In a message dated 11/24/2003 10:02:49 AM Pacific Standard Time, NJMORRIS-D-request@rootsweb.com writes: From: MonaMusic@aol.com Subject: [NJMORRIS] William DECKER, Rockaway Twp., 1920; wife Sara A. The 1920 census for Rockaway Twp., Morris County, lists William DECKER, 69 years of age, with wife, Sara A., 53 years of age. He is listed as a laborer for a private estate. Does anyone have additional information on this couple? I need to know the names of his parents; also the parentage of Sara, his wife. Children? Mona, Richmond, IN Mona: I would suggest that you start searching earlier census records - 1910, 1900, 1880, 1870, 1860. Your William Decker was born about 1851 so he misses the 1850 census, but if you find him in the 1860 census as a 9 year old, you then can go back to the 1850 census and see what other children are in the house that may not appear in the 1860 census because they may be deceased. The 1840 census and the 1830 census will only be head of house and so his parents would only appear with the father's name. That is, if they have been here in the US all that time. In the 1920 census, did it state where he was born? You didn't provide much information in your message to the list. That will be your clue to search for everyone in the house. The 1900 census will state his month and year of birth as well as his age, how long he has been married and for the wife the number of children born and living and where his parents were born. If it says he wasn't from New Jersey but came from a foreign country, then it should state the year he immigrated and how long he has been in the US. Oh, you might ceck the Morris County history to see if there is some mention of the Decker family. You might also check the Warren and Sussex county history as well as i seem to recall reading about a Decker family in this history at some time in my research. May or may not be your family, but I would check it out, if I were you. Hope this helps you do your research. Christie Trapp