This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: showell4 Surnames: Beasley, Howell, Pilgreen Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/surnames.beasley/2219.1/mb.ashx Message Board Post: I believe your Viola Beasley is my husband's "great-aunt Viola", in which case here's what I've got: Viola's mother, Elizabeth "Lizzie" Beasley, was one of two children (the other named Rachel)born to Penelope Eveline Pilgreen and John Beasley, both of Alabama. They married before the Civil War, had two children, Lizzie and Rachel, and then John Beasley was killed in action (or died as a prisoner of war - I am still working on that). Right after the war, Penelope, who went by Eveline, married Thomas HOWELL in Alabama. They lived in Chilton County and had at least 4 children: Rufus, Victoria, Malinda, & James (I think). They also continued to raise Lizzie and Rachel BEASLEY as well. Then, some peculiar things happened - Lizzie had a baby (who was the father??) in 1878 and Rachel had a baby in 1880, my husband's grandfather, Posey Napoleon HOWELL. Shortly thereafter, the family broke up and basically scattered to the winds. Word is that Thomas HOWELL wasn't a very good p! erson (which makes us wonder why Rachel's baby was named HOWELL and Lizzie's was named BEASLEY. Both possibly born out of wedlock?) Anyway, Posey moved to Mississippi and continued to stay in touch with his half-sister (?) Viola for many many years. At times his mother Rachel and grandmother Eveline lived with him in Mississippi as well. But I know that Rachel went back to be with her family in North Carolina some point after 1920 so maybe she went to live with Viola and Lizzie? Would love to know what you know!! I have some good info on the Beasley family heritage as well.... Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board.