This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/CBB.2ACE/5177.1.2 Message Board Post: Joyce and Jean, I am only pulling at straws and don't have access to the census records but as Joyce already pointed out Gordon was NOT living with Edward in the 1860 Census and neither was Ellis for that matter. As shown here: 1860 Knox Co. Dwelling 597 MESSER, Edward, 44, KY .Anora, 50, KY (Anna) .Jane, 25, KY .Asa J., 21, KY .Dicia, 18, KY .Allen, 16, KY .Mary, 12, KY .Richard, 10, KY 1870 Knox Co. Dwellinb 90-1-1 Flat Lick MESSER, Edward, 55, farmer, b. KY . Mary , 21, KY (nee SCALF) .l Elihew, 4, KY . Anthony, 1, KY . Richard, 20, KY .Ellis, 13, KY .Gorden, 16, KY * * . Anna, 60, KY (former wife, Anna PATTERSON WALKER MESSER) . Jane, 35, KY .Martha, 2 mo's, KY There was "an" Ellis Messer born in 1854 to Moses Messer Jr. and Sarah Geezeline. Now Moses Jr. died in abt 1863 and Sarah died in 1858 with the birth of her last son. This Ellis COULD be the same one that is living with Edward in 1870. The census records would need to be check to see if he turns up somewhere else. Moses and Sarah also had a son named Thomas that was born about 1851 Could this be G T? As Jean said G T and Celia Baker Messer. Maybe as a Child he went by Thomas then decided to use Gordon. I don't know again the census records would need to be check I don't know what became of Thomas I have NO information on him. Here is the 1860 Census record for Moses Messer though. 1860 Knox Co. Census, # 605 GULDEN, Thomas 56, KY (Thomas Lowe Golden Uncle of Moses) .. Mary An 43, KY (Mary Ann McFarland, Thomas wife) .. Stephen 15, KY (Child of Thomas and Mary) .. Polly 7, KY (Child of Thomas and Mary) .. Mandy 6, KY (Child of Thomas and Mary) .. Mosses 3, KY (Child of Thomas and Mary) .. Winna 16, KY (Child of Moses and Sarah Messer) .. John 14, KY (Child of Moses and Sarah Messer) .. Thomas 9, KY (Child of Moses and Sarah Messer) .. Ellis 6, KY (Child of Moses and Sarah Messer) MESSER, Mosses 36, KY By 1870: Winnie Moses (Child of Moses and Sarah Messer) had married Ebb Gray 1870 Knox Co. Census Gray, Ebenezer, 21, farmer Ky. winny 23, Ky. Henry 2, Ky. James M. 8 mo. , Ky. living in household Gilbert, John 1, Ky. John Messer (Child of Moses and Sarah Messer) Married Julia A Boyd on 11 Jul 1865 Then married Thursa Gray on 1 Mar 1866 (I don't have census info on them) 1860 Knox Co. Dwelling 597 MESSER, Edward, 44, KY .Anora, 50, KY (Anna) .Jane, 25, KY .Asa J., 21, KY .Dicia, 18, KY .Allen, 16, KY .Mary, 12, KY .Richard, 10, KY 1870 Knox Co. Dwellinb 90-1-1 Flat Lick MESSER, Edward, 55, farmer, b. KY . Mary , 21, KY (nee SCALF) .l Elihew, 4, KY . Anthony, 1, KY . Richard, 20, KY .Ellis, 13, KY .Gorden, 16, KY * * . Anna, 60, KY (former wife, Anna PATTERSON WALKER MESSER) . Jane, 35, KY .Martha, 2 mo's, KY Hope I didn't confuse you more, but I really would question where these two boys are children of Edwards without looking into the possibility of them being nephews first. Cassy. foe3643@mac.com