Thank you all so much. This has been an awful line for me to work on, in more ways than one!... After examining the document excerpts, I am asking the following questions: 1 am going from least likely to most likely in my mind... if you see flaws please point them out. 1.Was Henry Williams the father to Henry J. Williams, and was this Henry J. Williams my James Williams, to differentiate him from his father Henry? Was Conrad W. Williams the son of Henry J. Williams? Does anyone have a name for henry j. williams' wife? I am getting more confused now, but that is normal for me! 2.Why would conrad get a 1/8th portion , which sounds by reading that it was an expected amount, from the estate, unless he was the minor son of Henry Williams 1, The estate was not probated to it's conclusion to the heirs(children ) untill the death of Matty Williams, correct? If this is so, then Henry J. Williams was probably at his majority and became guardian of his younger brother, conrad, upon the death of his Mother, Matty... the name Matty can be short for Martha, correct? Was Henry Williams 1 also named Henry J. Williams, the james williams of my record? Henry williams 1 and Matty had alot of children. but what were Henry and Matty's birth dates is there any record of burial, grave, ages at death?What did Henry Williams 1 die of? what did Matty die of? 3. census record Montgomery co TN 1850 shows a James Williams, wife Martha...no Conrad listed, and he wouldnt be, because he is married and living in Iowa in 1850 James is old enough at 49 to have had a son in 1822 but this martha would have only been 15... Was this James williams and wife Martha the older brother and sister in law of conrad williams? At 49 to conrad's 28 years in 1850 that seems to be a reasonable thought to me. This would have also made this james, or Henry James, if he was so named, and if this James was the son of henry williams 1, old enough in 1840 to be the guardian to conrad.... 4. Henry and Matty williams, son Henry J. Williams, on 1850 census James and Martha Williams, and james and martha williams on conrad's death cert... I just love genealogy research!!! <BG> You all are just great. any thoughts on all this rambling appreciated... by the way, just one more thing, I heard that Henry Williams 1 was buried in his own cemetery on his land. true or not? Is Matty with him? any grave pics, anyone?? Hugs to distant cousins, 'cuz I figure we are, but I'm just not sure of the degree!!! gloria ________________________________________________________________ The best thing to hit the Internet in years - Juno SpeedBand! Surf the Web up to FIVE TIMES FASTER! Only $14.95/ month - visit www.juno.com to sign up today!