In a message dated 8/20/99 9:02:55 PM Central Daylight Time, rlaird@cavediver.com writes: << I don't know ~where~ he was born. The 1850 Census implies he was born in Kentucky, but it's a large state! So, that's where I'm stuck. >> Pardon my ignorance.. but I have a couple of questions: 1. Was it a Mississippi 1850 census that says he was born in KY? Then if you know the decade he was born, can you find a KY census for 10-20 years after his birth? 2. Is there some kind of census index for KY? 3. Start by guessing. If you know his religion, try going with that. Or just start checking counties at random, seeing what might come up. If there are 100 counties in KY (I have NO idea how many there are), send out a mass mailing with a form letter, snail mail, to county clerks. You'd be surprised how many are willing to help.. but a SASE (self addressed stamped envelope) is always appreciated. I did lots of things like that and would get 10-12 responses a day for a few days.... they might not have your gr-grandfather but might have his cousin, or HIS father, or his mother's family. I was sent a copy of someone else's will who had the same last name, but he named my gr-grandfather's siblings before he mentioned his own. I'm sure that means they were significant cousins (and his sister was still in Germany, my folks were in the same Missouri town). I have yet to prove the exact relationship but it adds weight to my theory. Meanwhile I am taking the advice of a genealogist friend who suggested I keep a separate file on that family because the minute I confirm they are related, I'll have the whole story already ready to pop into place! Good luck, hope it helps... Bobbi