Thanks everyone! Here is my story, and below is some info I found on "John Kelly's" that may or may not be mine. But may be yours. My Great Grandfather's name is John Louis Kelly b. 4/4/1876 d. 4/29/1949. My Grandmothers birth record says her father was born in Knoxville, TN. His Marriage License says his parents are J.M. Kelly and Elizabeth Duncan (guessing that they would have married in 1870s and that they were born around 1850s). He told my grandmother that he was named after his father. And his wife thought so too, because she put on the death certificate that his father was John L. Kelly (all from TN). Here is a bigger problem....John Louis Kelly ran away at the age of 14 and never contacted his family again, Story is...His Parents owned large Plantation (can't find it.) Mother wore "fancy dresses" and went to lots of party's. She had servants care for the children. Only thing Grandmother remembers is that he had a sister named Mae (or May) and she is the only sibling that he mentioned throughout his life. He didn't like talking about his childhood and didn't offer any information. I sent away for Social Security Application for a John Kelly b. 4/4/1879 and got a John Wesley Kelley's App. It states his parents as Jonathan Kelly and Anna Belle Baskins and that he was born in Lauderdale Co. Ala. He applied for Social Security number in Waynesboro, Tenn. I found an obit (dated Feb. 1, 1923) for John L Kelly age 64 in Chattanooga buried in Mt Olivets Catholic Cemetery and the dates seem right but it states that he was in the plumbing business. The obit didn't give the wife's name but I called the Cemetery and they told me his wife's name was Lila (sp?) and she is buried with him. And this John L. Kelly had daughter named Margaret. (really thought this could be the one, but the occupation is way off). I have the book "Hamilton County Pioneers" by John Wilson and it talks about the John Kelly's and Kelly's ferry. Another possibility, but doesn't mention a John Kelly born about 1850s. Hope this helps someone! Patti