Gail, Thanks so much for all of that information. I am going to try and explain what it is I am looking for although I'm not even sure myself. lol My gggrandfather was John Christopher Shipley. He was born on July 7, 1837 in Tennessee (I thought he was born in McMinn Co). He married Theley Jane Fitch on October 31, 1856 in McMinn County. Now the confusing part, I thought his parents were Thomas Christopher Shipley (son of Christopher Shipley and Elizabeth Rutherford) and an unkown woman. But I have found another researcher that says his parents were Nathaniel Shipley and Margaret Taylor. So I am just gathering any Nathaniel Shipley, Thomas Shipley, and John Shipley information to see if I can get this straightened out. There was another researchers that said she had Thomas on the 1840,1850,1860, and 1870 McMinn Co census but I cant find him. Now I also have a report from the researcher that thinks Nathaniel is John's father and she says that she found Nathaniel of the 1850 census for Grainger Co with his wife and 6 children. On the 1860 census also for Grainger she has them listed with 5 of the previous children plus an additional child and 2 wives of the older sons and 2 small grandchildren. I was trying to find these two records to see if it was John and Theley. Okay sorry to get so long winded but this has turned into a major puzzle. Thanks so much for listening and for your time and help. I really appreciate it. Sondra