When I got his civil war packet with pension records twenty years ago I thought I would be on my way to finding his parents. I haven't made any connections to his family of origin since. James Miller was born in Fairfield, Ohio ca 1825. Pension records from his widow indicate that he was a neighbor of the David Brecount family of Glendale, Hamilton County, Ohio. His sister-in law Ruth Brecount Rogers stated in 1896 that her sister, Eliza Jane Brecount and he were married ca 1849 or 1850 at their father's, David Brecount, house. The 1850 Census however lists Eliza Jane as a single female living with her father. Ruth and her husband George Rogers are living in a nearby township close to another brother David and his wife Sarah Brecount. In the 1900 Census James and Eliza's eldest daughter, Martha is listed as being born in Ohio October 1851. While her brother James David, is listed as being born in December of 1854 in Illinois. Intervening census records seem to comfirm that. In 1860 and 1870 the family is listed in Newtown Township, Livingston County, Illinois. The invalid pension application is made 1885 at Creston, Iowa. All of his children with the exception of daughter Martha who marries Resin B. Longnecker ca 1874 in Livingston County and remains there all her life, move to southern California by 1896 when James dies. Sure would like to find James parents. My mother his granddaughter maintains that the family is Pennsylvania Dutch but I can't find any connection so far. Jerry Woodin, Caldwell, KS freelst@yahoo.com __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Get email at your own domain with Yahoo! Mail. http://personal.mail.yahoo.com/