Thank you all for your responses to the question of guardianship of minor children. I have one more question along the same lines. John Butler left ten children and a wife. I don't know that he left a will, so far none has been mentioned in any of the court records. John's personal property was split eleven ways, to include all ten children and his wife. However, his land was only split ten ways, to exclude his wife. It appears that two of the adult female heirs were married; one was a widow; one was unmarried. Two minor female chilren are included in the distribution of land. Was it common to exclude the widow of the deceased, yet include the adult and minor unmarried daughters? Thanks again, Karla