This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: RBestrom7380 Surnames: Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.northam.usa.states.washington.counties.spokane/5753.2/mb.ashx Message Board Post: Carolyn, Based on the information posted in this query and your other postings, it strongly appears you know what you are doing. First, You probably have this, but for the other poster, why it makes sense the information in the 1910 census showed it was the first marriage for both: 1900 Census for Pottsville, Schuylkill County, PA Kate Berger, born Sept 1868 in PA, Single, mother of 2/both living Jennie, born Feb 1890 Lilly, born Feb 1846 Chas E. Welker, boarder, Feb 1846. Your posting indicates you are looking for Edward L. Sweeney. Based on the 1930 Census data and marriage records, he was born about 1901/1902. The image of the marriage record shows him as Edward L, except in his own signature. It looks like a "C" then an attempt to change it to an "L". Somewhat interesting to me. Also interesting is the age difference. His age of 28 in the 1930 census and on the marriage certificate; but, the 1910 and 1920 census shows an Edward "C" was born about 1905/1906. Because you have identified both 1930 census enumerations on this person, it also appears you have access to Ancestry.com. Because of that, here is the link to the family tree information posted by the other person: http://trees.ancestry.com/tree/223524/person/-2107368549?ssrc= You may have already seen this information. The tree lacks a lot of information, so this person probably doesn't have much. This tree did not contain information from the 1930 census. The tree identified this Edward died in Portland, Oregon, no further information. The tree owner has not logged on for six months, and had only posted four queries. One, in 2005, sought information on a sister of Edward. The additional information on the siblings identifies: sister Mary Sweeney, died 10 Dec 1992 in Schuylkill Co. No spouse identified sister Helen Welker, married a William Bennethum and had numerous children. www.zabasearch.com does show this last name in PA, with some "older" persons identified. This would probably be a last ditch effort, but someone might know about "uncle Edward"; but I again call it a last ditch effort. This tree identifies father Charles Sweeney died 7 March 1913, mother Catherine Berger died 12 June 1941 in Pottsville, Schuylkill Co. Suggested leads: Since your post only reflects the 1930 time-frame in Spokane, I don't know what additional information you have or tried. --Obtain obits on the parents and family members. Probably fruitless, but maybe. --His military record "might" be available at the National Archives: http://www.archives.gov/veterans/military-service-records/get-service-records.html But, unless he continued in the military after the 1930 time-frame, there might not be much. Also, all of the records destroyed in the fire of 1973: http://www.archives.gov/st-louis/military-personnel/fire-1973.html --With as common of a name as he had, that makes research even more difficult. "IF" he did die in Oregon, the family tree poster did not identify a year. If he died in the past 50 years, Oregon privacy laws prevent obtaining documents. The Social Security Death Index has thousands of persons not identified that died in the 1950's and 1960's. Running NO NAME in 1964 identifies only 5 names of people dying that year. His wife's death indicates they were separated, so not legally divorced. A divorce record "could" have identified where he was living at the time. For Portland, I would suggest the Random Acts of Genealogical Kindness for Multnomah County (Portland is in three, but Multnomah is the main area): http://www.raogk.org/oregon3.htm READ the guidelines first. I'd suggest public records lookups. The only problem, you don't have a year of death; or even certainty he even died in Oregon. A researcher could check the Polk City Directories just to identify any one having the name of Edward C, or L, Sweeney. But, again, the common name. Cemetery transcriptions. I did check www.findagrave.com and also those buried in National Cemeteries (VA listing), without success. Most cemeteries are not transcribed, those that are have missed graves, unreadible or missing stones, or even database typo's. Unless you KNOW where someone was buried based on records, it is worthless to look. The first thing you need to do is learn (or post) his date of birth. Obtain his birth records to determine his real middle name. Since his father was Charles, I could see the "C" being accurate; but he may have changed it since his father died in 1913. Ron Bestrom Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board.