Parents of James T. Lewis 1735 Wales, we know by legend his father named as Nathaniel Lewis born about 1710 to 1714 in Ireland. Nathaniel married a girl named Elvira Helton, born about 1715 Ireland, and she died in 1737 Wales when James T. was only 2 years old. Nathaniel and Elvira both reported born in Ireland, but from Welsh born parents (unnamed by Research) who had migrated to find work then both children were born in Ireland. Our research into year 2008 has not identified the names of their parents. Why? Lack of written records. Research proves of those years, unless you owned land, there is no written record of you or that you existed. When records of James T. Lewis himself were found by descents and then handed down to descents, the bundle of data burned in two fires in Hyden, KY in the 1970s, only those who had read the writings dictated what was said. James T. Lewis 1735-1825 indicated the name of his father and mother, and knew he had arrived in America between ages 8 and 9. James T. told many things to his children from two wives. We LEWIS researchers found several ship records of 1743 to 1746 with the names of Nathaniel Lewis, but none of them with child James listed. Nathaniel Lewis. We Lewis Genealogists also found that a Gideon Lewis was born in 1748 in Virginia but cannot find the name of his mother whom Nathaniel married and helped raise young James T. Lewis in early Virginia Coastal plains. There are other Gideon Lewis and this has caused much bad information, about the North American Colonial born, half brother to James T. Lewis. Many are still looking for names of Nathaniel & Elvira's parents. James T. Lewis & first wife he identified as Ms. Griffon / Griffen, (ubproved as of 2008) named their first child, a girl in 1770 NC ELVIRA LEWIS who married William Shepherd b.1770. The second child was JAMES LEWIS II - 1771NC-1865KY my direct ancestor. JAMES & ELVIRA are brother and sister, same Mother Another child was born in 1772 they named Gideon who died in 1799 in North Carolina, and is the reason he is not named on the death records of James T. Lewis in 1825 Perry County, KY (USA). Queries over the Internet email to ask about Nathaniel Lewis & Elvira Helton as parents or about their parents is a quest of frustration as this is still a secret. According to James T. Lewis and his children who left any Bible Records they related that when Nathaniel & Elvira married they did just the opposite of their own parents, and returned to Wales, to find work. Elvira died, and Lewis family in London, England, asssisted Nathaniel with young James, to get passage to the Colonies in 1740’s to Virginia ports. I and every Lewis researcher is still looking for Elvira Helton Lewis gravesite in Wales, again frustration. In year 2000 at least Three LEWIS family members were over there as tourists looking for clues. Others have visited through the years, and no one has uncovered anything, except the parents and family of Roderick McIntosh 1775-1879 Leslie County, KY. On various Internet sites, there are those that make claims about Nathaniel Lewis, and some linked to our Nathaniel. Among the very few DNA projects in the USA is only a few men from Kentucky roots of LEWIS. In year 2008, no DNA matches exist to determine JAMES T. LEWIS 1735 Wales-1825 KY to any specific person of WALES or IRELAND. Additionally, the current DNA testing of descents of ABNER LEWIS early Pioneer in Harlan County, KY, or of a WILSON Lewis Pioneer of Harlan Co. JOHN in CA **************Gas prices getting you down? Search AOL Autos for fuel-efficient used cars. (http://autos.aol.com/used?ncid=aolaut00050000000007)