I know I posted about this several months ago, but there may be new people receiving this who may not have seen the first posting. I have traced my family back to a man named Elijah Martin, born in either 1777 or 1778. The "place of birth" is only listed as "Somerset county". Unfortunately, I haven't been able to find out anything about EXACTLY where in the county he was born, or who either of his parents were. Someone at the state records place told me I had to go to the county records department at the courthouse of the county in question. I went to the Somerset County Courthouse in Somerville and asked - only to be told Somerset county doesn't keep such records, that I had to go to the actual town of his birth! When I told the lady there was no town listed, just "Somerset county", she gave me a look like a deer caught in the headlights of an on-coming car, then shrugged saying "that's too bad"....and proceeded to go back to her work as if I was no longer in the room! leaving the courthouse - and barely succeeding in refraining from giving the lady inside a dope slap in the back of her head - I was left wondering "what now"? Any suggestions or ideas would be appreciated. Thanks. Buddy Martin