Hi everyone, My name is Linda Michals-Lapinski, my maiden name was Payne. I am new to this list. I have been researching the Payne's since March of this year and am against a brick wall. This is what I have so far: Myself: Linda Payne, born 7/29/1955 Father: Keith H. Payne, b. 2/28/1933, Chicago, IL, d. 8/26/2000, Ispheming, MI Grandfather: Joseph H. Payne, b. 12/30/1902, Many, LA, d. 5/27/1966, Carthage, TX Gr. Grandfather: Jack M. Payne, b. 10/1861, Texas,(per 1900 census) d. 4/22/1940, Shreveport,LA Of course, I have the spouses and children for these men, but did not want to bore everyone! I know that Jack and his wife Alice left Many, LA around 1909 and moved to Palestine, TX. There they had 3 children that I know of. A total of 11 children were born to Jack and Alice. It is rumored he worked for the railroad in Palestine, do not the RR line, however, since he died in 1940, The Railroad Pension Board cannot help me, he would not have drawn a pension. I could not find him in the 1910 or 1920 Palestine, TX census either. Which is odd since he had at least 3 children there from 1909-1915. I'm thinking of looking again! Since the state of Louisiana did not keep death records until 1942, I'm stuck there also. No known military service either. I have looked and searched with all the search engines, genforums, etc. Without knowing his parent's names, it's been very frustrating. There are no living children of this marriage left. I only have a few aunts left who know very little, plus some scattered cousins who I can't find either. So, I am hopeful this posting will produce some results amongst the "Paynes" who subscribe. Thank you