I just found a great web site for searching land patents (original land purchases from the government) from 1820 thru 1908 in AL, AR, FL, IL, IN, LO, MI, MN, MS, MO, OH, and WI. You can search by name, or by area (find a name then find the neighbors); it's very flexible. It's at: http://www.glorecords.blm.gov/ Walt -- Walter Gilbert =^..^= waltergilbert@erols.com Web pages: http://waltergilbert.web.com Lanham, Maryland =^..^=