I just heard from a distant relative that sharecroppers were paid in cash but still had to register with the farmer that they worked for as being an employee with them the individual farmer paying them for services!? With that said, I wonder if they recorded these records anywhere other than with themselves? For instance, did they have to leave a list of employees with the big company buyers that bought their goods? To prove that they could get the job done within the time required? My Gramma picked cotton for several years after her mother died in 1918. Gramma was 13 at the time of her mother's death waiting for her Dad to arrive from Arkansas. He received the word that his X-wife had died almost a year after the fact. Leaving their only child without any parental guidance or assistance in life except for kind neighbors that took her in ... [I think?] I truly don't know!? Maybe an orphanage ... but I know she did "Pick Cotton" for several years either prior to her 1st marriage or even during her 1st marriage. In the Howe area of Oklahoma, was Cotton being raised? Was there such an arrangement with Cotton growers as to how you [the picker of the Cotton - " I could of said " Cotton Picker :o) ] the worker, paid? Gramma picked Cotton for 2 years or more during the late 1910's between 1919 - 1925 from what I understand through stories, this happened before she left the area of Howe! Maybe not in Howe, maybe somewhere in S.E. Oklahoma!? Any suggestions as to where to look for more facts and clues on this subject? I hope I explained that well enough? Shelia C. BACHELDER webachel@wolf.co.net Researching: Paternal: TRIMBLE, BAKER, SMITH, HOLDREN, McCOY, LANTZ, SHIMER Maternal: HARB*SON, MITCHELL, YORK, VAUGHT, HATFIELD, TWEEDLE, SIMS Others: COPELAND, BACHELDER, AUDET, RAYMOND, LOVEJOY, GUPTILL, CARNAHAN