As a result of Michael's suggestion I am posting my most complex problem. In 1849 Milton KIDWELL b. abt 1811 KY lost an arm in a sawmill accident in Benton County, MO. In 1850 he was enumerated in the Tebo Twp, Henry, MO with his wife Lydia b. abt 1815 DE, and children Mary b. abt 1840, Mahala b. abt 1842, Eliza Jane (my g-grandmother) b. 1847 and William b. abt 1849. In the 1860 census of Springfield Twp, Henry, MO Mahala was enumerated in the houseshold of Alexander HILL and Eliza Jane was enumerated in the household of William BANTA. The rest of the family is missing. Eliza Jane then accompanies the BANTAs to Colorado. Family stories say that Lydia died and Milton abandoned the family. I have not found any proof of that nor have I found any legal action (wills, guandianships, probates etc.) in the Henry County records available at the FHL. I have also not found any of the family in cemetery records of Henry County available locally or on the internet. Does anyone have any suggestion as to where to look next? Walt Jones Spokane WA