This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/DkB.2ACI/874.1 Message Board Post: If your people were still living in 1880 [ a lot of persons born c. 1850 would certainly be living], you could do a FREE census search of the 1880 census on www.familysearch.org Look for the words *vast collections* on the opening page. Then when a LONG list of these collections come up, scroll down to Census. There will be a choice of several censuses, only one, I recollect, of a US census--the 1880 census. If you find people with your surname (in a long list, we hope), then look at the top for *Household* Click on that. You are supposed to get a free look at the actual census image on Ancestry.com, but whenever I try that, it seems I have to sign up. DON'T DO THAT--you may end up with a bill for about $200 a year. Instead, if you are near an LDS center, call them up and ask the hours they are open and whether they have a subscription to Ancestry.com If they do, try to go to the LDS center and find other censuses for your folks. Good luck!!! E.W.Wallace