In the 1880 Census of Crystal Lake, Algonquin Twp., McHenry Co., Illinois, Joan Best said that Michael Best gave his parents' birth places as Pennsylvania. However, Joan doesn't think it likely that James Best, Michael's father, was born in Pennsylvania. James was baptized in Hunterdon County, New Jersey along with two of his younger siblings. It seems highly improbable that this is accurate information. This also throws into doubt Amy (Bodine) Best's birth place; although, it is more likely that she was born in Pennsylvania. She was born in 1786 and her family is found in Pennsylvania in 1790. They are not on the tax rolls in 1786-1787, but that could be because they did not yet have their own property.