Hi again, Just popped into my mind- there were Pearce and Pierce families in Erath County. Check records for a Pearce written by a census taker or clerk's secretary. We were told at Sevier Reunion in Gatlainburg, Tenn. that some politically correct census takers could barely write their own name. They would remember the nameand whittle knotchea on a stick for men, women, and children and his wife or slave or child would write down the name he said and count the notches as he recited the names. If so, his memory was longer than mine on instant recall of new info. Some would change their name one letter because of an embarasing divorce or Indian marriage. or other family fueds. Not all crimes were comitted against those not kin, such as stealing livestock or dividing inherited property. In Arkansas, the marriages licenses were issued but a marriage was not recorded until the circuit riding preacher turned in his "regular" report of marriages he performed, if he lived to get back and report the last group. Take care, Charles Wyly ___________________________________________________________________ You don't need to buy Internet access to use free Internet e-mail. Get completely free e-mail from Juno at http://www.juno.com/getjuno.html or call Juno at (800) 654-JUNO [654-5866]