Using the 1820 and 1830 census for Rutherford Co, TN, I have formed the following theories concerning the possibilities for the father of my earliest known ancestor, Toliver Ferguson-b abt 1800 TN. Beginning with the facts known about Toliver-he was born abt 1800 in TN and married Catherine Winters in Rutherford Co, TN in 1821, and he is found on the 1823 petition of moving the Rutherford/Bedford county line. Toliver has a son and grandson named Anderson. Ferguson families found on the 1820 Rutherford Co, TN having male numerations in their h/h whose ages would "match" Toliver are Joel and Shadrack. Both also have a male listed in the category consistant with the possibility of Anderson Ferguson, b 1805 TN being the younger brother of Toliver. The h/h of Joel--two males b 1810-1820, one male b 1804-1810, (Anderson?) one male b 1802-1804, one male b 1794-1802, (Toliver?) one male born 1785-1794, one male born before 1785 (Joel) These older males could be father and grandfather of the younger males, or brother and father of the younger males. The h/h of Shadrack--one male b 1810-1820 one male b 1804-1810 (Anderson?) one male b 1802-1804 two males b 1794-1802 (Toliver?) one male b 1785-1794 (Shadrack) Looking at the 1830 census for Anderson Ferguson of Rutherford Co, TN listed are males consistant with Anderson b 1805, Toliver b 1800, and Toliver's son Mansfield b 1823 (and a female consistent with Catherine, Toliver's wife). Also is a male b 1780-1790 (their father?). Therefore, my first senario is that Joel Ferguson's h/h of 1820 could numerate a grandfather (Joel), father (?), son Toliver and son Anderson (as well as 3 other males). This same h/h listed in 1830 with Anderson Ferguson as the head of household with older brother Toliver and father (?) from the 1820 numeration--grandfather Joel having died. Second senario is that Shadrack Ferguson's h/h of 1820 would include son Toliver, son Anderson, 3 other males and father Shadrack and this same h/h listed in 1830 would include Anderson as the head of household with Toliver, son Mansfield and father Shadrack. The conclusions being that Joel Ferguson could be the father/grandfather of Toliver and Anderson or Shadrack could be their father. As for the relationship of Joel an Shadrack--are they brothers or father and son? I am interested in your comments.......... Sherri <html><div><FONT color=#0000cc><STRONG>Genealogists never die, they just lose their census! <IMG height=19 src="http://graphics.hotmail.com/i.p.emsmilep.gif" width=19></STRONG></FONT></div></html>