Dear cousins, John Elam (1806-1875), who married Martha Yancey (1818-1893) on Dec 5, 1835 in Mecklenburg county is my ggg grandfather. This query has two parts, first, I have always been a little suspicious of an earlier marriage because of his age of 29 years old when he married Martha. In marriage records of Mecklenburg county, there are two other John Elams listed as marrying prior to 1835. They are: John G. Elam and Mary J. Overby, Nov 14, 1829 John Elam and Susan M. Hall, Sept 23, 1829 (the minister for this ceremony would be consistent with Bethel Baptist church where John and Martha were married in 1835) Anybody have these aforementioned Elams in their lineage? Second, in marriage records of Mecklenburg county, there is a marriage recorded between John Elam and Polly W. Garner on Oct 23, 1797 (the minister for this ceremony would be consistent with Bethel Baptist church where John and Martha were married in 1835) I believe this John (abt 1767-Jun 26, 1806) to be the son of Edward Elam (abt 1733-abt 1811); this Edward being the brother to Joel Elam of Mecklenburg co. and possible son of John Edward Elam or John Elam, Jr. My point here is that this John could possibly have been the father of my John Elam. I have been trying to either find or eliminate possible candidates for my John's father. Can anyone help me out here. There is actually a fourth marriage of a John Elam (son of Edward Elam Jr., son of Edward Elam) to Elizabeth Elam (daughter of Alexander Elam, son of Joel Elam of Mecklenburg co.) but I am pretty sure I have eliminated him. Why did I have to be related to a John Elam? (ha ha) Couldn't they have been more imaginative with names? Please look over your records, I would like to hear from you even if it is just sympathy. Thanks, Kent Elam PS I am posting this at several sites so you may see it again.