This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: yorkie128 Surnames: Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/topics.institutions.poorhouses.general/133.1/mb.ashx Message Board Post: You might need to go to the county seat and petition to have the adoption records opened. You also might write to a historical society or news paper to see who owned the hardware store. If he was adopted, the birth cert will have the adoptive parents name. By opening the adoption records, it will have the natural birth parents. Melani 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. <br>