Everyone who is interested in AL ancestry...pay attention to the ALABAMA ARCHIVES: MILITARY RECORDS site that Robin posted. So much for "early to bed" tonight. This reminded me.....I ran across a story of a Riddle who was too old to fight in the Civil War so he went to the coast and harvested salt for the Confederate troops. Any of you familiar with this? Happy, happy 4th to everyone. I am still so new on this search that I am in awe of what our ancestors endured to bring us to where we are today. My grandmother was a TRUE daughter of the confederacy. My greatgrandfather fought in the Civil War. My ggggrandfather fought in the Revolutionary War and was a prisoner in Sav. Ga. Ate grain that spilled from the horses feedings to stay alive.I lived with my grandparents in Albertville, Al. during WWII as my Dad fought and was ultimately a prisoner of war and Mother was a "Rosie the Riveter" in Gadsden, Al. I feel I was born with one foot in one century and the other in next. I wish all of us could have the data and personal stories that I have from my maternal side....my Riddle side has been a pain in the wazhoo.....as it has been to many others. Do you realize I had to take my grandchildren to a farm to show them how vegetables actually grow? This has nothing and everything to do with genealogy...I hope we all look around and do a personal inventory of our blessings....then, tomorrow, offer thanks for where we are today. I thank you all who have helped me so much and I promise to keep being a bee in your bonnet. I WILL find the family of Thomas William Riddle. He was a remarkable man because my father said so. Meanwhile, my unproven cousins, have a safe and happy fourth. Linda Riddle Lane drgnfly@primenet.com