This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: scott6672ny Surnames: Hall, Cranker, Hess Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.northam.usa.states.newyork.counties.jefferson/12761/mb.ashx Message Board Post: Joel Hall b. 1833 in NY, Wife Laura was b. 1837 in NY. Family can be found in 1860 census in Houndsfield, 1870 census in Adams and 1880 again in Houndsfield. In an obit of Joel Hall attached it notes the surviving family, among of which is a "Mrs. Adelbert Cranker" who resides in Town of Lyme. I know Mrs Adelbert Cranker was the former Bessie Hall. I know she was married in 1896 and died in 1903. I have a birth year of 1871 but suspect it is wrong. I have yet to find Adelbert, Bessie or son Dealton Cranker in 1900 census. I know from census records that this Hall family were very successful farmers with real estate valued at $6300 in 1870 for Joel and $12,600 for his father Ira Hall. My thinking was if an adoption occured it was either a family tragedy where a relative was adopted or the tragedy involved a very local family. A search for a Bessie in Houndsfield in 1870 and 1880 brought up two who were born in 1879. I can rule out Bessie Wilder and there are no tragedies noting her parents in local newspapers. The same cannot be said though for Bessie Hess' parents. An 13 Nov 1892 obit for Jennie or Jeanie Hess - Widow of the late Fred Hess dies at age 38. Nothing more is written. At least at this point we have an 11 or 12 year old who has no parents. Any thoughts or ideas on where to search next will be greatly appreciated. Scott Barker sbarker3@ptd.net http://www.fiske-bigelow.com Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board.