They were published like that in the Lincoln Herald in the early 1880s. I would guess that since a woman was known as "Mrs. John H. Hawes," they were acknowledging both parents in a small space. Bill Detmers In a message dated 4/24/2005 7:39:47 P.M. Central Standard Time, [email protected] writes: I was reading the Logan County Roots and Branches and noticed something in Eddie's Gleanings. All the children are born to the wife: Son to Mrs. John H. Hawes, son to Mrs. Benjamin F. Shipley, etc. The father's name is clearly there but he is not listed. Does anyone know why that was?