Hello listers! :) I am just starting my Pruett (and all the various spellings) research. Does anyone know how the various spellings developed? Are they different families or did it come from census takers and clerks spelling it differently? I am looking for information on Mariah Pruett born 1842/1845 in Missouri. She married Stanford Elledge on 2 Dec 1861, Atchison, Missouri. Her marriage record was obtained from a book by (ack! I've lost the author's name) ; Prewitt marriages Salt Lake Family History/Genealogy Library 929.273 p929pr p.114 Stanford's last name is recorded as ELLIOT, the source from the Prewitt marriage book lists Atchison County Marriage records Book A p. 17. which the library didn't have a copy of at the time. In the 1860 Iowa census I find a Mariah Preutt age 15 born MO, living with a Jonathan and Mary Bridges. Does anyone know anything about these people? Is this the same Mariah? In 1870 Iowa census my Mariah is living with her husband and children and her bp is listed as ILL. In the 1920 CA census her son Ernest G. Elledge lists her birthplace as MO. I would love to find her parents or at least some siblings. Can anyone help? Kimberly Lehi, UT