This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: photo66666 Surnames: Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.northam.usa.states.pennsylvania.counties.washington/3924.1.1/mb.ashx Message Board Post: The oil fields were midway between Buffalo/Rochester NY and Pittsburgh. It's the Preston family that tell me they might be related to Fransis Preston Blair who nominated John C Fremont as the Republican nominee for President in 1856 at the Pittsburgh Republican Convention around Feb 1856 on the Anti-Slavery Ticket. The anti-slavery movement was very big in Rochester NY with Frederick Douglas who is buried at Mount Hope Cemetery. My family was related to Catholic Bishop Stephen V Ryan the Bishop of Buffalo NY. They lived in Pittsburgh but traved the Pittsburgh Buffalo road that goes right through the oil fields of Oil City. The Prestons I believe would be related to Col Coffey, a supply officer during the Revolution but that's a guess. 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.