I just ran across a note about an e-mail referencing an extract of an index in Vernon County, MO that indicates that my 2g-grandmother Sarah COPELAND was born in Maries Co., MO. Looking quickly at the Maries Co. website I see that COPELANDs are running about in Maries Co. at the right time. Here is all I have on Sarah COPELAND, if anything looks familiar please contact me. Sarah COPELAND b. ca 1840/2 in MO. Married 1869 to Joseph Marion STRAIN (of Montgomery Co., MO). In 1870 and 1880 they are in Vernon Co., MO Drywood Twp to be exact. Sarah had 7 children with only 2 alive in 1900. By 1900 Joseph STRAIN is dead and Sarah is living with William and Eliza GRAY. Eliza is most likely Louisa STRAIN eldest child of Joseph and Sarah. The two living children of Sarah Copeland STRAIN in 1900 are the aforementioned Eliza/Louisa/Louella and James Joseph Henry STRAIN (my ggrandfather). In the 1880 and 1900 census Sarah lists both parents as being born in Tennessee. Sarah was called "Lura" at least once in a birth record of her 5th child in Vernon Co., MO if that means anything to anyone. Please contact me is you recognize this Sarah. David Strain ddstrain@aol.com listowner strain-l admin strain boards