I noticed in the pension records for my Civil War ancestor Isaac B. Finney, of Tuscarawas, that his wife Rachel Orr had hired an attorney from Guernsey County to help her file her pension records. I am curious as to why Rachel did not hire someone from the county that she lived in? Why would she travel to a neighboring county? Rachel lived in Gilmore which is at the southern end of the county so perhaps it was closer to go another county? I think the attorney she hired, Edward Bell was in Cambridge and I have not checked mapquest yet to see if Cambrigde is closer to Gilmore than New Philadelphia or Uhricsville. Perhaps she chose Edward Bell due to a family connection? I was told once years ago by someone who thought Isaac's middle initial B. stood for Bell as there was some Finney's somewhere that connected with the Bell family somewhere in Ohio but I could never make a connection or confirm this information. If anyone has ever heard of any Finney/Bell or Bell/Orr connections, I would very much like to correspond with you. Many thanks again. Gerald Finney

Gerald: Not sure what period you're talking about but there does appear to be one connection, at least via the Lawrence family, who are connected to the Bell's. The first one I find is Index Guernsey Co Marriages 1879-1885 (Book III, pg 308) Groom: Orr, E. C. Bride: Lawrence Adda A. Here's a site that may help you: http://bettyshinn.com/ which has many of the vital records indexed. Happy Hunting! Elizabeth