As I understand your post, you are hoping to find Wilhelmine in Grant County prior to her marriage in order to identify her maiden name. Your post doesn't specify when or where Robert and Wilhelmine were married and where their children were born. I find Michael, but don't readily find Robert Schenk in censuses in Wisconsin. I do find this birth index entry which may or may not be for Laura/Lena: Lina Schunk 17 Jan 1857 Milwaukee 0141 000947 [email protected] wrote: I'm trying to find the maiden name of Wilhelmine, wife of Robert Schenk, formerly of Grant County, Wisconsin. She was born ABOUT 1841, died BET 1885 - 1900. Her name on their marriage license is Prawn, but that doesn't match with other items. It's probably another case of the county clerk not understanding the Prussian accent they had. Robert and Wilhelmine had 8 children: Laura (Lena), Robert, Louis, Rose, Josephine, Henry, Joseph, Edward. Also, I'm wondering if there are any descendants of Robert and Wilhelmine out there. Robert's father is Michael of Grant Co. His second wife is Catherine. ========================== Mary Thiele Fobian Genealogical & Historical Research Pacific Grove, California