Hi Barb, The first census that I found LEWIS BEAN in was 1870 in Lee Township, Shenandoah Cty, Va. But on the Shenandoah Valley site, his marriage to HANNAH SHEETZ is listed as May 18, 1852. And at one point he had bought a property in Mt. Jackson, the Robert Ryman home. It was later sold. I think he bought it before the war, and it was sold for him. But I cannot find him as serving in the war. He would have been the right age to serve, and there were no children born to them throughout the war years, so I assume he went to war, or into hiding<Grin> I found George, his son, and his wife in the 1900 census, but in looking throughout the same county, Ashby, Lewis was not living near. I think it is clear I need to get back into the census and search Virginia from one end to the other. That should occupy most of the next ten years. And when that is done, I'' ll move on to Maryland. Thanks for your help. See you in ten years. LOL!! Carol