Dear Bob, I don't even know if you would be interested in my relative; In about 1843 or '44, my Great grandfather, Will Benus, a brother, Augustus, and several siblings, along with their mother and father, came from Germany or England on a ship (starting to the United States) and on the way over, a lot of folks got Cholera, died and were buried at sea. I guess when his folks found they were getting the disease, they sent the 2 boys who hadn't gotten it, over to the far side of the ship. They were only about 10 and 12. All I can find out was that the total family except the 2 boys, died; when the ship docked at New York, (as I was told was a practice), the boys were just put off and told to fend for themselves. I was told by living relatives that they knew nothing about them afterward when they were young men that they ended up in Greeley, KA. I do have a little info. on Will, because he was my GGrandfather; but the relatives tell me that Will would never talk about his childhood. only telling the small bit I have put down. The other boy, Gus, I can find only one thing about him; that he was in Illinois in 1860, and had married a lady named Sophie. I have looked on many ship records trying to find their names, but no such luck. I would like, of course, to find records of the parents, but have almost given up on that; next, I would like to try to find out anything about Will's brother, Gus (Augustus) Benus. You may not even be interested in this, but if so, I would sure be glad. Let me know. THANKS. However you decide, it is most kind of you to do this for us cousins on OKCREEK-L. Allene Petree [email protected]