This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: Smith Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/an/0V.2ADE/2339 Message Board Post: I posted a question re: James Elias about two years ago. I haven’t had a whole lot of luck since then, but I do have some new information. James Elias Smith was born January 25, 1875 in Arkansas. The 1920 Census says his parents were born in the United States but give no additional information. According to the Little Rock, AR city directories, he was a pressman for the Arkansas Democrat from 1893-1898. During this time, he lived with Caroline M. Smith, widow of August E or Augustus Smith, but I do not if they were related or how they were related. The address was 801 Victory. I can’t find a Caroline Smith in the city in 1900, and there are several 25 year old James Smith’s in Arkansas at the time. He’s sometimes listed as James E. Smith, James Elias Smith, and J. E. Smith. I’ve also looked into August E. Smith, but cannot conclusively find him or Caroline. James E. Smith was married by 1918 according to his WWI draft registration card. His wife is listed as Bessie Smith. In the 1920 census, Bess Smith is listed as being 22 years old. She had three children, J. E. Smith, Jr. (James Everett Smith), Clara N. (Clara Nell Smith), and Mabel Irene. All were under the age of 3. They lived in Little Rock, Pulaski County, AR. The children were all born in Arkansas. Bess is listed as being born in Arkansas. According to the 1920 census, her parents were born in Kentucky and Tennessee. According to the 1930 census in El Paso, TX where she worked as a servant in Earl Barron’s house, her parents were born in Kentucky and Missouri. At some point between 1925-1930, James Elias Smith left the family. It is unsure whether he died or simply did not come home. There was a rumor he went up the Ohio River. The 1930 census shows Bess as a widow, but that could have been a default answer since there was no information about James Elias’ whereabouts. My father has tried to help me piece together this research, but his memories of his grandmother were from her later years and he does not know what her maiden name was. He says she had a darker complexion because she was part Indian. She had one arm and one leg because when she was younger she lost them to blood poisoning. If anyone could help me with furthering my research, I would really appreciate it. Wayne Thomas has already been a great help in finding Bess and her children in El Paso, TX. My father didn’t remember his father being in a children’s home until I mentioned it to him. Though I have no plans to publish my information, I have no problem crediting those who help me. Any information published on rootsweb or ancestry.com (or any other only genealogy sites) will be credited to the individuals that help me find it. Sincerely, Jamie Smith