Attention: "Bob T" Strong, Jr. and anyone else familiar with the 1820 Strongs of Smith Co., TN and/or the children of Thomas Strong and Annie Fields of Rockingham Co., NC. I am still trying to find the parents of Hiram Strong, who lists his age as 41 and his state of birth as TN in the 1850 Census for Newton Co., MO. Previously, "Bob T" provided me with some very helpful information on early TN Strongs, including 1820 census information (see his his two replies dated 28 Aug 1998). I had hoped to narrow the field of possibilities by first determining where Hiram and his wife Rebecca, who also listed her state of birth as TN, were married, but have thus far been unsuccessful. Since their first child, John, was born about 1832 in IL, it's conceivable they were married in IL. Since I haven't been able to narrow the field this way, let me try to do so by asking a few more questions of those who possess information about the Strongs of this time and place. "Bob T" suggested that I examine two early TN Strong families for which the sons have not been identified. The first was the family of John Strong of Davidson County, who died about 1815, leaving his wife, Martha (nee Morton) and two adult sons. Since my Hiram was born about 1809, he could not have been one of these adult sons. While it's possible this John Strong may have had younger children, there would have been quite an age gap since the first child had attained adulthood by 1805. This family does not appear to be a fit for my Hiram. The second Strong family that "Bob T" suggested merited scrutiny was Thomas Strong of Davidson County (the Thomas who appears on page 256 of the 1830 Census). It appears this Thomas had five sons under the age of 10 years at the time of the 1830 Census. My Hiram would have been about 21 in 1830, so he does not fit this family's profile. While it's possible that this Thomas had an older son who had moved to IL by 1830, again the gap in ages between my Hiram and the 1830 children is such that this seems unlikely. Thus, this family also does not appear to be a fit for my Hiram. With respect to the pre-1820 Strongs listed by "Bob T" who have not been accounted for, since there is no family information on them I can't rule them in or out. That brings me to the 1820 Census information. There are five Strongs in the 1820 Census who have a male child in the 10-15 age range, which is the age range for a birth date of 1809. These are: David of Giles Co., James of Smith Co., John of Smith Co., Samuel of Smith Co., and Sherwood of Davidson Co. I believe David of Giles Co. and Sherwood of Davidson Co. are of "Bob T's" line, so can be eliminated from further consideration on the assumption that he has accounted for their children. That leaves the Strong families of Smith Co., who "Bob T," citing Jim Rolff, indicates are all brothers who are descended from James Strong of Rockingham Co., NC. Have the children of these families been identified? "Bob T" notes that the 1820 Census compilation by Jackson and Teeples omits some families, such as Mastin Strong of Roane Co., TN. Bob, based upon your knowledge of the omitted families, can I eliminate them? Note that a search for Hiram Strong at the FTM site yields only one southern Strong of this time, and that is Hiram F. Strong, who is listed as the ninth child of Thomas Strong and Annie Fields of Rockingham Co., NC. No date is given for this Hiram's birth, but 1809, the date of birth of my Hiram, seems possible given the range of dates for the other children. Does anyone have information on this Hiram? Given the relative rarity of the name, Hiram, what is the relationship, if any, between this Thomas Strong and the Smith Co., TN Strongs? As always, any information from anyone will be much appreciated. Thanks. Robert E. Strong, Jr.