Leavel/Baldwin Osceola,IA ca 1900
I am apparently a Leavel descendent. (My mother died in 1973, thinking she was a Baldwin.) My grandfather was Ralph Baldwin (married to Irene Murphy, of Middleport, OH), whose father, J.L.Baldwin, was actually a Leavel adopted by the Baldwins. (Ralph later became Fred Lewis, of Indiana.)
I would appreciate information in general on the Leavel family.(Were they Huguenots? What was the European origin?) I'd also like to know more specifics about this branch, and any connection to Knox Co., Ohio, as well as the transition to Osceola, Iowa. (I'm new to genealogy...is there a primary best source anyone has found?)