Melanie, Don't be discouraged. It takes a lot of time and work sometimes. Some families are harder to find than others, too. And we can't forget that we do get help from elsewhere. The statement "Between you and the Lord you can move mountains" is true. But we can't forget the second part: "Just don't be surprised when he hands you a shovel." Keep looking. I looked for years for clues about my German ancestors, the Wolf family. Then I came across one document that my great aunt had kept for years that gave a town in Germany. I found, at the FHC, film and fiche from the Catholic parish there and took my line back to 1600. You'll find them someday. Good luck. Crystal "Melanie Starr by way of Brian J. Newton " wrote: > Dear Crystal Burleson, Diana Starr and Dave Starr, > I have read your messages to one another and your informative e-mail > messages in general on the rootsweb. > My name is Melanie Starr. I live in Fresno, CA and teach school. I > started genealogy back in 1990, worked on it > a few years, then due to other commitments and lack of information > dropped it. Although I still volunteer once > a week in a Family History Center in Fresno. I am alittle envious of > you all and the wonderful communication link you > all have with each other. I too am trying to trace the origin of my > ggg grandparents, John and Rebecca Starr, out > of Stokes Co., NC. They had a son named Jonothan who married Zilpha > Hylton in Floyd Co, VA in 1855. They > had 10 children ( I have all their names, dates, places, spouses, > children, etc) I am descended through Jonothan and Zilpha's fourth > child, John Stewart Starr. I have done some search and only come up > with dead ends. Many of the early records > of Stokes Co, NC or perhaps NC in general are missing, from what I've > learned. Perhaps that is not completely true. Do any of you have any > suggestions for me? One of you mentioned Henry Starr, I have a > copy of > his will, Henry Stoehr (Star) Sr, and wife Anna Dorothea, not sure of > her middle name, not clear on the will) Will is dated 1812. Henry > Star is in Stokes Co. in 1830, 1840. Perhaps he is a brother to my > Jonothan? I am so DISCOURAGED!! I don't know where to look or what > records to search. Please help!! Thank you, > Melanie_Starr@ldsmail.org