Hi Pat, It may be a problem with the spelling / pronunciation of the word. If the census taker didn't know how to spell it, he may have just written down what it sounded like phonetically. Is it pronounced " A-ler " " O-ler " "OY-ler ? "U-ler" or "OO-ler" ?? My soundex index shows spellings of OYLER and OLLER when I enter OEHLER. Did Joseph and Margaret stay in Hamilton Co.? Were they born in the US or were they German immigrants? My 1850 index shows 4 results for the OEHLER spelling: Francis Oehler Cincinnati Ward 4, Hamilton, OH abt 1823 Germany Nicky Oehler Cincinnati Ward 4, Hamilton, OH abt 1825 Germany Peter Oehler Cincinnati Ward 10, Hamilton, OH abt 1829 Germany John Oehler Cincinnati Ward 10, Hamilton, OH abt 1808 Switzerland Have you found them in any census years at all? Marilyn ----------------------original message------------------------- In a message dated 03/03/05 11:46:14 AM Eastern Standard Time, pgough@mcls.rochester.lib.ny.us writes: << i am trying to track down JOSEPH OEHLER. here's what i know about him--he married MARGARET PISTNER on feb. 11, 1839 in holy trinity church in cincinnati. i am having NO LUCK finding him in the census records at heritagequest database. is there anyone out there who can help me? thanks, pat >>