Hi Jean, I have not made any progress on the Blackstens in several years. We know that James Blacksten and Elizabeth Raver were married 13 May 1838 in Huron County, Ohio, and they were listed in the 1840 census in Thompson Twp, Seneca County, Ohio. In the 1850, 1860 and 1870 census he said he was born in Maryland. But I have not found anything about him before the 1838 wedding. It looks like they moved from Ohio to Indiana about 1845. Maybe there would be property records in Seneca Co., Ohio around 1838-1845, but I think that could be a long shot. I think DNA testing would be the best chance of finding where he came from, but I don't know of any of the Blackstens who are interested in the family history.

Gail