In Pennsylvania, as in other states, and as still is the case today, children above a certain age are allowed some say in who their guardian should be. This particular law doesn't seem to have changed much in PA, as I find this on the web: Pa. O.C. Rule 12.5. Appointment of a Guardian for the Estate or Person of a Minor. ___(a) A petition for the appointment of a guardian for the estate or person of a minor shall be filed by the minor, if over fourteen years of age, and if under such age, by his parent or parents, the person with whom he resides or by whom he is maintained or by any person as next friend of the minor. The law has been written in such a way that changing the age of majority does not require rewriting all the rules. In "old Chester," this was 21? In the orphans court records, it is then usual to see minor children subdivided into the categories of under 14 and over 14. If a child chooses to petition for a new guardian on turning 14, this can be helpful evidence for birth year (even date sometimes). --Anne __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com