Hello. I am currently researching my grandfather's family. He was William Pierce born in Lower Merion Twp, PA on June 27, 1899. He was raised as William Pierce Hansell and died in 1987. He was married to Frances Krull (b. around 1915) from Pottsville, PA. According to the family stories my grandfather was orphaned shortly after birth when his parents died of consumption. He was raised by his Aunt - Sylimilla Pierce (b. 1872) and her husband John Hansell (b. 1869). According to the 1900 Census Records, Sylimilla (aka Lynnie) and John Hansell lived with her father, widower William Pierce, in Lower Merion Township, PA. Sylimilla Pierce(great name, huh?) and John Hansell had two daughters, Myrtle (b. 1891 d. 1966) and Elizabeth Young Hansell (b. 1896 d. 1997). I have not been able to dig up any information on the elder William. I have not been able to connect him to the Chester County Pierce family. There was a J.S.Pearce who was prominant in Lower merion- he was an undertaker and coroner, whose name is sometimes spelled Pierce in historic records. My grandfather worked for undertakers from the 1920 until the 1960s. But so far I haven't been able to make that link either. My grandfather is buried in Westminster Cemetary in Bala Cynwyd, PA. I plan to make a trip there over the holidays. I'll let you know what I turn up. I will also stop at the Courthouse in Norristown for some birth certificates, although they say they have nothing prior to 1893. For Christmas I hope to be able to give my mother some sort of a family tree, because she really knows nothing about this side of her family. I feel fortunate to have discovered the Pierce Project. I am willing to share information if you want me as a researcher. Thanks, Cheryl Scanlon _________________________________________________________________ The new MSN 8: advanced junk mail protection and 2 months FREE* http://join.msn.com/?page=features/junkmail