This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: Richard_Owens Surnames: Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/surnames.evans/9759/mb.ashx Message Board Post: Mary Ellen Evans, my great grandmother, was born 14 Mar 1860 in Prospect, New York (according to her death certificate), and died 25 May 1952 in Rome, New York. She married William J. Owens on 26 March 1879 in Floyd, New York According to the Town of Floyd registrar, Mary Ellen's birthplace was listed as Utica when one child was born, Trenton when another was born, and Steuben when two others were born. So, where was she really born?? To complicate things, according to a cousin, she remembers being told (but doesn't remember who told her) that Evans is not Mary Ellen's maiden name. Rather it is her grandparent's name. The story goes that Mary Ellen's parents left her with her grandparents at a very early age. Mary Ellen then took her grandparents name as her own. Evans is too common of a name to pick them out of the census records with certainty. My Evans Family is my genealogical "brick wall". I know little beyond Mary Ellen Evans. Her parents are listed as "unknown" on her death certificate. I can tell you that I have a scrap of paper (in Mary Ellen's handwriting according to my mother) that lists J. Evans Jan. 11, 1872 and Esther October 18, 1866. I believe these to be death dates as my other great grandparents and death dates (both verified) were also listed on this paper. I believe J. and Esther to be her parents, but can't verify it. I have a marriage notice stating that Mary Ellen is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Evans. I have another slip of paper reported written by Mary Ellen that states, "Dear Brother Edward died 20 of March, funeral Monday 23, 1910 (or 1916, handwriting is not clear). I have no idea where he died. I also have an Evans family Bible with the following John Evans born 2/11/1828; W. Hugh born 3/25/1830; Hannah born 6/20/1835; Daniel born 12/17/1845; and Harriet born 8/25/1853 I have no idea if these are Mary Ellen's siblings, where they were born or where they lived. Her obituary did state that she was survived by several nieces and nephews which would seem to indicate that she at least had siblings whether living or not when she died. I know that the obituary phrase "several nieces and nephews" tends to be a catch all and may not be accurate. My mother thinks John's father was William. A photograph supposedly of William was found. On the bottom, it mentions the photographer - S. (Stanley) Johnson of Waupun, Wisconsin. We can assume that William lived in the Waupun area at one time as professional photos usually aren't taken while traveling. Waupun was in both Dodge and Fond du Lac Counties. A photograph supposedly of William's wife was also found. On the bottom, it mentions Scofield Photography. Address of 25 & 27 Columbia St., Utica, N.Y. If any of this info, or these names and dates rings a bell, please let me know. Thank you! 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.