I am researching a possibility that my Harris family, who settled in AL., ca. 1823, may have originally lived in Edgecomb C., NC. Is anyone on the list currently researching Harris families or have references like abstracted land record or probate indexes who might be willing to check for Harris entries, to give me some idea whether I am pursuing a valid theory or just another wild goose chase. I have access to census records but they won't be useful until I know exactly who I am looking for. My ggg grandparents are still officially unknown, but most likely Joel Harris and Sarah (Swinney) Harris. "Joel" was only in the census once (1840) in Jefferson C., AL. Sarah probably married James Harris (1822 St. Clair C., AL) and they settled in Green and Pickens County, AL. He died after 1830, then she settled in Jefferson C., where my gg grandfather was later born (ca 1838.) I descend from her son, General Marion Harris, the only child born of Sarah's 2nd marriage. Note however, that there seem to be no marriage records for a marriage between Sarah and Joel Harris. I suspect that James and Joel Harris were probably related. The only evidence that I have suggesting Edgecomb C. as an earlier residence is the fact that Sarah Harris was widowed after 1830; she patented 2 properties in AL. and was identified as a widow in one of her land entry files. At least one of the men who signed (or acted as witness for her,) can be traced back to Edgecomb C. (Blake Little, 1820 Census.) In addition, she transferred her ownership in a 2nd property Sumter C., AL., to a man listed in the 1820 Edgecomb C. census. (Demcy Daniel) According to another researcher, John Harris, an early resident in Green and Pickens C., AL., also migrated into the area from Edgecomb C., NC. prior to 1825. He died before 1830 and there were few probate records in Green County, AL. Please let me know if any one has any information about the early Harris families who lived in the region. Spelling variations: Haris, Harress, Harris. Kristina Harris kharris@televar.com