This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: reidw Surnames: Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/surnames.reid/1085.1102.1.2/mb.ashx Message Board Post: Shirley -- I just sent a reply to a later post of yours asking for more info. Then I found this one. As you have discovered, there are a great many Reids (and quite a few "Reeds") in Alabama. Many came there from Georgia in the early 1800s. I have no idea how they may or may not be interrelated back in the 1700s and before, but there are several lines that appear separate as of about 1840. My (Caucasian, so far as I know) line is the offspring of John (probably) and Mary Reid (I don't know her maiden name), several of whom came to Tallapoosa Co., AL., during the 1840s. Those Reid/Reed siblings, whose birthdates range from about 1810 to 1834 and were probably born in Georgia, had first names (mostly very common, unfortunately) like Jesse Taylor, Philip, John, William H., Abner L., James, George W., Eliza, Cornet/Cortney, Mary, and Andrew. At least two of those siblings (Jesse T. and James) moved to Texas, Jesse during the late 1860s (my line). Mary Ann Reid married a RAY. I have a lot of information about that Alabama Ray family, and a good contact with a member of that line who lives in Birmingham, AL. It is certainly possible that one of those families had an Ernest and a Chester a generation or two later; however, I don't recall running across those first names in my work. I hope this is helpful. If I can supply more information, drop me an email at reidw(at)reidpsychiatry.com. Bill Reid Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board.