I just received a letter from someone asking if I knew anything about Abraham Staats who lived in Union County, NJ in 1880. Is Union County anywhere near Somerset? Does anyone know if some of the Somerset Staats's moved to Union County. Thank you for any input. Daniel Staats Daniel, In reference to the above the following should be of some help. If not contact me by e-mail and I will do what I can to assist. Somerset County is located adjacent to and west of Union County. The county seat of Somerset County is Somerville, located in the western part of the county. The county seat of Union County is Elizabeth, located in the eastern most part of the county. Somerville and Elizabeth are about as far apart as you can get and still be in the two counties. Both counties are located on I-78. To my knowledge, enhanced by a couple of rounds of beer for the old-timers at the firehouse, the STAATS were located around the area that is now known as Hillsborough Twp, Branchburg Twp., and Readington Twp. The Neshanic Station post office (this is not a town but a post office which services parts of each of the previously listed twps) has several STAATS families within it's area. There is even a road in Hillsborough named "Staats Farm Road". There are several farms within this region which are known as "The Staats' farm". The family has been very involved with preservation of farm lands. Within the Somerville (this encompasses western Union County and the southern part of Somerset County) telephone directory there are currently 19 listings for STAATS. In the Hunterdon County (west and south of Somerset County) directory there are 5 listings. In the Elizabeth (eastern Union County) directory there is 1 listing. A potential source of information would be the Somerset County Library located in Bridgewater, NJ. If they can't answer your question perhaps they could provide you with a better source. The STAATS are fairly well respected in the county. I have seen several locally authored picture historical softcover books which have had pictures of various Staats' properties and persons in them. If I can be of any further help contact me at carolbilliden@worldnet.att.net Bill Iden Neshanic Station, NJ