So I just discovered the courthouse in Pemiscot Co burned in 1883. Between that and no 1900 census, I'm having a heck of a time trying to trace my family.

My question for you is... what do you use to find family prior to 1885? My gg-gf was born in Steele MO in 1885, and I believe living with an aunt and uncle by 1900. I've gotten his ss5, and it does have names for his parents, who I can find zero records for. Since there *ARE* no records before the courthouse burned, how do I search for these people? They weren't the kind of family to make it into the biography or history books... although, that doesn't stop me from looking.

I know nothing about them, except a possible name. And not sure how to find them... if there is even a way....