I started researching my family history, before internet searches were available. To see a census, you had to send away to the state (that hopefully they lived in), pay a small fee, and wait 6 to 8 weeks for a reply. Most of the information I had, I gathered from relatives, and a few old family bibles. It was frustrating.

I had to set my searching away for, what was suppose to be a short while.... but it grew in to years, and years. Well, now I have pulled it back out, and have been slowly trying to get it all organized in my work notebook.

The problem I have with some of my searches, is the fact that they have common names. I definitely have too many ' John's ' in my family tree. In many cases, I have begun to use the name of siblings & children to do my hunting.

I have hit a brick wall on my Mom's side of the family, and could use some help, hints, or tips.

My Mom was born to Grady John Flynn (born 25 Nov 1889 in Cedarview, Desoto Co,MS) & Hazel Maria Kennedy (born 29 Oct 1893 in Mobile, Mobile Co, AL)

I found a few census, listing my grandfather Grady, in Desoto Co. with his family. Here is the information I have come up with.

John William Flinn - born June 1852 - died between 1900 & 1910 - farmer - born in MS/TN ?
he married c1875
Martha 'Mattie' Bell Anderson - born 06 Jun 1856 - died 02 Apr 1928 - born in Independence, MO (Jackson CO ?)
her death certificate shows her father as John Anderson, born MO
and her mothers last name as Scoggins, born TN - Mattie is buried in Olive Branch, MS

Their children were, (as spelled on the census):
Mable N - born c1872
Clara - born c1877
Sidney Robert - born 1879
Catherine I - born 31 May 1881
Hue - born c1884 (I found a registrar's report for a Hugh Long Flinn)
Susie - born c1886
Gradie John - born 25 Nov 1889
Mary - born c1891

The Desoto census's shows Cedarview, Pleasant Hill, and Beat 1
Some of the kids ended up in Shelby Co, TN - maybe this is where the Scoggins family was located?

This is my BRICK WALL!!