Good morning, Joyce The Lyell surname has intrigued us as well but to no avail. We have much of the family back to 1700 and there are no Lyell ancesters. There are some Lyalls and I have conjectured that this may be a mispelling. The only two instances are this John Lyell (b. Scotland 1856) and his brother named a son John Lyell (b. Liverpool 1885). Regards, John -- -- John Middleton, Leawood, Kansas, TVFHS #4418 Middleton, SCT>Liverpool, Eng>Chicago, IL, 1700-1920; Neely, IRL>PA, 1759-1900; Chid(d)ester, WV>OH, 1800-1900; Som(m)erville, Grasmere, Eng, 1700-1850 Web Page: http://www.planetkc.com/jmcpa