I am hoping someone can give me some ideas for researching my elusive GG and GGG grandfathers, both named John H. SMITH...(Do you know how many John Smiths and John H. Smiths are shown in PA census records from 1790 to 1840? Many, many! With no way to identify them) Known facts: GG Grandfather was John Harris SMITH, born in Allegheny Twp, PA no county given (I understand Venang, Westmoreland, Blair and Butler counties all have an Allegheny Twp, so I'm sending this message to all four) John Harris was born in October 1810. He married Henrietta Murray of Mt. Holly, Burlington Co, NJ Aug 11, 1839. I don't know where, the marriage license doesn't say. The license is signed by L.M. Prettyman, Methodist Episcopal Church. In researching Rev. Prettyman I found him in church minutes of 1843 as being in Snow Hill District assigned to Laurel, PA. (There seem to be many Laurels in PA, and I can't find a Snow Hill at all) I can trace John Harris forward from 1850 on, but not backwards. He moved from PA to Illinois, then Iowa, dying there in 1896. My GGG grandfather was John Harper SMITH, married to Hellen Gornden, both born in PA. That is all I know about him/them. Any help/thoughts as to where to search for records, birth, church, land, etc., will be greatly appreciated. Martha Schuetz Tucson, Arizona _________________________________________________________________ Watch “Cause Effect,” a show about real people making a real difference. Learn more. http://im.live.com/Messenger/IM/MTV/?source=text_watchcause