Thanks John for the terminology explanation .......the online program for the Maryland Archives is a bit quirky ......yesterday nothing I would do worked ......this morning I just kept putting a whole series of different user names and passwords and each time I went to a different site I needed to use a different one but I finally made it work ........I even came across a card file that was labeled once Somerset now Sussex ...... I think it was a file that you once said was created by an intern at the archives ......it may not have been complete but it did offer me a couple of new directions to look at as we try to establish who was living in the area around Seaford/ Bridgeville/ St Johnstown area in the 1700's. Thanks again for your help Carol