I'm new to this list and relatively new to searching in this area. I could use some help figuring out where to search for records for this early period. I've traced my Colborn ancestor, Robert, who lived in Sauk Co., Wisconsin from 1849 until he died 1881, back to Blenheim, Ontario and then back to Amherst, NY. Robert was the son of Amos Colborn. I have a copy of the will of Amos who died in Blenheim in 1859 which names all of Robert's siblings (Benjamin, Sylvester, William, Abraham, Lydia, Hannah, and Mary Ann). Amos also had a son John who predeceased him without leaving heirs. I found Amos in the 1820 and 1830 census in Amherst. Nearby was a Sylvester Colborn who I have recently confirmed is the father of Amos. I ordered LDS microfilm of the record of the Erie Co. Surrogate Court which contained a document that named all of Sylvester's children (Isaac, Robert, Amos, Charity, Charlotte, Rebecca, Lydia, and Susannah) and where they resided at the time his son-in-law, William Crawford, filed for probate of Sylvester's will in 1841. I have also found some land records. There is an index to the Holland Land Co. transactions online that lists Sylvester, Amos, and two other sons of Sylvester, Robert and Isaac (who moved to Michigan sometime during the 1830s which is likely when Amos moved to Ontario). Apparently some of those transactions never made it to the county deed books, because I haven't found much in the Grantor or Grantee indexes for any of the Colborns I know are related. Since Sylvester (1763-1841) died before 1850 I have no clue where he came from before he made his first transaction with the Holland Land Co. in 1809. And Sylvester is not listed in the 1810 census in Amherst or anywhere else I could find for that matter. I'm interested in learning of any other records that might help me with more information about Sylvester, his wife Susannah (surname unknown) and possibly about William and Susan Crawford who were listed in the 1840 census in Buffalo. The deed records show that Sylvester sold his property in Amherst to William Crawford, one parcel in 1830, and the rest of the lot in 1835. I'm also interested in connecting with anyone researching Sylvester or his descendants or the family of Robert Colborn of Turkeyfoot, PA or his brother John Colborn of Tompkins Co., NY. These two families have a lot of the same given names as the children of Sylvester and Amos and I'm hoping to figure out if it is more than coincidence. Any suggestions for further research would be appreciated. Mary MacLeod Santa Rosa, CA