This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: beket1 Surnames: Downing Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/surnames.downing/1141.1.1.2/mb.ashx Message Board Post: I am researching the Downings of Calhoun County, Alabama, of which Jesse B Downing was a member. His father is unknown, and Jesse was probably illegitimate. He was born 1848 died 1918 (I think those are the right dates)-- all in Texas. He had several sons: James W, William J, Jacob, Dargan Nathanial, Edgar, (and supposedly another son, Arthur Adams Downing, for whom I've found no evidence). Unfortunately, with the exception of Dargan Nathanial Downing, his sons just disappear from the records. I suspect they went to other states which don't make their records as readily available online. Dargan Nathanial Downing doesn't appear to have had any children. His wife was previously married and already had at least 3 children. The male Downing lines either stayed in Alabama after the Civil War or went to Texas. To my knowledge, none of the family went to the MidWest. The name Israel doesn't show up in this family between 1800 and the early 1900s. Before that, the family was in the Carolinas and probably originated from Ireland. Anna 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.