Hello Group- It has been a while since I have posted my query. Today I received the Death Certificates on John James HODGES (1871 AL - 1955 MS) married to Hannah DOBSON (1870 - 1972). Needless to say I was depressed to find only one parent on John's death certificate, and none listed on his wife's. John James HODGES' father was listed as (Unknown) HODGES, and his mother's maiden name is ELIZA MESSER. Has anyone heard of Eliza MESSER? I had a suggestion that my John HODGES might be a descendant of Fleming HODGES, or a descendant of the Lawrence Co, Alabama HODGES. Question: If a death certificate from 1955 states that the father's first name was unknown does that mean that the mother and the father might not have been married? Any suggestions appreciated. Thank you. I have looked everywhere, and there are hundreds of John HODGES listed in the 1870 census in Alabama. DeeDee Baton Rouge, LA