This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: jack_messer Surnames: Bray, Rogers Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/surnames.rogers/6760.1/mb.ashx Message Board Post: Hi Vonnie, I too am seeking the parents of Mary E. Bray (ref. 1880 Perry Twp, Johnson Co, AR census). I assumed that her mother's name was Rogers. I found ,using Rootsweb a marriage between James K. P. Bray and Mary E.Rogers 15 Sep 1872 in Johnson Co, AR. Using family info that Mary's maiden name was Bray and the 1900 MO, Jasper Co, Galena Twp census, I learned that Mary was born May 1872, her parents: father born KY, mother born AR, previously married with a Hazel Bates b. Aug 1888 AR. Again using Rootsweb marriage index I found: Eliza Bray m. Aaron Bates on 3 May 1888 in Polk Co., AR. 1900 census has Mary's marriage to John C. Moore as abt. 1892. 1910 census Oklahoma, Creeke Co., Depew Twp gives Mary's middle initial as "E". Family says E is for Elizabeth. In 1870 I found James Bray and others(prob. cousins?) staying with E. Yearwood in Johnson Co.,AR. B. abt.1845 KY. I traced James(w/parents) in 1860 and 1850 to Nelson Co, KY. Father's name was Job in 1860& 1870,Joel in 1850, Jobe in 1880; all in Nelson Co, KY. Job's father was Henry b.1798, g-father was William b. 1766, other ancestors can be found on Rootsweb.Neither James nor Mary are found after 15 Sep 1872. On Rootsweb under Joseph C Rogers b. 1790 TN, I found a reference to a will:In his 1986 book, Daniel Alen Rogers recounts how he was looking for the parents of Thomas J. Rogers when he came across information that Thomas had a sister named either Elmyra or Almira, daughter of Joseph Rogers, and that she had married a Joseph Stewart. Daniel then found a will dated 1881 in the Probate Records of Johnson County, Arkansas that indicated the following: "Joseph C. Rogers, dec. E. D. Reynolds, adm. Heirs: Children: Henry L. Rogers; William W. Rogers; Rebecca Pearson; Mary F. Reynolds. Grandchildren: J. C. Rogers; A. J. Rogers; J. M. Rogers; W. H. Rogers; David Rogers; Lucinda Reynolds; Joseph Rogers; Crockett Rogers; Rebecca Rogers; Cynthia Rogers; Eliza Bray." The first seven grandchildren's names match those known children of Thomas J. Rogers, exactly. Some have said that Thomas' father was named Charles. We have not come across this name, but it is possible that the "C" in Joseph's name stands for Charles. Many people, of course, have been called or known by their middle name. Others have said that there has to be some discrepancy in the above mentioned will. At this point in time we can only speculate as to the truth of over one hundred years ago. I take this to establish beyond speculation that Mary "Eliza" Bray was either a granddaughter or a great-granddaughter of Joseph C Rogers ;also that her mother or both parents were dead by the probate of the will(1881).Although there was a James K. Polk Bray that married Frances Davis in Howell Co, MO abt. 1875 and lived to 1921. Since Mary Bray's mother was not listed in the will we can assume she died before 1881.I have tried to trace the children of Joseph C Rogers in case Mary Bray was a g-grandchild but no luck. Hoping you have found something besides all this since 2005. You probably knew this already. Please help. Jack D. Messer E-Mail: [email protected] earthlink.net 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.