I am posting this to several different lists in the hope that someone can point me in the right direction. My father was Rayford Andrew WELLS; b. 01-05-1929;d. 01-30-1982. His parents were James Andrew(Jimmie) WELLS; b.01-04-1879; d. 03-25-1952 and Mary Alice PRINCE; b. 07-14-1890; they were m. 08-10-1903. This information I can prove through birth and marriage records. According to a Bible that belonged to Mary Alice, that I have in my possession, James Andrew WELLS was the son on John L. WELLS; b.06-05-1851; d. 01-24-1916 and Jane RUNNELS; b.07-18-1851; d. 09-13-1900. Mary Alice PRINCE was the daughter of William PRINCE; b.?; d.? and Arville ?; b.?; d.?. Though it does not state this fact in the Bible, I am almost certain that Arville's maiden name was MATHIS. I knew my grandmother, Mary Alice, and I am certain that she always said that her mother was a MATHIS. Also, I have a copy of a land patent that was granted to Arvila M. PRINCE, widow of William PRINCE. So it is very likely that her maiden name was MATHIS. Please notice the different spellings of Arvilla. The Bible has it as Arville. The land patent has Arvila. Mary Alice's oldest child was named Lillie Arvilla. Mary Alice was b. in the Cohay swamp area of Smith Co. MS. This I know from conversations with her before she died. I do not know where James Andrew was b. but it is likely he was born in Smith Co, also. There may be connections in Smith, Simpson, and Covington Counties in MS. I have some suspicions as to the parents of John L. WELLS, Jane RUNNELS, William PRINCE, and Arvilla MATHIS. I cannot prove anything. And that is why I am posting this msg. If anyone can help me, feel free to email me directly or post to the list that you read this msg from. Any help will be deeply appreciated. Jill WELLS DAVISON djilly21@aol.com