Hello list. I am so frustrated with SC searching and not finding a decent lead. So I am asking the list readers for help. The surname I am researching is FORD of Ridgeland SC. My aunt is my primary source of information. From her, I understand Joe (Joseph?) Ford, and african american was to been a well known man and whom owned an enormous amount of land in Mitchville SC. I am going to assume my aunt means Mitchell SC as I cannot find a reference to Mitchville. My aunt indicates that Joe Ford sold land to neighboring relatives. These would include SCHULER, CLARK, RILEY, and DRAYTON. My aunt cannot recall absolute names or dates. I have searched death index, USGenWeb, and other websites without any luck. Can anyone help? Are there any searchable websites that may provide some clues? I have tried census records and cannot locate Joe or his family. I found his daughter, Joannah/Joanna/Joeannh Ford in 1920 as a servant in Ridgeland county. Cany anyone help?? Jean Shop online without a credit card http://www.rocketcash.com RocketCash, a NetZero subsidiary

Jean, I gather you are fairly new to genealogy and do not have a lot of the tools that are used to do research. The first thing I did was reach for my "SC Atlas & Gazeteer" wlhich I bought at the SC Archives this past summer. I use it nearly every day. There is a MITCHELLVILLE just south of Ridgeway, SC on Hwy. 17. That may be the town you need. Some Staples stores have these great maps for sale. You also might want to contact the SC Archives for a Grantor-Grantee Index (you can reach them via the Internet) giving the one surname you are working on, the years you are interested in, and the county (Jasper)etc. and that will probably tell you who he sold the land to. The cost is very low. Since Ridgeland is in Jasper Co., SC you may want to put a query on the Jasper Co. sites , including Genforum. Good luck. J.Harley harleyclan@coastalnet.com ----- Original Message -----