lolasrosebud on Family Tree Circles

I have been looking for Hiram Henry Smith for the last 45 years. He was born in Chautauqua New York 1806. Ended up dying in 1872 in Sonoma Co. California. I know that he came across the O/C trail in 1862 with his wife, children and extended family. I have a few ideas of origin such as his family may have been Tories or worse a deserted Hessian during the Rev. War. Could also be native american/afro mix. Has to be some reason for the "secret" of his parents and siblings.

Also interested in the following families: CASH, CARD, CASE. Some of these families go way back. My main interest is in finding out how and why these families' all moved over time west through the Great Lakes, on to Michigan, Nebraska, Oregon/California, and why their relationship to my Smith. I am making family timelines, and see that there is a lot of intermarriage and traveling together, so perhaps those of you who are in these other family can help me out.

Also looking for my bio father. All I know is name: Robert Albert Emerson, born in Colorado probably about 1916, and married to my mother Lola Beckert in Reno, Nev. 1933/34. Do I have any family amoung you?