This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: BEDTHIJA, SMITH Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/lg.2ADE/1239 Message Board Post: I am looking for info on my GGF. I have a Death Certificate and an online 1900 Brouilletts Creek Tp Census. The DC gives his name-CHARLES BEDTHIJA SMITH, BD-Oct.12, 1870, DD-May 9, 1944, Buried-Mt. Carmel-May 12, 1944-Edgar Co, BP-Indiana, Occupation-Carpenter & Painter, Father & Mother-unknown. The Census list last name-BEDTHIJA, Charles-head,BD-Oct 1873,BP-Indiana,FBP-Germany,MBP-Ohio. Minnie,wife,BD-Mar 1875,BP-Illinois,FBP-Illinois,MBP-Illinois. Ross,son,BD-Feb 1893. Jack,son,BD-Feb 1897,Jeta,daughter,BD-Jan 1899. (I believe that Jeta is a typo and should be Zeta.) We have always assumed they were SMITHS until I found the Census info and these stories. My aunt told me that she remembers her mother, my grandmother, Zeta telling her that the mailman was confused over the names that he was delivering and when they explained to the mail man he said "Just change your name." My sister remembers my grandmother, Zeta, telling about her grandfather coming from Germany and cou! ldn't speak english married a Native American and had children. His wife died and he returned to Germany that is why she didn't know much about Charles' father, the one from Germany. Any help with this name or families will be wonderful.