Sarah, you might try searching the online registry of Vances at http://homepages.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~vfarch, there are thousands of Vances indexed there although I didn't see your line of Petersons.

If that doesn't work, you could post a query on the Vance surname forum here on Ancestry.com, or write to the Vance Family Association (http://www.vancefamilyassociation.org).

We know quite a bit about the medieval de Vaux and the Vance surname's descent from them, but it sounds like your question is more related to Vances from the 1800's. It's not my line of Vances so I don't have direct knowledge of them, but if those suggestions don't pan out for you if you write me directly with details I might be able to offer up other ideas.

Good luck in any case!

Dave Vance