This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/an/IMi.2ACEB/1128.1.1 Message Board Post: Ah, the joy of the internet! Between visits to Ancestry.com, Familysearch.com, and Genealogy.com, I have pieced together part of the history of the Heltons in AL. I'm not sure I can prove all pieces of this at this point--I will have to wait till I get back to the B'ham Library for some of it. Anyway, here's what I have figured out: Joseph Helton (born Ireland or GA) and Martha "Mattie" Unknown (born GA about 1788) were married in GA before 1822. They had at least four, maybe five or more children in GA before moving to AL. The children were Allen, born about 1822, Elizabeth, born 1826, John H., born about 1831, and and unknown female (who married George Pulliam). They may also have had Henry, born about 1840. Joseph was probably dead before 1847. Between 1842 and 1847 most of the family, including the elder Mattie, moved to AL. I haven't found them all yet in the 1850 Census, but Elizabeth was married to Blakely Eddins on Feb. 7, 1847 in Tallapoosa County; and Allen had married Martha Hardy on March 17, 1849, also in Tallapoosa County. The Heltons continued to live near each other until the 1870's. In 1860 there is a mystery. Elizabeth is living with Blakely Eddins on the East Side Cahaba River area. No problems there. But there are TWO listings for both John H. and Allen Helton! 1. In the 1860 Census Allen is 38, living in the household of E. M. Farrington in the East Side Cahaba River District. Born GA. Wife Martha, 35, born GA, son Joseph. 18, born GA, and daughter Martha, 12, born AL. He is a day laborer, $50, can’t read or write. 2. In the 1860 Census for AL, Allen is ALSO listed under Clinton Corley, in Randolph P.O., East Side Cahaba River. 36, born SC, farmer, wife Martha, 33, born SC, son Jack, 17, born SC, daughter Martha, 10, born AL. Also, John H. Helton, 27, farmer, wife Emily, 31, born SC, daughter Ann, 3, born AL, and Mother Martha, 70, born SC. 3. There is also a J. H. Helton living next door to Blakely Eddins with the same name, wife Emily, and child’s name (A. Sarah). These censuses were recorded on different days--how to explain the mystery? TO CONTINUE IN 1860: In 1860 Eliza has married John Hardy (a cousin or brother to Martha Hardy, who married Allen??) and lives next door to Blakely and has even named a child after Blakely. IN 1870: JOHN is listed in Colbert County at 39, $150, b. GA, wife (Emily) Harwell, 33, born AL, daughters Sarah, 13, Mary, 7, and Elizabeth, 3. ALLEN is 47, b. GA, blind, male citizen, living with wife Martha, 42, and daughter Martha, 21, born AL. ELIZABETH is 47 In the 1870 US Census for AL. Keeping house. Cannot read or write. Living with Blakely and children Sarah A, 17, James B., 15, Eliza E., 13, Rebecca, 10, John H., 6, Mary A., 4, and Lourena, 1. ELIZA lived in Randolph in Bibb County. Also living in household is John, 13, born AL, a shinglecutter, Blakely, born AL, Nancy, born AL, William, born AL, Mary, 2, born AL, and Martha Hesdin (Helton), 70, born GA, can’t read or write. IN 1880: ELIZABETH is 52, living with Blakely, son John 15, Mary Alice, 14, Louina 10, and Mattie Helton, 92, the mother-in-law. ALLEN is is widowed, 56, laborer, born GA, father born GA, mother born GA, living with daughter Martha, 30, born AL, father born GA, mother born GA, keeping house. Also living there is his brother-in-law George Pulliam, 60, a laborer, widowed, born AL, father’s BP AL, mother’s BP AL. ELIZA may be dead or remarried--haven't found her yet. JOHN has moved away, eventually to Texas. So, Mattie has moved from her birth around 1788 in GA to marriage in GA to moving to AL between 1842 & 1847, and living with Allen in 1860, Eliza in 1870, and Elizabeth in 1880. My, the Censuses tell us a lot! I'm hoping other folks can fill in the blanks. Looking forward to some responses!