Geni Friend Judy & Genies Yes, my Grandfather worked in the mines in Marianna, Pa. He was killed in the Marianna Mine Blast of 1908, on Nov. 28, 1908. I have been searching for him for over 30 years and with many many many helpful searchers there has never been a shred of evidence to find him, other than his death certificate proving he was killed in the mines and the names of the dead miners in the Observer-Reporter. In the article of the mine explusion they say that there was a Relief Fund for the families of the Marianna Victims. I had inquired with many searchers if there would have been a record of the wives and pertinent information of who recieved funds and where I could possible search? My Grandfather MICHAEL STEVENS was born in Russia Sept. 1, 1886, haven't been able to find his entry into the U.S.A. or boat passage. He had to have come over after the 1900 census and died before the 1910 census, couldn't find him in the Canonsburg census. My Mother was born in Canosnsburg, Pa. on Jun. 5, 1907, and her brother was born Dec. 28, 1908 one month after the death of his father MICHAEL STEVENS. MARY STEVENS was his wife and she died Jun 6, 1927 and haven't been able to find an obit for her, but do have her death certificate. Is there some where to find the applications the miners would have been filled out to work in the mines at that time for that new mine? In August of 1906 the work of putting down the mine shaft of the Rachel mine ws commenced in the new town of Marianna, Pa. and the following winter similar work was begun at the Agnes Mines, a short distance south-west of the former Rachel mine. In these Marianna mines were some of the best miners that the Pittsburg-Buffalo Company had. They were brought there from Cannonsburg, Monongahela, Catsburg and others points. Into these mines had gone the pick and flower of the Pittsburg-Buffalo Company miners, here was the model mine and in that work the best were chosen to perform it. I am still searching what his Russian last name would have been, other than STEVENS, since he may have Americanzed his name as so many from the Old Country did? They were "Old Belivers of the Russian St Nicholas Church" in Marianna, Pa. So on with the unending seaching hoping out there somewhere he will let me find him ! CARPE DIEM~~~~ Lori : ) in Arizona CHUCKLE: Buying a load of topsoil teaches us that although some things in life may still be dirt cheap, dirt isn't one of them.