"Marcia Smith" <[email protected]> wrote: This is the first mention I've noted of a THOMAS connection to CT. I just returned from gene trip to IL where I found James E. THOMAS in LaSalle County (1860 Census) then moving to Vermilion County, Illinois (Land Record dated 8 Sept 1869). Anyone recognize possible connection to any of this THOMAS family~ from 1860 Census: James Thomas, age 38, Farmer, birthyear Abt 1822 in CT wife, Harriet (Edget)Thomas, age 35, birthyear Abt 1825 in CT Ellen Thomas, age 17, b. 9 Apr 1844 in CT James Thomas, age 14/16, b. 1844/46 in CT Frank Thomas, age 11, b.Abt 1849 in CT Lewis Thomas, age 7, b.Abt 1853 in IL Emma Thomas, age 4 b. Abt 1856 in IL My family records also claim a connection to William Penn history, but I've been unable to prove the connection. From my long deceased father[so--heresay]: "THOMAS came to America 1620's and that he had a tract of land next to William Penn.". That's 200 years of CT hx unbeknown to me. I have still been unable to establish the connection. I would appreciate any comments~ -------------------- Marcia, here's something I do. Go to ancestry.com or rootsweb, get onto the "trees", choose "advanced search" and sort like this: [surname]thomas (don't use a given name), birth year 1822 then try +-2 years, +-5, +-10, or even +-20 and read any and everything that looks interesting, even duplicates. What you learn is likely just what towns people are having babies in about the time and place you need, and you also learn what parents are doing it. :) Also take a look at all the siblings of the ones you find, maybe more than one moved to the place/s you've found yours -- that gets interesting. PS Since she's born CT also, once you've done Thomas, do Edget also! Hey, you can even take a shot at plain sort-for-any Thomas who married Edget with no other options and see what you get. It's amazing how often siblings marry siblings, when contrasted to today. I've "wasted" enormous amounts of time doing this and taking notes -- and it works more often than I can tell you. Any clue is a CLUE, even when the clue is where NOT to look and who NOT to look at. Kaye in Texas __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? SBC Yahoo! DSL - Now only $29.95 per month! http://sbc.yahoo.com