Just got home from work to a slew of messages. Thanks to Annie and Chuck for their help. No need to look for John and Catherine in the 1860. I know John died 1859*** and Catherine and the 4 daughters are listed together in the 1860. Catherine later remarried to Richard Kerr. Could someone double check the mortality schedule for the 1860 and see if it gives John's birthplace? I thought it was Ireland, but on the poor xerox from my cousin it looks like something else. Chuck, are you saying that even if the census taker came in July, the people would have answered for things as they were on June 1??? So John and Catherine (who married June 13) would not be listed together? Actually, my big problem is going backwards. A researcher hired by my cousin a few yrs ago gave us John's father's name as James Shields, and gave us 2 more generations back. BUT I don't think she is right! She did not give proof or the source of the parent's name. I think she picked the wrong John Shields. I think my John was born Ireland, and can't find any source which positively links John Shields to a parent in the US. (Though I haven't looked everywhere!) The most likely one (and the least helpful!) is the John listed in the 1850 as a hotel worker , age 24. I know my John had a brother Laurence Shields who married Harriet Barrett in 1860. He may have been married before. Maybe I need to look at wills for the James Shields who the researcher thinks was our John's father. It is probably his wife Sarah who is listed as a widow in the 1850. Thanks again to all for your help. Janet