Peggy - If you know where they were in NY State, the 1855 NY census may be of help to you. (NY took a census every 10 years, in the years ending in 5.) To my knowledge this census has not been collected together, indexed, or transcribed. Perhaps some other subscribers can provide more information. The 1850 census index lists the following Patrick Reeds in NY State: Genessee Co., Batavia, p. 225 NY County, NYC Ward 16, pages 41, 118, 163 Ditto, Ward 9, page 438 Oneida Co., Westmoreland, page 105 Orange Co., Cornwall, page 163 Rockland Co., Haverstraw, page 317 Sullivan Co., Rockland, page 217 Washington Co., Kingsbury, page 234