Jeanne, Have you tried the 1910 census to see if Sallie is a widow then too? VA stopped keeping vital records between 1896 and 1912 so it's possible that your John Smith died during that time frame if they don't have any record of his death. You might also try posting to the new SMITH-VA list at rootsweb.com. Good luck. Edith In a message dated 5/28/01 11:54:04 AM, chuckkid@concentric.net writes: << Virginia. John Graham Smith died before 1920 as Sallie D. is listed as a widow in the 1920 Census of South Hill, Mecklenburg, Virginia. Sallie D. died in the 1950's in Richmond. If anyone has any suggestions (besides looking at the 1880 census which I am going to do) as to how I might get information on these people I would really appreciate it. I have written to the State of Virginia Vital Records only to be told that the records were too young to be released. I was able to get a copy of the marriage record of John G. Smith & Sallie D. Johnson, and they couldn't find any record of John G. Smith's death. >>