Paul, You've got the idea of how our names got mangled into many variations. It didn't seem to matter to some, maybe because they signed with an X ? Here's a clue = Stafford Co, VA is where the Mathenys were & their emigrant was Daniel so its a common name in all the families. But the the Mathenys were often as not living in the same area as Mattingly/Matney. Many think we are related & I've had some come to me & ask how their Matheny is related to my Matney. I think this came from the mixups in the areas where they both lived, yet didn't know each other well. The John Matley in Rappahannock County shows how his name was spelled a variety of ways. Probably was the same person in some cases, but possibly not ? It would have to be researched to know. I like that one Mannynge = that's one I've never seen before. Would be good to do more research in Rappahannock Co. Carol in WA In a message dated 6/29/01 2:05:12 PM Pacific Daylight Time, [email protected] writes: << Will of William Matheny 12 Nov 1705 of Stafford County, VA - wills items to "eldest son Danl. Matheny", "second son John Matheny", "third son James Matheny", "unto my daughter Mary Matheny", "Wm. Mason my wifes son", and "my loving wife Frances". This is from "Deeds and Astracts of Stafford Co, VA 1699-1709" There is also a John Matley who receives tobacco in the will of John Bowen of County of Rappahannock on 5 Nov 1671 from "Rappahannock County Deed Boo 1672-1676 Part 1". There is a Thomas Mannynge who witnesses the transfer of land between David and Mary Fox and John Richards and Edard Clark on 22 November 1656. This from "Rappahannock County Deed Book 1656-1664 Part II". >>