920 Calcasieu, Rapides Parish ED 68 Sheet 3A 59 59 Paul, Preston Head O F MW63Wd LA LA LA Farmer Ryan, Zday Maid FW54Wd Georgia Georgia Georgia Housekeeper Hatch, Francis Mother FW89Wd LA LA LA Paul, Hardy Head MW28M LA LA LA labor -- cuting log Paul, Dolie Wife FW18M LA LA LA housewife Paul, Catherine Head FW30Wd LA LA LA housekeeper Doyal, Clarence Son MW10S LA LA LA Doyal, O.C. Son MW8S LA LA LA Doyal, Zidnas Daughter FW5S LA LA LA Doyal, Curtis Son MW4S LA LA LA Doyal, Minie Daughter FW1S LA LA LA If this isn't yours, I hope you can find him soon! Thanks, Karen ______________________________ ----- Message from mrsspray@netscape.net on Sat, 29 Jun 2002 10:04:45 -0400 ----- To: LA-CENSUS-LOOKUP-L@rootsweb.com Subject: [LA-CEN] Allen/1939/Paul I am looking for any records on my great-grandfather, Preston Paul. He was an American Indian (Choctaw). He was born in 1850 in Oklahoma, and later moved from Paul's Valley to Louisiana. I don't know how old he was when he moved, but it may have been when the Indian Territories were opened up for settlers. He was married to a woman who was part Choctaw and part Cherokee, but I don't have a name for her. He died at age 89, (should be 1939) in Elizabeth, Allan Parish, Louisiana. We have very little information about him. I believe he and his famiy were illiterate, so we have to rely on government records. The family history was written on his barn wall by someone, but the barn later burned down in a fire, so this is all I know. All of my online searches come up empty. Any information you can supply would be deeply appreciated. Thank you in advance. D.M. Spray