This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/an/FG0.2ACIB/92.266.278.1.1 Message Board Post: Hello, I am wondering if any of you folks know of McFarland's that were around Mason City, IA? My great grandfather, Alexander Miller McFarland and his wife Susannah Caroline moved to the area of Mason City, Cerro Gordo, IA between 1870 and 1880. They had 5 children with them when they moved there, John W. (died in Montana at age 18) Nancy Katurah, Mary Louisa (Lavina), William Berry, and James Alexander. The following children were reported as being born in Cerro Gordo County: Charley M. 1875, Fred W. 1878, Frank E. 1882 (my grandfather) and Tommy O. 1886. I found the family in Ws in the 1870 Census records but have not been able to locate them in Iowa in the 1880 Census. Mary married Albert Willis Allen August 18, 18886 Mason City, Cerro Gordo County, IA before they family moved to Smith County, Texas. I found Alexander in the 1890 special census records for veterans of the Civil War living in Flint, Smith Co., TX ; Charley was the only child living with them at this time, Frank was living and working with his aunt Rebecca Bell nearby. Does anyone know where I can locate census records of this family in 1880? I did not find them in Cerro Gordo County. But according to Uncle Charley's descendents he was born there in 1875 so the family had to be around someplace in 1880, as 4 children were born in the space of 11 years. Thank you, Susie McFarland Lemin slemin46@yahoo.com