I finally found my husband's great great grandparents on the 1880 census in Portage Twp, Houghton County. From his great grandfather's social security number application and his death record, the name we were told was Miro or Miron Croze. He was born about 1855 in Canada. On the census he name looks longer than Miro/Miron and I'm wondering what that name might have been short for? I tried making a scan of the census page and played with the coloring to see if I could make it any clearer. Still having a hard time reading it. I'd appreciate any help. This Miro has been my brick wall for a while. He was married to Mary Gagnon (born about 1858) and she passed away in 1888. This is the first time I've ever found them together on a census record. Thanks -Kathy

You've got yourself some nice French-Canadians. I would go to the French-Canadian Research in Houghton County site that's linked to the main Houghton County site -- terrific site!--, poke around and figure out in which Catholic church they were married, and get THAT record first. His name may be much more clear on that, and you'll get his parents' names. Miro doesn't strike me right off, but with the way French names sound, Miron will be pronounced the same, as will Mireau and many other spellings. Croze is a dead-on French-Canadian name, as is Gagnon. If you can find the names of his parents (and hers, too), you will then be able to use the Loiselle Marriage Index for Québec at some library (you'll have to research for one near you) or order the correct part from the LDS. Then you can sail right on... Linda --- Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.391 / Virus Database: 222 - Release Date: 9/19/02