This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/an/CKB.2ACI/734.737.740.747.1.1 Message Board Post: Brenda: The first Stephens in the Loftin line was Matthew Stephens b 1803 d 1860. Leonard Loftin b 1654 d 1720 is the first of the Loftins in America. The family name was originally Ludwig, it was recorded in Craven County, North Carolina and was never used again. Leonard Ludwig chnged his name to Leonard Loftin. This research was completed by Isom Stephens and published in the aforementioned book. I think the book is out of print. Isom said he was donating all of his research to the Mormon's in Utah. Hope this helps, sorry was no link. Howard Yates