This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: j_d_arment Surnames: Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.northam.usa.states.pennsylvania.counties.berks/9867.2.1/mb.ashx Message Board Post: I also tried looking for him in 1850 many times. The identity of his father seems to elude me at every turn. Still, Benjamin has to be in it somewhere. Here's what I know of Benjamin F Keenen's birth: it's been said that he was born 27 Dec 1837 in Reading. His death record says his mother was a Mary Horton (it's not known if Horton was her maiden name or married name, if she married again). It's assumed Benjamin's father died early on, which would account for him living with a family in Salisbury Twp, Lanc Co in 1860. The Hoas family, there, Benjamin's last name is spelled Kenon. Eventually, it was spelled a Keenen, which was my grandmother's and her father's surname. He may have been living elsewhere in 1850, whre, I have no ida, but he seems to appear for the first time in 1860. I would be very very grateful if someone could look in that database and see if he's there. I don't have the means to get to the Berks Co His Soc myself, which is why I asked. There is a Benga Keen! an in Reading in 1880, but that's obiously not the same man, but quite possibly an uncle. My Benjamin did die 23 Mar 1918 in Lanc. I have his obituary and location of his burial, but neither one lists his father or is of any help in determining who it is. But I can only speculate. Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board.