Catherine, My Raines spelled their names Raynes only after they left North Carolina. The only way I have seen William Raines (am hoping he is my Patsey's father) name signed in N.C. is Raines. We must remember that he did not "sign" per se anything, as he could not read or write as he signed with an "X", so I am sure he did not recogonize his name when he saw it. My uncle Ed, born 1872 is the person that wrote down all the family history that included Raynes. That is the way he spelled it, but I truly think it was not supposed to be spelled that way. He had a sister that was named Mary Raynes Leonard, (for Patsey), so she had to carry the name spelled that way. A lot of people that were in Alabama went on to Arkansas, Oklahoma and Texas. A lot of times, Alabama was just a stopping off place to rest or work long enough to go on west. Have you looked for your folks other places? I cannot remember seeing your posting, so do not know who you are looking for. I live in Alabama and there are still a lot of Rain(e)s here. Don't give up, as there are just too many unclaimed Raines still floating around out here. Mary -----Original Message----- From: Cat Donnow <cranberry@i-55.com> To: RAINS-L@rootsweb.com <RAINS-L@rootsweb.com> Date: Thursday, April 19, 2001 1:53 PM Subject: Re: [RAINS] Misc Va Raines marraiges >I think I'm just going to have to change my ancestors name from Raynes to >Rain(es)!!! Ya'll find your families!!......mine are lost somewhere in >Alabama, hiding and not to be found!!! >Cat >Catherine Donnow >Ambiance Studio Web Design