Thanks for the recent thoughts on a translation phrase....... Perhaps someone on the Swiss board can shed some light on a problem we have. In 1852 in Tuscarawas Co, Ohio, an ancestor married a Catherine SAPEST in Fairfield County. My cousin has seen the hand-written marriage record and it seems clear and unambiguous SAPEST. We have performed surname searches in many major genealogical databases, including soundex searches, and have tried phonetic variations and can find no reference anywhere to this suaname or anything similar. My early imiigrant ancestors were from Bevilard, Switzerland, and were active in the Beersheba Moravian Church (Gernam speaking), so am wondering if SAPEST or anything close might be of Swiss origin. Any thoughts? Thanks...... have not participated much, but have greatly appreciated all of the input and interesting angles and views expressed herein. Good luck and good hunting! Rick Charpie surname AKA Charpier, Charpiez, Charpy, Sharpie, Sherpy, Charpia, Sharpee, Charpie (e-accent), Charpea, and possibly Charpilla.