Hi Miriam If they lived in Illinois and your Grandmother was from Kentucky, Was there ever any evidence that she returned home to her Family? Did she ever show up on a Census Report in Kentucky? I would check both names as she might of used her maiden name and I think I would check the State not just the Federal Census if they have one. But the Federal 1910 or 1920 Census may show something. She might of been living with a Sister, Brother or her Parents. Also, I am not familiar with the Laws of these two states, but if they divorced did you try getting a copy of the divorce papers? This could tell alot. Did anyone ever say why she left your Father and husband? There is probably two sides to the story. I am assuming that your Father never saw or heard from her and probably only knew what his father told him about what happened. Remember back in that Era many woman were not educated enough to go out and get a full time paying job and would of been unable to provide for a child on their own. Also, there were cases of Mental Abuse and many woman ran away from a bad situation rather than face it. They did not have many rights at that time and were not even permitted to vote. So if she had been afraid of going to Court she might of left thinking she had no choice. I did find my Grandmother and I think the Story had alot more to it than my mother was ever told and that is why I am writing to you and showing Interest in your Story. I too, never knew my Grandmother, But have found out that she was not a Bad person as some tried to make her out. She was a good, Church going woman who had 3 children and no means of support. She left 2 of the children with her mother and tried to make a new life. She took the baby with her. Then my mother would not go with her, when she got settled. The father came and took my mother out of the Grandmother's house and then he disappeared (still don't know what happened to him) and left her with a orphanage and my mother was the woman who grew up feeling neglected, unwanted and Bitter. Pat