Sometime after 1854 my gr. grandfather disappeared. Without a trace. Along with him we lost track of most of his family. His name was Samuel Dixon, bn. about 1814 in VA. Samuel Dixon md. Delilah Figley 3 Jan 1839 in Harrison Co, OH. They had the following children Albert, Joseph. William, Elizabeth , Adam, John, Samuel and Thomas bn. 7/6/1854. All of their children were apparently born in OH with the possible exception of Albert and Thomas. Albert is reported in the 1850 Census as born in VA. (Is it now WV?) Where? Who knows? I don't and have found no record of a Samuel that even looked promising from Va. Since he so mysteriously disappeared about the time of his youngest son's birth - also reported as happening in VA, I have wondered about epidemics in the area during that time frame. Is there a record (other than the one listed at: <A HREF="http://people.delphi.com/pamyates/epidemic.htm">Epidemics</A> or http://people.delphi.com/pamyates/epidemic.htm ) that specifically lists the epidemics of Monroe, Harrison, Meigs and Washington Cos. OH or in WV or VA during this time frame? Since we have been unable to find a grave, or other record for him after his son's birth, this seems possible or even likely. We have the 1850 Census records of him and his family, but can find nothing in 1860. By 1870, his wife was living with her brother Robert Figley and his wife Canzayda Woodyard Figley in Meigs Co. His youngest son (at 16) was living with the Clines in Monroe Co. After the 1870 Census, even the Figley family disappears along with Delilah. However we have traced some of that family to the OK/MO area in later years - but no trace of Samuel. If you have any ideas or suggestions, Please, please help! We are desparate for some kind of information that will help us to break down this obstinate brick wall. Maryann Dixon Moseby Proud Rootsweb Sponsor and M c E l r o y Listowner [email protected] for M c E l r o y [email protected] for General e-mail AOL Instant Messenger: Dixlan2 ICQ: 1631995