John, as you've probably discovered, one of the many problems with Elam research is that there were so many named "John Elam." My father's name was "John Elam." You included the word "likely" after the two John Elam's you have in your line, and that appears to be the most applicable term! Below is a brief synopsis of my understanding of "the John Elam problem." Some of the details are confusing, and I welcome corrections - with proof. Martin Elam had a son named John. It appears likely that he is the John Elam who married, as his second wife, Martha Archer Dudley. They had no known children. There is no proof of his first marriage. If he did have a first marriage, it appears likely that he may have had a son named Samuel and a son named John. It appears likely that that John Elam may have been the John Elam who married Femariah Beville. Of the second John Elam, if he was the son of the first, only one child is definitely known and his name was Essex Elam. If John Elam, father of Essex Elam, was the son of the first John Elam, then he could not, based on the dates, have fathered any of the other Elams who have been attributed to him in various postings on this and other lists and web sites. If either of these "John Elam's" left a will, those wills have not yet come to light. If there is a Bible records showing births, or descendants of these two men, that has not yet come to light. I would be overjoyed if someone would step forward and demonstrate the John Elam lineage during the 1700's, with proof. It might be you - for I believe that the proofs we need are out there somewhere. Can you tell me the source of your belief that Joel Elam was the son of John Elam? I would really appreciate it. Thanks in advance, Annette Elam Wetzel On Mon, 15 Feb 1999 01:24:24 EST Johnelam@aol.com writes: >My line: > Thomas Elam (educated guess) > Martin Elam (1635-1695) > John Elam (Abt. 1688-1761) likely > John Elam Jr. (Abt. 1710-1788) likely > Joel Elam (1736-1798) > Peter Elam (1767-1842) > Daniel Elam (1795-1864) > John Gregory Elam (1826-1914) > Richard Andrew Elam (1863-1943) > George Baskerville Elam (1896-1975) > George Baskerville Elam, Jr. (1920-1968) > Johnny Baskerville Elam (1941- ) Me > >Hope this helps someone. >John > > ___________________________________________________________________ You don't need to buy Internet access to use free Internet e-mail. Get completely free e-mail from Juno at http://www.juno.com/getjuno.html or call Juno at (800) 654-JUNO [654-5866]