Dear Helen: If this couple was married in Wisconsin (your query doesn't state), there should be a marriage certificate on file for them. It was state law beginning in the 1850s, I believe, that all marriages be recorded. Many LDS Family History Centers have a microfiche of all the marriage records for the state of WI. I would check with your local church to see if they have one. >From their marriage certificate, you might be able to obtain parents names for both John and Laura. Debbie Barrett http://www.rootsweb.com/~wipierce/ http://www.rootsweb.com/~nywashin/