My Perkins line starts in Feb 1855 with the marriage of JOHN PERKINS to TIRZAH IDE in Monroe Co. MI. - They had 5 children between 1855 and 1860 as follows Robert James Edward John William Helen They then moved to Buchanan Co. IO in 1866 and had two more children Eliza Francis Oliver (My direct line) In 1871 Tirzah was living in Wright Co. MN and sold the land they had in Buchanan Co. IO. She homesteaded land granted to John for homesteading. In 1879 she filed for the land stating she was a widow. She took out a mortgage on that land in early 1889 from a Johanna Ames in NH. Later that same year she sold that land and the last info I have on her is where she payed off the mortgage in 1894. I do not know where she disappeared to after that point. In 1900 JOHN turns up in Cass Co MN census living with his son James Edward. It states that John was born in WVA, his father MD, and his mother PA. In other census records state and federal John is listed as being born in PA, VA, WVA. He died in Aitkin Co MN 1902 no info on death certificate. I have been in touch with the families of John Perkins (the younger), James Perkins and Helen Swarthout/Raymand but none know anything about JOHN PERKINS or Tirzah IDE. In fact I had much more info than anyone. Eliza disappears from census records between 1875 and 1880 - can't find a death or a marriage for her in MN. My line is through Francis Oliver who married Verna Mae Roper in 1891 Staples MN. My Dad is George Albert Perkins born Palisade Aitkin MN 1903 and married Mrytle Violet Valiquet. They lived in Crosby Crow Wing MN until 1944 when we moved to Bremerton WA. Any suggestions or help would be greatly appreciated. I have researched land records in Wright Co, MN, Buchanan Co, IO, and Monroe Co, WI but have been unable to find any leads to JOHN. Where was he between 1860-65 and 1871-1900? Although there is a John Perkins in the civil war from Monroe Co. WI - it is not him nor do they seem to have any relationship. I have tried the neighboring families in the 1860 census records to no avail. I have looked at all eastern census records for 1850 and some western and find only one JOHN PERKINS in IL married to another woman who could match mine including occupation as a cabinet maker. I have been unable to trace this one but his age is off and he was born in KY. Supposedly we are "shirt-tail" relatives of Gen Sibley and Chauncey Lamson - I have research both of these and not found anything. Another rumor is that we are related to Jesse James but isn't just about everyone? The only help I have received was the OLD TIMER'S WPA record from Crow Wing Co. in which Francis Oliver said where he was born, gave his father's name, and that they lived near Independence Buchanan IO Suggestions anyone? Jackie Perkins-Horton, Silverdale WA Jackie Perkins-Horton