Karen't mention of land records reminded me of something I wanted to send ya'll: Remember also that the US Govt's Land Management office is trying to get land records online for each state -- every two or 3 months I go there and they have added another state or two of records which not only are searchable but also by using the program you can download free of charge can actually see the information within the documents themselves (which office sold land, whether sale or given to person, amount of sale, date, etc) -- just remember to search by ALL variations of names. http://www.glorecords.blm.gov (don't recall all the states but pretty sure Missouri, Iowa, Indiana, Ohio and other states going east of those has searchable records -- the first page shows the states they have online at that time in a colorful map. Judy M.