Phyllis and all, it is not so that the mother was not made guardian. I found that Lana (Lena) Goldsmith was made guardian of her two young sons after her husband died in 1844. It may be that they were left property. Later when Lena remarried the two boys had other guardians until they reached 21. It's wonderful that some of the Hamilton Co. stuff is now online!! Sandi -----Original Message----- It does not mean the mother had died. Men were made guardians, not women. Phyllis