Seeking parental information on Alfred Melancthon MECHLING; -- have looked in Perry, Licking and Fairfield Counties, but have not found any birth or guardianship records. Known information is: born 6 Oct 1845, Hopewell twp., Perry Co OH (data he used, anyway) died 5 Aug 1933, near Ada, Liberty twp., Hardin Co OH (proven) married circa 1871 (location unknown, but probably Perry Co.) Eva SMITH/SCHMIDT (1847-1921) d/o George & Mary Magdalina (FISHER/FISCHER) MECHLING of Perry Co OH Alfred Melancthon is found in these early census records: 1850, age 5, residing with Joseph & Catharine (WINEGARDNER) SNIDER, in Bowling Green twp., Licking Co OH 1860, age 15, residing with Daniel & Catherine (MECHLING) SHELLY in Hopewell twp., Perry Co OH (Catherine was probably his aunt) 1870, age 25, with Simon & Elizabeth (SHELLY) SWINEHART in Perry Co OH (Elizabeth was a sister to Daniel SHELLY) 1880, married with wife Eva in Monroe twp, Delaware Co IN His obit lists a sister, Sarah FORSYTHE of Argos IN. She was Sarah (nee MECHLING) d/o Jacob D. (1821/3-1871) & Nancy (WAGONER) MECHLING (married 2 Aug 1845), who left Perry Co. around 1850, and had a son Alfred, born 10 Sep 1846, as recorded in the Good Hope Church records, near Glenford, Perry Co OH. This is a different Alfred from Alfred Melancthon. Jacob D. was the s/o Peter & Mary (DOWNOUR) MECHLING. Jacob & Nancy had several other children who were also still alive at the time of Alfred Melancthon's death, but they were NOT listed as his siblings! His death certificate (information given by his dtr. Pearl (MECHLING) TURNER) , list "Jacob" as his father, mother "unknown". A "family story" says that his mother "...was the little French girl on the next(?) farm..." How much validity might this have?? I cannot find any. The Perry Co OH will and estate papers of Margaret (MECHLING) SHELLY [wife of George SHELLY}, lists Alfred MECHLING of Ada OH, as her nephew. This would have to be Alfred Melancthon, because of the location - the other Alfred resided in Indiana. Margaret was the d/o Peter & Mary (DOWNOUR) MECHLING, making her a sister to the above Jacob D. MECHLING. Deducting from this information, it appears that Jacob D. MECHLING had an affair shortly before his marriage, a child resulted, who became named, Alfred Melancthon MECHLING. Might the mother have been in the Joseph & Catharine (WINEGARDNER) SNIDER extended family -- is that why he was residing with them? He was not their son. Any suggestions, comments, or leads on this "stone wall" will be GREATLY appreciated!! Caral MECHLING BENNETT cmechlingb@aol.com