Thanks for wading in, Sherry. Mac, You asked what is appropriate for discussion on this list. Quite simply, the rules are: 1. Please stay on topic. This list is for discussion of Jefferson County Genealogy. If your message is directed at a single individual, send a private e-mail message to that person. 2. Flaming will not be tolerated. Your story was amusing, Mac, and as Sherry points out, every family seems to have "a character" who stands out from the rest. We don't mind a funny story now and then, but, in the future, please identify it as such by putting "OFF TOPIC" or "FAMILY STORIES". By doing so, you give those that aren't interested the opportunity to use their Delete key. Now let's get back to genealogy. At the age of about 18 my g-grandfather came to Jefferson County in 1850 with his Uncle to "seek his fortune" in lumbering. A year later his mother died in the Yellow Fever epidemic that was raging in Philadelphia, and his father (my g-g-grandfather) moved the rest of his family to Jefferson County to be near to his older son. -- Alice J. Gayley Co-Coodinator, Jefferson County Genealogy Project http://www.pa-roots.com/jefferson Pennsylvania in the Civil War http://www.pa-roots.com/PACW/index.html PA-Roots.com Co-Host http://www.pa-roots.com