Let me clear up some confusion. James Ratcliff b. May 1838 in Virginia (the 1900 Beaver Pond District, Mercer County, WV. census states that both his parents were born in Virginia) married Elizabeth b. May 1842 in Va. married in or around 1865. (same census states her parents were also born in VA) Their children are listed as: William L. (son), Lewis B. (son), Lorisa A. (it looks like it says that. The name isn't real clear) (daughter) .James and Elizabeth had 9 children. These are the only ones living at their household at this census time. The census states that one child had died. James F. Ratliff b. Dec 1840 in Virginia (the 1900 Beaver Pond District, Mercer County, WV. census states that both his parents were born in Virginia) married Amanda Elizabeth (Surface) b.May 1846 in WV. married in or around 1840. (same census states her parents were born in VA) Their only child living with them at that time was Ballard Hezikiah b. June 1888 in WV. Their grandchildren listed as living with them were: Charles K., Gorigia M. and Allen K. The census states that Amanda's father was living there also. He was George Washington Surface b. March 1808 and was a widow. James and Amanda are listed as having 11 children with 9 living at the time of this census. I am related to the second James Ratliff. I have the social security application for Ballard Hezekiah Ratliff that gives his parents as James Ratliff and Elizabeth Surface. Ballard H. is my greatgrandpa. I have been doing research on this line for years and have also come upon this confusion myself and I want to help everyone else on it. Part of the confusion is that Amanda's middle name is Elizabeth and she goes by both. The other part is that these 2 James lived in the same district.