Pollee, Thinking the family may have lived in Pulaski Co. in 1860, when James was abt. 5 yrs. old, I checked all the RAINES / RAINS / RAYNES families but didn't find any with a 5 yr. old James. I then checked the 1870 index looking for a RAINES/RAYNES/RAINS in Kanawha county, since that's the county where he married. There is a Benjamin RAINS with a 16 yr. old son, James in 1870 Kanawha Co. 1870 RAINS BENJAMIN 53 M W OH WV KANAWHA LOUDEN TWP Series: M593 Roll: 1690 Page: 179 Benjamin Rains, 53, Farmer, value of real estate: $150, b. OH Elizabeth, 50, b. OH Summers, 18, b. VA, now W. VA James, 16, works in printing office, b. VA, now W. VA Mary, 13, b. VA, now W. VA Readford, 10, b. VA, now W. VA John, 9, b. VA, now W. VA I then went back to the 1860 index looking for Benjamin: RAINS BENJAMIN 40 M W VA VA KANAWHA KANAWHA C H P O Series: M653 Roll: 1356 Page: 165 Benjamin Rains, 40, Laborer, value of real estate: $100, b. VA Elizabeth, 38, b. VA Jane M., 21, b. VA William, 15, b. VA Creed, 13, b. VA Margaret, 12, b. VA Summers, 10, b. VA James A., 6, b. VA Mary A., 4, b. VA Orr (m), 2, b. VA I also checked all other RAINS/RAINES/RAYNES families and this was the only one with a James in the household. Hope this turns out to be the correct family. Marilyn -----------------original message----------------- In a message dated 09/03/03 8:19:58 AM Eastern Daylight Time, Kreapsparrot@aol.com writes: << Hi...I'm looking for James W. or R. Raines/Raynes. Don't know which county. The 1900 Kanawha census says he was born Aug 1855. His marriage record in Putnam 1877 age 23 says he was "from" Pulaski. Any help will be greatly appreciated. Thanks to all of you for your help in the past...Pollee >>