I'm back again and still looking for our elusive Nelson A. Bates. We have found the extensive family of his wife, Serepta Bates, and the names of all their children, but still can't find parents for him. What we know to date is as follows: Nelson A. Bates, born 1 March 1831, Jefferson County, NY, died 11 Feb 1893, New Salem, KS, married Serepta R. Parrish 17 June 1852 in Wellington, Lorain County, OH. Serepta was the daughter of Lewis Parrish and Eda Gaylord. Lewis, the son of Cyprian Parrish and Phebe Tyler, was born in Avon, Livingston County, NY. Nelson and Serepta had eight children, born in Ohio and Iowa: Arthur, Frank L., Edgar L., Alice E., Adah A., Darwin, William Pitt and Charlotte (who married George Edward Freeman in Kansas) I have made inquires in Jefferson County, NY and Lorain County, OH, but can't connect Nelson to any Bates family anywhere. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Patti Bates