Hi all -- I am running into an interesting situation researching my ancestor James Watson, born about 1832 in Potter Twnshp, wife Elizabeth (Hess), and children Andrew J., born about 1835, Anna B, born about 1835., and Robert L., born 1864, allegedly near Bellefonte. According to a family narrative, James was a "prominent farmer" in Centre County and was buried in Bellefonte. I have found him on the 1860 census in Walker Township as a day laborer but he completely disappears from the census in 1870 and 1880, therefore I am questioning the accuracy of the family narrative. I am trying to pursue information about his burial, as the narrative said that he was buried in Bellefonte. I checked the records of the Union cemetery online and do not find a listing for James. My question: Are there other cemeteries in Bellefonte or does James show up in anyone's cemetery records. He must have died sometime after 1864. The Watson family was Presbyterian. I did get a good suggestion to c! ontact the library to look up tax records, which I will do. Also, does anyone have information about westward migration of Centre County families, specifically to Illinois? There may be a connection with this family to Joliet, Ill. I scanned a few pages of the 1880 census from Joliet and found names from Centre County that are familiar to me through poring over the census (specifically, Spanglers who were born in Pa.) so I am wondering if groups of famlies might have moved to this area. It is also interesting to me that after looking at every page of the 1880 Centre County census that so few Watson's remain in the area, since there were at least three very prolific families of Watsons in the late 1700's. That's what makes this all so fascinating -- right? Hope some of you with more experience will have some information. And thank you all for your responses to all my questions.