Thank you, Rosemary, for your kind remarks. I have looked for some of my family in the St. Louis area also. My gr grandmother, Clara Hampton, was a daughter of a George Stidger of Ohio. They lived in Meigs Co. OH where George died in 1875. I found a Roland Stidger in this same place and lost him after about 1850 in the Ohio records. I suspect Roland and George were probably brothers - they were born 1818 and 1823. I've not found who their parents were, but according to census records, they were all born in Ohio. Browsing the St. Louis records one day I came across a Lucinda Stidger living there. The 1890 Missouri census said she was the widow of a Roland Stidger. I know Roland married Lucinda Hysell in 1844 in OH. I'm pretty sure this is the same Roland Stidger who was in Ohio. Cemetery records of Belle Fontaine Cemetery indicate he died in St. Louis in Dec 1862. Do you happen to know of any obituaries or places in St. Louis records I might check to see if I can find anything further on the Stidger name there? I've tried to follow up on any Stidger as my Clara Hampton may have lived with one of them after she became a widow. Thanks. juanita > Juanita, have read your saga of your search for your family and I > am impressed. I have been working on my family history for about > 18 years and know how much work goes into research, especially > before the computer and online resourses. You will find your > Clara Hampton I am sure and wish you all the luck in the world. > > Rosemary in St. Louis > > ______________________________