>Check the census to see if your ancestor owned land. I found an ancestor >owning land in 1870, sent to the Tarrant County Historical Commission and got >back lots of good info with several clues. All they ask for is a donation >which I gladly sent. Joan in Lowell, Ma Joan, This is a great idea. AND I do have a couple of ancestors owning land in the 1850-1880 time period. Thanks! Jean