In reply to Michael Helm, My Rankins were all farmers. I don't know why they came to Ohio, unless it was for the land and/or cheaper taxes. Around1810, I would imagine the land was cheaper than in PA. My Thomas Rankin came from Uniontown, Fayette County, PA. He was the oldest son of 11 children. I do not have any Rankins from VA. I also do not have any Helms. After growing up in Guernsey county, my direct Rankin ancestors then went to Tuscarawas County, OH (1850), and then to DeWitt County, IL(1860-70). From there, to Kansas(1880-1910). On every census, they had a new address. For farmers, they really moved a lot. I think it was all to get better and cheaper land, but that is only a guess. As far as I know, the two younger brothers stayed in Guernsey County. They were George Rankin who married Mary Shipley and John Huffman Rankin who married 3 times - (1) Phoebe Galloway; (2) Margaret Shipley (sister of Mary); and (3) Harriet Quillen. John eventually went to New Philadelphia, OH and is buried there. I found most of this information in the book on the History of Guernsey County, which I found at the genealogical library there. If you see any connection here, let me know. Dorothy ________________________________________________________________ GET INTERNET ACCESS FROM JUNO! Juno offers FREE or PREMIUM Internet access for less! Join Juno today! For your FREE software, visit: http://dl.www.juno.com/get/tagj.