Sylvia, I agree that it surely was different in the old days! I remember! One thing that has been extremely helpful for me is Googling. I put in names of husband, wife, children and where they lived and when. Really, just anything you know or what you're looking for like a will in a certain county about a certain time. Sometimes less information is better. Stand back.....you may be surprised at what comes up. Check all that possibly could be yours. When I go to a site, I put a search for my key names by pressing CTRL + F which will give you a FIND box at upper right hand. Also check for related names. I am also finding a lot of genealogy on FindAGrave on sites of descendants of ancestors whose graves have disappeared. Good luck! Jeanette [email protected] Looking for relatives and ancestors of Robert HODGES of Kemper Co. MS and Sumter Co., AL. Children: Robert, Jr., Allen, James and Cely Ann Hilson. I think they were in Cheraws, SC about 1790 then Autauga Co., AL abt 1820, Sumter Co., AL operating the ferry across the Sucarnochee River where Robert, Sr. and Allen died in abt 1840. I want to know if the other Hodges in the Sumter Co., AL area were related: Hugh, Philamen, John P. Hodges?