This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: McFarland Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/FG0.2ACIB/1080.1 Message Board Post: Hi, Since you have the birth date and city for Thomas I think that would be the first thing. First, if you're nearby you can physically go look at it and get the info. Otherwise you can see if there's a volunteer on the county or city mail list here at Rootsweb who can transcribe it for you. Last, you can order it from the county or state (each state is different). Usually the birth certificate has all the info on the parents, so then you could go from there. Census materials can be used for free at all Family History Centers, even if you are not a member of their church. Look in your local phone book, or check out their website at familysearch.org for the nearest center to you. I have also found the volunteers there to be wonderfully helpful, especially when you don't have a clue what to do next;o) Hope this helps. Sue