Currently, I am researching the Ratcliff/Ratcliffe/Radcliff/Ratliff line and am having difficulty going beyond the early 1800s in southwest Virginia. Further complicating the problem is the fact that the surnames appear to be almost interchangeable and a number of marriages between couples with the same or similar version of the surname. Family tradition indicates that my Ratcliffs were indentured servants from England who entered America in Virginia and, somewhere along the line, they brought Cherokee blood into the family. I am extremely interested when that took place and who it was. At the moment I am at a brick wall with two of the “clan”; a John Ratliff and an Ennis Ratcliffe. I have established that John married Martha Jane Stump on 28 Sep 1875 in Tazewell County, VA. I have records that show him to be John “P.” and John “A. T.” Ratliff. I have nothing further on him but I do have some on Martha if you would be interested. Their son was George Washington Ratliff b. 1 Jan 1881 in Tazewell County, VA d. 15 Aug 1931 in Glade Spring, Washington County, VA. Ennis/Enis/Enice Ratcliffe, b. early 1800s in Tazewell County, VA, married an Anny/Annie McMeans in Oct 1834 in Tazewell County, VA. I have other records which show that he married an Anna McGlothlin/McGlothland. I don’t know if these are the same person or not. Ennis had a son, John Ratcliffe b. 23 Sep 1843, d. 6 Jun 1931 in Glade Spring, Washington County, VA. I have nothing more on Ennis. One respondent wrote me that he believes the parents were Benjamin Ratliff and Rebecca. Apparently, Benjamin was born in Montgomery County and ran away to Tazewell to avoid the military. To date, there is no proof of this theory. I will appreciate anything you may happen to have which might help in my research whether it be from official records, family history/tradition, or family bibles (or even good rumors). Thank you in advance for your help and I hope that we can make a connection. Emme Ratcliff Leslie