Yes, Allan, We have found Alva in 1850 Broome Co. NY census and in Cerro Gordo Co., Iowa census 1860--1870--1880. (Alva was born about 1808-1810 Delaware Co., NY., depending on the researcher.) There was an Alva L. in the Militia Rollcall of 1834 in Stamford, NY; also in town at that time was a Nehemiah and a William W. Whitney, for whatever that is worth. There was an Alva L. as a blacksmith in Binghamton, NY, no year given, and when he married in 1830 he was a blacksmith in Harpersfield, NY. In Iowa he was a farmer and he was in Iowa by 1859 as he had a child who married that year in Cerro Gordo Co. His wife died in 1883. Another clue I tried investigating was the name Delos; Alva named a son Delos who was born in 1836 in NY. Any "clue" is worth a try! If I ever do find my fellow's heritage, I shall come a shouting "whoopee" in capital letters! Thanks for trying to help, Shirley