Hi! Just a little get-acquainted info. I'm Joyce Gehringer, born and raised in WV but now living in MO. Since graduating high school in 1979 I have four children from my first marriage and am in my second marriage, no children and don't plan on any. My children are Kelly - 20 and she has a wonderful little baby boy of 4months, my son-in-laws' name is Cliff, Gregory is 18 and in his first year in college majoring in History and (I think) a minor in Ministry, Anna is 16 and living with her dad - she is in the high school band, Army ROTC, and active in her church, and my youngest is Ben - 11 going on 22 but is doing well in school and LOVES Beanie Babies, Pokemon Cards, and Baseball (the sport and cards). I lived in New York State for 4 years, Cambridgeshire Col, England for 4 years, Northern California for 11 years and now in MO for almost a year. Have traveled to one or two other countries for short visits and several places in different states within the U.S. I must say though that there is some breath-takingly beaurtiful country out there, my heart is and always will be in the mountains of "home". My interests include, of course, genealogy, crafts of various kinds, history, writing poetry, travel, camping, fishing, meeting new people, making new friends, and just enjoying life. My research is currently focused on the surname of CHANNEL(L). In particular a MAHALA (unknown maiden name) that was married to a SOLOMON CHANNEL(L) with three children listed in the 1850 Highland Co, OH census. He was aged 41 and she of 43. SOLOMON was not in the 1860 Census for High. Co., and neither was MAHALA. How ever, MAHALA was listed in the 1860, Van Buren County, Iowa Census with JOSEPH CHANNEL(L) and one son WILLIAM J. JOSEPH is believed by me to be a brother of SOLOMON however I am not certain. Also because of the age of WILLIAM J., age 21 years ,(whose ancestry and descendents is my focus) on both Census records, it is possible that SOLOMON is his natural father and JOSEPH is his step-father. I am hoping to connect this line of Channel(l)s to the line of Channells I am descended from. I feel I'm close but no "cigar" yet. I received a couple of mailings already from a previous posting of my surname search, I think from members of this list. If so, I have your info printed and will get back to you as soon as possible. Other surnames connected with CHANNEL(L) being researched to date are GRAVITT, WHORTON, LASTLEY. Any assistance is soooo appreciated. Thank-you and have a good week! Love, Joyce Other addys: [email protected] [email protected] God sends us angels...we call them friends. You are one of mine.