Just an update on my search for the ever elusive William D. Whitney and wife Amelia French: still nothing more found. William was born 1821 in Ohio according to census records. 1880 Census shows that his father was from Mass. and mother from Ohio. Indication that he might be a John and Elinor descendent if this is correct. The first record of him is his marriage to Emily (Amelia) French in Athens County, Ohio April 1, 1841. There is a Whitney family in neighboring Washington County with a William but it is not the same person. No Whitney families found in other surrounding counties or in Athens Co. In 1850 he is in Van Wert County, OH living in the same household at Sarah ? Brees Cline and her children. She lost two husbands in one year. He and Amelia have had at 3 children by then: John, Miriam and Henry. No relationship to Sarah Cline has been determined. Also in household was Sarah French age 16 (sister to Amelia?). William and Amelia move sometime between 1850 and 1860 to Logan County Ohio. Census record indicate the children are John, Henry, Charles, Mathew, and David. In 1870 the family is in St. Louis County, MO. Children are John, Henry, Martha, David, Sarah and James. (Martha's birth year shows that she should have been on the census in 1860 - not found) William and Amelia are found in Fayette County, IL in 1880 living in the household are Sarah, James and granddaughter Levina, age 6 (parents unknown possibly John's). Sarah's first marriage records indicated she was born in Athens County, OH. So there are still possible ties to Athens County after 1841. In 1900 Amelia is living with Sarah's family in Madison County, IL as a widow. Census indicates she is the mother of 9 with 4 living. (Henry, David and Sarah are known to be living. Fourth unknown possibly James -John has not been found on 1880 or 1900 census). Sarah's death certificate in 1941 says that her parents where William D. Whitney and Nancy C. Whitney - Information given by her daughter Josie, who had lived with grandmother. Amelia had several variations on the spelling of her name Emily in 1841. Amelia in 1850, 1860 and 1900, Emilie in 1870, and Emealia in 1880 - never Nancy. County researchers have not found any deaths for William or Amelia in the known counties where they lived, or children were living, in Illinois. No records have been found of William and Amelia before 1841 in Ohio. Out of all my family research this one has me stumped. Any little bit of information found has only led to more questions. Still looking, Laurie Whitney Skillern -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. Version: 7.0.323 / Virus Database: 267.6.9 - Release Date: 6/11/2005