This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: LoriLittle63 Surnames: BEDTHIJA SMITH HURST YORK Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.northam.usa.states.ohio.counties.adams/3583/mb.ashx Message Board Post: BEDTHIJA BEDTHIJA BEDTHIJA BEDTHIJA BEDTHIJA BEDTHIJA I am posting my info through out different states and counties in hopes that this name has surfaced elsewhere. If anyone out there has any knowledge of this name I would love to hear about it and suggestions are welcome. I am looking for any info on my GGgrandfather whose, I believe due to the info that I have found and has been sent to me, last name is BEDTHIJA. His son, my Ggrandfather Charles Bedthija Smith, was born in Indiana and died in Illinois and Charles daughter-Zetta Ann SMITH YORK, my grandmother, was born in Illinois and died in Illinois. I believe his last name is BEDTHIJA and that he came from Germany and possibly returned to Germany. I am listing all info, and a couple of stories, that I have on his child/children. I have nothing on him. It seems that my Ggrandfather-Charles was kept at a distance with his grandchildren, my mother and aunt does not remember much about him and they were not allowed to visit him even though he lived within visiting range. My mother and aunt said that there mother-Zetta was never told anything about her grandparents-Charles parents. So whats the Hush-Hush all about? 1st Story: My sister remembers our grandmother, Zetta Ann SMITH YORK, telling her about a grandfather, she does not remember if she specified which grandfather, that came from Germany married a Native American (this part I question but she swears that is how she remembers the story) had child/children wife died and the grandfather not being able to speak much English returned to Germany. Marriage Record in Vermillion Co., Indiana: Book 7 page 119 list groom-BERTHIJA, Chalres (exact spelling probably a typo) bride-HURST, Minnie A. date-April 5, 1896. (If this is correct they probably lied on the 1900 census about being married 8 years) Book 7 page 49 list groom-STURM, Harry (probably Minnies first husband and probably Ross (Ross from 1900 census) father) bride-HURST, Minnie A. date-none listed. 1900 U.S. Federal Census, Edgar Co., IL: Line 24/BEDTHIJA, Charles/Head/W M/b. Oct. 1873/age 26/married 8yrs/birth pl. Indiana/fathers birth pl. Germany/mothers birth pl. Ohio. Line 25/BEDTHIJA, Minnie/Wife/W F/b. Mar. 1875/age 25/married 8yrs/birth pl. Illinois/fathers birth pl. Illinois/mothers birth pl. Illinois. Line 26/BEDTHIJA, Ross/Son/W M/b. Feb. 1893/age 7/birth pl. Illinois/fathers birth pl. Indiana/mothers birth pl. Illinois. Line 27/BEDTHIJA, Jack/Son/W M/b. Feb. 1897/age 3/birth pl. Illinois/fathers birth pl. Indiana/mothers birth pl. Illinois. Line 28/BEDTHIJA, Zeta/Daughter/W F/b. Jan. 1899/age 1/birth pl. Illinois/fathers birth pl. Indiana/mothers birth pl. Illinois. Changes name to SMITH after 1900 census. (or was using his middle name as last name in 1900 census) 2nd Story: My aunt remembered her mother, Zetta Ann SMITH YORK, my grandmother, telling her that when she was a little girl one day the mailman was questioning her parents about the name/names on the mail and when her parents explained to the mailman he said Just change your name. Divorced after 1900 Census. (I am assuming that he is divorced before he signed the WWI Draft even though it doesnt ask for marital statis he states his closest living is his daughter not spouse.) WWI Draft Registration Card: Signed-Charles Bedthija Smith on Sept. 12, 1918 in Terre Haute, Indiana. Residence-Terre Haute, Vigo, Indiana. Birth Date-Oct. 10, 1873, Closest living relative-Zetta York in Edgar Co., Illinois. The only other BEDTHIJA that I have found: WWI Draft Registration Card: Allen Co., Indiana is Henry J BEDTHIJA, born Feb. 3 1895 in Scotland, Illinois (Edgar Co.) Single with no next of kin and states that he has no one solely dependent on him. Death Certificate: Name-Charles Bedthija Smith Place of Death-Paris Hospital, Edgar Co. Illinois Date of Death-May 9, 1944 Birth Date-Oct. 12, 1870(this date is different from the 1900 Census and the WWI Draft, not sure which is correct) Father & Mother-unknown Informant-Jack Smith Place of Burial-Mt. Carmel, Brouiletts Creek Twp., Edgar Co. Illinois It has been suggested to me that this name could possibly be Latvian spelled Bettija. Any info surrounding this name would be appreciated. Thank you for taking the time to read my query and an enormous THANK YOU to everyone at Rootsweb for helping me find the info that I have. Thanks, Lori 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.