Hi Sandy, Maybe this is your Solomon in 1870; 1870, OH, Monroe Co, Bethel twp, pg 35; Solomon Johnston, age 28, farmer, $800, $375, b. OH; Sarah, age 25, keeping house, b. OH; Leroy, age 7, attends school, b. OH; Dorcas A., age 5, at home, b. OH; Fredericka, age 4, b. OH; Alpha L., age 2, b. OH; end of this household. I have found a couple of possibilities for Benj in 1870 but can't post until later today-time constraints. In the meantime, you mentioned he had a sister Mary-is she older or younger than Benj and do you know of any other siblings names? Also, do you happen to know Benj. middle name? Rose ----- Original Message ----- > Dear Rose, > > Thank you so much for all of your good work. I really appreciate it. > > The problem is: I am researching the ancestors of my great uncle Howard > Johnston. He is my grandmother, Mary Johnston's brother. He was born in 1908 in > Franklin Twp., Monroe Co., OH. His father was Benjamin Johnston and his mother > was Catharine Iola Crook. Benjamin was born in 1862, I believe in Monroe Co. > Uncle Howard has told me he didn't know his father's parents names. They > were dead before he was born. Evidently they were never mentioned much in the > family. However, he says Benjamin had one half-brother named Solomon (sp?) > Johnston. Howard knew this half-brother so he was alive in the early 1900s. I > don't have his birth date, but I believe they all lived in Monroe Co.,OH. I > think that this half-brother was older and I was hoping to find him still living > with his parents which would lead me to Benjamin's father. Uncle Howard is 95 > and, while still reasonably sharp, is sketchy on details. He is the only one > in the family still living who would have any personal details. > > I believe Benjamin's mother was named Airy Johnston and was born about 1824. > However I don't know if she and his father ever married. She was listed as a > widow. The father could have been married before and was killed in the Ci vil > War after Benjamin was born. Wives died young in those days. She would have > been in her 40's when Benjamin was born, so perhaps she finished raising > whatever children there were. > > I know the information is sketchy. If you could turn up anything else, I > would be very grateful. As it is, I am at a very large brick wall. Benjamin > died in July of 1943 and possibly his death certificate will lead to something. > I need to check that. > > Sandy