Dear Marcia, Thank you for responding. When reading your information I was hoping your Peter was a connection, but I don't see one. I have been unable to find any solid information as to where Peter and Phoebe Smith came from. There is a marriage record in Harrison Co. WV for a Peter Smith and Phoebe Thorne (4 Oct 1813) but haven't been able to confirm this is my Peter. I found Peter and Phoebe Smith on the marriage record of their son, Martin J. Smith to Margaret Talbott/Tolbott on 20 April 1841 in Lewis Co., VA/WV. Martin/Margaret had 7 children, all born in Lewis Co.: Ellis Lee, Salathiel T.(isn't that a great name!!), Clinton M., Margaret S., Sarah A., Olive A., and George C. Smith. Our line comes down through Ellis Lee Smith. Ellis Lee Smith was born in 1843, Lewis Co. VA/WV and on 1 Aug 1865 married Matilda Frances Hudson. Ellis/Matilda had 11 children all in Lewis Co.: Clarence L., Flavilla F. (another great name!), Margaret, Jacob, Roscoe, Washington H., Ellis Lee Jr., Grace, Este, Myrtle, and Hugh Smith. Our line comes down through Hugh, the youngest child. Hugh Smith was born 2 July 1881, Lewis Co. WV and on 24 April 1910 married Lillie Alta Waren. Hugh Smith died 3 December 1941. Hugh/Alta had 5 children: Howard Clarence, Harvey, Agnes, Agrabelle, and Mary Jane. Our line is Howard Clarence Smith. Howard Clarence Smith was born 18 August 1912 and on 3 Feb 1934 married Harriet Pauline Somerville. Howard and Pauline Smith are my husband's parents. I agree, trying to trace a name like SMITH is not easy. Oral family history is extremely helpful. Most of my info came from census records for Lewis Co. and courthouse records in Weston WV. I was lucky this family stayed in one area for such a long period of time, otherwise they may have been to difficult to track. Thanks again for writing and good luck in your future root diging. Myrt Smith Woodbridge, VA MSmith2313@aol.com