This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: cplawson Surnames: Lawson Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/surnames.lawson/6791.1/mb.ashx Message Board Post: This Lawson family is not of my relation but I have read many of the posts as I receive them on the message board mailing list. I have also researched quite a few other Lawson families in SW VA so I might be able to help narrow this down for you. The 1900 census noted your George and Elizabeth had been married 17 years so he should hopefully be found with his parents in 1880, if they were still living. Using the 1880 census do a search on any George Lawson born in Virginia within five years of 1859 and there are only eight of them found. And only three that show them born 1858-1860. One is a black man, George, no middle initial, age 22, married to Phoebe and living in Rockbridge Co, VA. The second is a white man, George age 20 married to Malinda and living in Rockingham Co, VA. The third is a white man, George W., age 22, single and living with his father Madison L. Lawson in Patrick Co, VA. Note that those other two counties are much farther from Carroll Co, where as Patrick Co borders Carroll. Given the name Madison having been used in the children of your George and the close proximity of the counties I would think that George, son of Madison is a good candidate for your George. Madison Lawson had a very large family. You might try following some of his other children and see if there are any common factors with George. I think there has been past discussion on the Lawson family that includes Madison, which could be helpful to you. And also mentions of DNA testing that has been done somewhere within that family. You can access the 1880 census here for free. http://www.familysearch.org/eng/search/frameset_search.asp?PAGE=census/search_census.asp Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board.