Thank you to both, Judy and Mary, for your suggestions on my search for the birth of David Smith's 5 children born in Minnesota. Family lore always said these children were born in White Bear Lake. When I first started to check on these children I put White Bear Lake into Google. Google states WBL is in Ramsey County "with a small portion in Washington County. According to the 1870 census, David, his wife and 3 children are living in Marine, Washington County. I first assumed this was Marine on St. Croix. In checking again the 1870 census, which is the only census this family was in Minnesota, it states the post office is in Marine Mills. Again, according to the 1870 census, David Smith is working for the railroad. I'm now wondering if he and the family were living in a railroad camp near the lake and that's why some members of the family stated they were born in White Bear Lake. As years pass words get changed and they might have said they were born on or near WBL, not referring to the town but referring to the Lake it's self. I did check with the MN Historical Society and there is no listing on their early birth records for any of the Smith children born in MN. The Smith family left MN in late 1875 or early '76, stayed there for approximately 3 years and by the 1880 Federal Census was in Washington State. Again, thank you for all your suggestions. I will also do some checking in Washington County. Also see what I can learn about the railroad coming through that area. Pat Crimmel WA state