I have newly subscribed to this mailing list and am not sure how it works, but hope that someone will be kind enough to walk me through this. I am not new at research, but not sure how your "help" works. If I am overstepping the use of this list, accept my apologies, and ignore my listing. I am researching one of those many grandfathers.... William Copeland from Franklin Co. VA. and I cannot seem to get back to his parents. Below is a brief outline and would appreciate any help that anyone can give. William Copeland b. 20 Jan 1806 in VA (not sure if it is Franklin Co. VA) d. 31 Mar 1888, buried: Mt. Zion Cem, Saline Co., MO m. 1st Martha Neblett (Niblett) 3 Jul 1827 in Franklin VA They had 4 children: 1. Oliver B. Copeland m. Charity M. Cooper 16 Oct 1848 Franklin Co. VA 2. Martha Copeland m. Franklin Choice, 3 Jan 1848 Franklin Co., VA 3. William N. Copeland 4. Mary J. Copeland m. Jones m. 2nd Elizabeth T. Corn 2 Jan 1844 Patrick Co., VA dau. of Jesse Corn, Jr. and Elizabeth Burnett They had 7 children all born in Franklin Co. VA 1. John Boliver Copeland (1846-1893) 2. Jesse Copeland (1848-?) 3. Robert William Copeland (1850-1940) 4. Charles Oscar Copeland (1852-?) 5. James Sharp Copeland (1854-1935) 6. Elizabeth Baldwin Copeland (1856-?) 7. Nannie V. Copeland (1858-1921) William Copeland and his 2nd wife with children are listed in the 1850 census and they came to Missouri ca 1860. All children came with them except William N. and I have not been able to trace his line. The Copelands lived near Snow Creek apparently, because they attended the Snow Creek Primitive Baptist Church. There is an Archibald Copeland listed in the 1820 census and a male child between age 10 to 16 is shown which would fit my William Copeland. It was handed down in our family that they thought William Copeland was an only child. There is also an Elizabeth Copeland, age 57, living with William Copeland in the 1850 census. If this is his mother she would have been only 12 when he was born....providing census was correct! There were other Copelands in the area (Richard Copeland and Christy Copeland) but have not made a connection. Would appreciate any help to find my William Copeland's parents. Sheila Genser