The 1880 census (on FamilySearch) for McNairy County, TN shows: Household: Doc MASSEY Self M Male W 29 VA Farmer (father born ENG) (mother born IRE) Sarah E. MASSEY Wife M Female W 20 TN Keeps House (father born TN) (mother born TN) Mary L. A. MASSEY Dau S Female W 2 TN (father born VA) (mother born TN) William H. MASSEY Son S Male W 6M TN (father born VA) (mother born TN) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Source Information: Census Place District 2, Mc Nairy, Tennessee Family History Library Film 1255268 NA Film Number T9-1268 Page Number 20C There are no Masseys in Henderson Co. TN on the 1900 census of an age to be either parent of John Ike Massey (as a head of household). John Ike Massey married about 1906, so I'm assuming he was born in the 1880's after the taking of the 1880 census. From this census we see Doc was born about 1851 in Virginia. Assuming he lived a normal lifespan, he would be old enough to die in TN after they probably started collecting death certificates. You should contact their state vital records office to see if they have a death certificate on him, but do not specify the county as you have no way of knowing what county he was living in. If he left the state, this of course will not work. I would also contact the county seat in McNairy County to obtain a copy of the marriage certificate as this will possibly give you additional info such as perhaps if he had another name besides Doc. There is an E.A. Ricketts family living in this county on the 1880 census with the father the right age to be Sarah's father, but apparently living with a much younger second wife and their children. I have been unable to find Doc on any census before 1880 or after. I suspect he had another name. I hope the above is helpful. Carla Tate