This letter is marked "copy", it is typewritten in script. I have no idea how many times it has changed hands or where it originated. It was given to me by my cousin, Emma Jon Ratliff Chandler. It may have been sent to her by Mrs. Fouts or Mrs. Gunn. I do not believe the author could possibly be alive today, but since he does not seem to be stricken with modesty, I do not think he would object, even if he were alive. I do not know what "printed genealogy" he is refering to. If anyone reading this knows, please tell me. Billie Houston, Texas March 29, 1939 Mr. W. D. Ratliff Oskaloosa, Kansas Dear Sir: In replying to your letter of recent date, I am stressing attention upon your postscript, that regarding your name. I have spent years in research. I have delved into the past back nine hundred years; the Grand High Saxon Chief invading the British Isles named Ethelred settled in Scotch Border Mountains and assumed the name Radcliff. As his daughter Elphavat married the Earl of Anjoy, our family got off to an early start in the British Royalty. Down through the many centuries are numerous Counts and Earls. Hanging over my table is the British Royal Coat of Arms of our family. The broad "ah" of Scotch accent made the name Radcliff, the latter softened to Ratcliff at the time of King Henry VIII, for he named Henry Ratcliff 9th Earl of Sussex. Now here I will mention that Sir Thomas Ratliff married Ann Parr, daughter of a nobleman, Sir William Parr and King Henry married Katherine Parr for his last wife. I know of some of the descendents, now living in San Fransisco. The name is one of the first in Britain. A prominent street in London is Ratcliff Highway. Many of our family were Rectors of the Established Church of England ( Episcopal). Of my own immediate descent, the custom obtained to name the first son John, and the second son Benjamin. Through many generations, I am therefore the second son in the second generation in the United States, named after the Honorable Benjamin Ratcliff of Cheedle Hill, England. My father was the late Hon John G. Ratcliff ( in Who's Who In America). The names Rockcliff and Ratfield and Ratford are names originally constructed on similar basis as ours. One early Governor of Virginia was John Ratcliff, their descendents emigrated to Kentucky. The Indiana Ratcliffs are largely Quakers in religion. I found in California the "Ratcliff" whose family claimed the distinction of orginating the name as thus mispelled in this country. His grandfather was a large landowner, but he could not read or write, and would have his name signed by others, then making his mark. They wrote it phoneticallty as he pronounced it. It, however, is a careless, easy way to describe it and many Southern soldiers in the Army. Spanish American War thus accosted me. Knowing the family history as I do, I could never slang the name. I have travelled in many foreign countries. My picture has been displayed in many daily papers, particularly Panama and South America. My photo was recently secured to transmit by telephoto to San Francisco. I receive many letters from "Ratcliffs" - all variations. I am an Ex-United States Immigration Official, attorney and war veteran. If I have more printed copies of our genealogy, I will favor you with one later. Yours truly, /s/ Benjamin W. Ratcliffe B.W. Ratcliffe 409 Austin Street Houston, Texas note: I have no idea what the symbol prefacing his name is...interesting reading tho, isn't it ? B.