There are two RUSS families listed in the Goodspeed's History of Bedford County Here is the link to that page http://homepages.rootsweb.com/~khopkins/GdspdBiosIndex.html Don't know if you are familiar with this book but it was published in 1886 and from what I understand you had to pay to put your information in it. Hope this connects you to your RUSS. are you familiar with the area they lived in - whether North south east or west sides of the counties. Sometimes if you know this you can search the township info sites for that area. Also, due to the Duck river in Shelbyville, many times they had to go to other counties to do some business because they couldn't get in to the courthouse area. So don't rule out the close counties to their area. The Bedford County Site has lots of great info if your not familiar with it here is the address for it. http://www.tngenweb.org/bedford/ Since his wife was born in Murfreesboro area you may want to check the Rutherford County site if you haven't already. http://www.tngenweb.org/rutherford/ Welcome to Bedford County. I think you will find it a very friendly site. We all work together to help one another. I have received lots of help so I am always happy to help another person. It's true, what goes around comes around. Best of luck in this crazy hobby we love. Cindy Stephenson Robertson