Michelleh wrote: > I don't recognize any of those names, but my family is from that area. The > HOLLAND, BURNAMAN, and LAYTON families are from that area. Most lived close > to, or around Etoile, Texas. > Holland+AH4-Layton+AH4-Burnaman Page Michelle Holland, My great grandfather, William M. Ballard, came to Texas from Claiborne Parish, LA about 1890. He apparently bought land along the Angelina river and Carrizo Bayou. He sold the land in 1898. In 1900 Angelina Co. census, William, his wife, Elizabeth Boozer, and their to youngest sons, William M. and Houston Ballard, were listed listed in the HH of Marion Courtney. Their daughter Sally Ballard Courtney, her husband Robert and two son were also listed. The younger Wm. M. (1857-1904) married Molly Slay. They had one child, Willie Ballard b. 1904, d. 1978. Willie married John Tarpley Holland in 1931. They lived in Hunnington, across the river from Etoile. My grandfather Houston took me to visit Willie when I was 8-10. I didn't see a BALLARD on your surname list, but does the John Tarpley fit in your HOLLANDs? Vaughn