I have just learned that Ohio counties were required to keep birth records beginning in 1867, so I am excited at the possibility of actually finding my grandfather's birth record, and hopefully the identity of his parents. He was William Louis Smith, born in Lorain County, Ohio on August 17, 1889. Census data indicates his father was born in Germany, and mother "maybe" born England (?). He died March 26, 1930 at the age of 40 in Tupelo, Lee County, Mississippi, and was a farmer at that time. He died just eleven days before my father, Willie Robert Smith, was born. At the time he filled out his World War One draft registration card he was living in Columbus, Lowndes County, Mississippi, and working for the old Southern railroad (which later became the Columbus-Greenville railroad) as a flagman. In 1920, he was still with the railroad and living in Greenville, Washington County, Mississippi. After the 1927 great Mississippi River flood, he met my grandmother in Tishomingo County, MS and they married probably 1928 or 1929, and moved to Mooreville, in Lee County, where they lived until his death. She returned to Tishomingo County with my father. I hope someone can help me find this record! Thank you! Willie Smith Hillsboro, Tennessee

Could someone please do a lookup to see if William Louis Smith, born 1889 (so age on census would be given probably as "19", or "20") is on the 1910 census? He was born August 17, 1889, and 1920 Washington Co. MS census states his father was born "Germany" mother possibly born "England"..He spoke fluent German, and in 1917 through 1920 was a flagman with the Southern (Greenville-Columbus MS) Railroad, living in Columbus, MS in 1917 and in Greenville, MS in 1920. HOPEFULLY, he was on the 1910 census for Lorain County...He was still listed as "single" in 1917 and in 1920 also.. Thanks! Will Smith

I can look. Do you think he is in the LORAIN OH census in 1910. I notice he is from Mississippi. -----Original Message----- From: wolfman@blomand.net To: ohlorain@rootsweb.com Sent: Sat, 24 Feb 2007 1:18 PM Subject: [OHLORAIN] Lookup 1910 census, William L. Smith, b.1889 Could someone please do a lookup to see if William Louis Smith, born 1889 (so age on census would be given probably as "19", or "20") is on the 1910 census? He was born August 17, 1889, and 1920 Washington Co. MS census states his father was born "Germany" mother possibly born "England"..He spoke fluent German, and in 1917 through 1920 was a flagman with the Southern (Greenville-Columbus MS) Railroad, living in Columbus, MS in 1917 and in Greenville, MS in 1920. HOPEFULLY, he was on the 1910 census for Lorain County...He was still listed as "single" in 1917 and in 1920 also.. Thanks! Will Smith ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to OHLORAIN-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message ________________________________________________________________________ AOL now offers free email to everyone. Find out more about what's free from AOL at AOL.com.

I believe I have found the parents of my William Rice, born August 1889 (1884 on census): William Smith born March 1866 Germany entered U.S. 1888 Augusta C. , wife, born August 1863 Germany, entered U.S. 1883 children: William Smith, August 1884 "Ohio" (note discrepancy with father's arrival in U.S. If 1888, then William, to be born in Ohio, would have been born 1889..) Clara Smith 1890 Ohio John Smith age 34 in 1910 Florence, age 18 in 1910. Apparently the father is dead by 1910, as Augusta is head of household. William, the son, is not in the HH after 1910.. Any help on this family would be most gratefully appreciated!!!! Regards, Will Smith