Hi Listers, I'm new here.  I hope someone can help or at least point me in the right direction.   First, I live in Massachusetts and am trying to help a man in New Zealand to find some of his missing roots.   The name he is researching is FIRTH. Thomas FIRTH was born in Bingley Yorkshire England in 1826.    The English researcher wrote "Thomas b. Bingley 1826.  Of the ten boys and one girl in the family he is one of them who probably went to the US." Since I'm the American, the search fell upon me.   So far I have searched on Ancestry for ship's lists and found nothing for certain, I have searched for someone with his name who emigrated within the general time period.   I did find one Thomas FIRTH in Hamilton Cty who fit the time period and was born in England.    However, I can't figure out if he is the same one who was b. in Bingley in 1826! So far I have contacted the probate court in Cincinnati for possible naturalization records but they found nothing.   Then I sent money to the University library to get a copy of a marriage certificate which could be him -- Thomas Firth m. Zillah Wilson on 28, March, 1851 in Peoria IL.   (I had found that marriage by looking at online marriages with his name and the general year.) The marriage certificate proved nothing because they were married by a justice of the peace and there are no parents' names!  On the 1880 US census I have Thomas and his wife Gilah (Zillah?) nee Wilson ages 54 and 45.  Children are John, Ida, George, Ella, Norman, Corra, Lillie.    I have found records for a John M Firth, a George Firth, and Norman Firth that fit the right time and place for their sons.  The big question is this---how can I see if this Thomas FIRTH, age 54 on the 1880 census is the same Thomas FIRTH b. 1826 in England that my friend is looking for?      I've been trying to crack this case since September and would love it if anyone can offer any help. Best regards, Lois in Massachusetts