Thank you, Cindy! It came through fine the first time. Lucinda Phelps Sheppeard was my g g grandmother (and Almenia/Almenia was their 8th child!); your message is the first firm info on Lucinda's parentage--a real breakthrough for me. I appreciate your forwarding the data AND the sources; when I can get back to serious genealogizing I will surely go to Worldconnect.com. With your help and others', I have rounded up a number of Sheppards/Shepherds who were in Wood Co. WVa at the right time for James William S's birth (21 March 1822) but I have yet to pin down his parents' names. Thanks again. Ann in NC