This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: Joseph_Backes Surnames: Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.northam.usa.states.newyork.counties.allegany/9826.2.1/mb.ashx Message Board Post: Hello Mary, Thank you. In what paper did the obit appear? Yes, I believe Jessie was the wife of Walter D. Boyd. So, if Walter Boyd dies in 1921, and Helen Backes dies in 1923, then Jessie Boyd and Jacob Backes are single parents in the early 1920's with several kids each to raise. I think they got together, something like the Brady Bunch. The children are not half-brother and half sister to each other as they do not share a biological parent, they are either Boyd or Backes. I have a 1910 federal census, (Source Citation: Year: 1910; Census Place: Wellsville, Allegany, New York; Roll: T624_924; Page: 10B; Enumeration District: 38; Image: 243.) This lists the Boyd family as: Walter D Boyd 33 Jessie Boyd 30 Della Boyd 6 John Boyd 4 Richard Boyd 3 Mark Boyd 1 And a 1920 census (Source Citation: Year: 1920;Census Place: Wellsville, Allegany, New York; Roll: T625_1085; Page: 10B; Enumeration District: 38; Image: 110.) has the Boyd family as: Name Age Walter D Boyd 42 Jessie M Boyd 40 M Della Boyd 16 John P Boyd 14 Richard H Boyd 12 Mark M Boyd 10 And a 1930 census (Source Citation: Year: 1930; Census Place: Wellsville, Allegany, New York; Roll: 1406; Page: 8B; Enumeration District: 40; Image: 466.0.) has Backes and Boyd. Arnold Benthy is, I believe, an adopted son. Name Age Jessie M Backes 50 Boyd Richard 23 Charles Richard 16 Arnold Benthy 9 Well, Boyd Richard, is Richard Boyd, and Charles must be Charles Backes. Charles's older brothers Joseph G. Backes and Edward N. Backes have moved out and are living on thier own. Joseph G. Backes is 25 years old and married. He's living at 817 South Avenue in Horseheads, NY. Edward N. Backes is renting a room at 25 Pine Street in Binghamton, NY. I don't know where Charles's younger sister Dorothy and younger brother John are. In 1930 Dorothy would be 14 and John would be 7 or 8. If they are not living with Jessie and with their elder brother Charles then I have no idea where they are. But, I know what happens to Dorothy and John. Jessie was new to me and I want to learn more about her. Email me at [email protected] Thanks again, Joe Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board.