Pat, We've corresponded before but haven't found a connection. But did I see a message of yours recently on the listserve where you cited another surname besides Mills, namely, Randall? It's probably coincidence but there is a connection between my Mills family and Randals. My second great grandparents were John Minor Mills (1831-before 1880) and Martha C. Randal (abt. 1841-1921). Notes for Martha: BIRTH: 1870 cens., VA, Rockingham Co., Plains twp., Harrisonburg P.O., p. 9, dn 62, fn 61 (Martha Mills, 30, in hh of John Mills, 40). 10 July 1841 bd calculated from mr, below. NAME: Rockingham Co., Virginia, Marriages, Bond Book 6, p. 354 (Marriage License lists Time of Marriage as 12 Sep 1862, RC, John Mills, aged 31-7-29, single, residing RC, b. Spotsylvania Co., parents, Richard and Martha Mills; and Martha Randal, 21-2-2, single, b. and residing in RC, parents, John and Martha Randal; minister's return of Samuel Wampler appears to cite 10 Sep 1862 as m. date). RC Marriages, 2:91 (John M. and Martha C. Mills cited as parents of William D. Mills). 1880 Census lists her as Martha J. Mills DD: Tombstone, St. Paul's Lutheran Church Cemetery, Rockingham Co., VA: "Mother...Martha C. Mills died age about 80 years..." next to stone for William D. and Ada O. Mills, so presumed to be mother of William D. Mills (photo taken by Bill Derrow, Aug. 1996). If calculated bd is correct, then "about 80 years" would make DD about 1921. Notes for John: BIRTH: 1870 cens., VA, Rockingham Co., Plains twp., Harrisonburg P.O., p. 9, dn 62, fn 61 (William Mills, age 1, in hh of John Mills, 40 [b. 1829/1830], and Martha Mills, 30). William Mills is presumed to be William David Mills, father of Esther Virginia Mills). 14 January 1831 is calculated from MR (below). DEATH: Martha J. Mills is listed as head of household in 1880 Census. Rockingham Co., Virginia, Marriages, Bond Book 6, p. 354 ("Marriage License" issued 9 March 1862 to John Mills and Martha Randol; "Certificate to Obtain Marriage License" lists "Time of Marriage" as 12 Sep 1862 (but that, presumably, was the planned time of marriage since the certificate and license were filled out before the marriage took place), "Place of Marriage", Rockingham County; John Mills, aged 31-7-29, single, residing RC, b. Spotsylvania Co., parents, Richard and Martha Mills; Martha Randol, 21-2-2, single, b. and residing in RC, parents, John and Martha Randol [Note: I, Bill Derrow, originally read this to be Randal, but on closer inspection it looks like Randol]; "Minister's Return of Marriage" of Samuel Wampler cites 10 Sep 1862 as m. date, which is when it probably occurred, rather than the 12th as indicated on the "Certificate to Obtain a Marriage License," and place as "at John Landas(?)"). RC Marriages, 2:91 (John M. and Martha C. Mills cited as parents of William D. Mills). Marriage License (copy), Rockingham County, Virgina (in files of HRHS, Dayton, VA): Lic. date: 28 Jan 1895, Marr. date: 30 Jan 1895, Place: Rockingham County (RC) Benjamin F. Mills and Mary Catharine Martz 27 23 Single S born RC RC residing RC RC John Minor Mills/Martha Randal Isaac P. Martz/Amanda Virginia Strickler Groom's Occupation: Engineer Minister's Return: marr. date 30 Jan 1895, at res. of Isaac P. Martz, (signed) M. [?.] Roller. Anything jump out at you? Regards, Bill