With the New Year underway, I thought that I would see if anyone might be able to shed any light on my 35 year plus effort with the HARDESTER / HARDISTER Family in Missouri. A "brief" introduction, and then some questions - Samuel James HARDESTER was born in North Carolina, ca 1790. He married Elizabeth HELMS (b. ca 1807, Kentucky) on 5 June 1826 in Gasconade County. He is shown on the 1830 Census in (newly formed) Crawford County. A son, Henry, was born ca 1828 in "Pulaski County." However, as Pulaski County was not formed from Crawford County until 1833, most likely he was born in Crawford County. The 1840 Census shows Samuel and his family in Pulaski County. By 1850, Samuel and Henry are "missing." Samuel's wife (Elizabeth) and family are found in the 1850 Federal Census living in Pulaski County (District 72, Page 116). No information of any type as to what happened to Samuel. However, Henry was alive and well as noted by his marriages (information obtained from his Civil War pension file): ca 1848-50: Caroline THOMPSON (issue, John H?) 16 February 1854: Catherine COLLIER (issue, Martha?) ca November 1856: Mary COLLIER (sister of Catherine) (issue, Henry, my line) and, 15 July 1862: Sarah Margaret ELEMS (no known issue) No information on Caroline's (presumed) death. Catherine died 15 February 1856; and Mary is believed to have died 15 August 1861 - all in/around, Pulaski County. Henry died on 06 November 1862, of typhoid pneumonia, at Benton Barracks (St. Louis), Missouri, while serving in the Civil War. Sarah remarried Joseph Napoleon HAWKINS 04 April 1869, in Pulaski County. Brief Questions. What happened to Samuel? Who were the parents / family of Elizabeth HELMS? Who were the parents / family of Caroline THOMPSON? In 1850, the COLLIER sisters, and other siblings, were living in the home of Solomon CAPESTANY (a misspelling for CARPENTER), page 116 as noted above. Who were their parents? Henry's Civil War pension file makes note that the COLLIER ladies were married (to Henry) "...in the home of their father, Solomon CARPENTER." Perhaps, grandfather? Any information or suggestions will be welcome, and I have a "bit" of information to share.