Thank you for that information. I don't remember exactly what I posted in my inquiry. Did I mention that Frank was (according to the family's "verbal records") American Indian? It sounds like I may have listed him as black, although, I'm not sure of that either. I do know he was born in TENN. and I would like to find him somewhere. Patty In a message dated 5/18/2005 12:23:01 PM Mountain Standard Time, webachel@wolf.co.net writes: > Dear Patty - Looking for >Frank Burton for the year 1894.< > > Unless the marriage was performed on Indian Territory by an Indian priest, > even then, records were not kept regularly and the chances of finding a > marriage documentation is rare for any ethnic blends or mixes. Even Indian to a > white person was rarely recorded. If a listing is given that they're living > together as a husband and wife such as a Fed Census, their union was probably > courtesy of NO ceremony. The understanding through common-law was accepted > that they're married, with NO benefit of a legal certificate or documentation. > > > It's a sad situation but all so true. I have to accept in my own family, > having little if none over documentation and even then, with what I do have, > it's vague ... to say the least, doesn't verify much. > > Good Luck, I'm interested in what or if anything pops up for you in your > hunt. Please keep us posted if something breaks through? > > Shelia C. Bachelder > Austin, MN webachel@wolf.co.net > Meandering Minnesota Meadows > Original Origins Oklahoma >