This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: vlbaggott Surnames: Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.northam.usa.special.secreeks/1282.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.5.1.1.1/mb.ashx Message Board Post: I am from James B Ward & Elizabeth English WARD --> Thomas Jefferson & Holland Purvis WARD --> William Madison & Hester Ann Helen WARD --> Vesta Vitano WARD & Frederick Hiram BAGGOTT --> my Dad --> Me. I have U.S. Census records for James B WARD from 1860 all the way back to 1800 as a 4-year-old in the home of his parents, Nathan F & Elizabeth WARD in Spartanburg County, South Carolina. Both the 1850 and 1860 U.S. Censuses state that James was born in South Carolina. So, my question remains . . . What "church records", "last wills and testaments", "family Bible records", "birth, marriage, and/or death records", or any _other_ "official documents" are in your "family book" (or in your or some other family member's possesion) that PROVE a _different_ parentage for James B WARD? I, too, know who my WARD family was, however, MY family lineage is based upon the aforementioned legal documents (and YES, "church records" and "family Bible records" ARE considered LEGAL DOCUMENTS in a U.S. court of law) as well as, military service records, Bureau of Land Office records, and Bureau of Indian Affairs records held by the National Archives & Records Administration (NARA). I know that James B & Elizabeth WARD had the following grandsons: William Josiah, William Madison, William Jasper, and William Dennis. No William Howard, though. Who was your great-grandfather? Family FABLES are seldom family FACTS. For example, my maternal grandmother always referred to her grandfather as "Colonel" and told me that he was with General Robert Edward Lee at Appomattox Court House. Those were my family FABLES, however, after perusing NARA's digitized Civil War records through FootNote.com, I discovered that my great-great-grandfather never rose above the rank of 2nd Lieutenant AND, just last week, I found his "Parole of Prisoners ... surrendered by Gen. Robert E. Lee, CSA, to Lt. Gen. U.S. Grant ... done at Appomattox Court House, Vriginia, April 9, 1865." So, careful research of original source documents corrected one family fable and confirmed another. All I seek is confirmation. Thank you. Vickey Baggott 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.