This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: Roper, Graham, Grayham Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/kgDBAEB/797.1 Message Board Post: Emil: I am NOT trying to "sharpshoot" your Query, but I read the surname in the 1900 Census record to say "GRAHAM" rather than "GRAYHAM". It appears to me that we should be looking at records showing BOTH spellings. Also, I read the mother's place of birth in these records as "Alabama". William and Lillie seem to have been married about six years in 1900. It seems to me that the indicated birth dates of Apr 1874 for William F. GRAYHAM/GRAHAM and Jun 1883 for Finas GRAYHAM/GRAHAM indicates a migration from TN to TX during the interval between 1874 and 1883. The typical migration patten from TN in that period was down the Natchez Trace into Mississippi. Thereafter, one would tend to follow the Red River through Arkansas into Texas and Oklahoma. If William and Finas/Finos GRAYHAM's father was living in 1900, one might expect to find him in Texas, Oklahoma, or some place along this route. Texas would be the most likely location, with the sons moving to the frontier -- then Indian Territory -- to find their own land. I would encourage you to take a look at the family of Charles G. GRAYHAM, of Robertson, TX. According to the 1900 Census, he was born in TN during Oct 1850. His wife, Cossie, is shown to have been born in MS in Jan 1855. Thier daughter, Mytle, age 15, was born in TX in Apr 1885. Charles G. GRAYHAM is about the right age to be Finos/Finas GRAYHAM's UNCLE. The 1880 Census record shows CHas GRAHAM, age 30, to have been born in TX to a father born in TN and a mother born in VA. Wife Corrica, age 26, was born in MS. The only children in this household are Eugene J. GRAHAM, age 2, age Chas G. GRAHAM, age 1, each born in TX. * Similarly, and perhaps more importantly, take a closer look at the families of Fay GRAYHAM, age 52 (b Feb 1848 - AL), of Rains Co, TX, and Elizabeth GRAYHAM, age 57 (b Apr 1843 - AL), of Hunt Co., Tex. Fay's daughter Frances, age 12 (b Aug 1887) is shown to have been born in TX to a father and mother each born in AL. This probably rules out Fay as Finos/Finas' mother. Elizabeth is shown to be residing in the HH of son William GRAYHAM, age 24 (b Sep 1875 - TX) to paretns born in NC and AL. We can probably EXCLUDE this Elizabeth, too. * Another family that deserves further study is that of James S. and Jennie LARKIN, of Dallas County, TX. There are three children in this household: Nona L. GRAYHAM, age 18 (b Feb 1882 - AR), Cora M. GRAYHAM, age 18 (b Aug 1881 - TN), and James O., age 15 (b Sep 1884 - AR). This closely corresponds to the imputed migration path of the family of William and Finos GRAYHAM. Each of the children is shown to have a father born in TN. Nona is shown to have a mother born in MS, while Cora and James' mother is shown to be born in TN. This latter information might be transposed. Jennie LARKIN is shown to have had five children, only one of whom is living. This might have been James GRAYHAM, the youngest. The other daughters might have been from a previous marriage. This record implicitly suggests that this family was in TN at the 1880 Census eumeration and came to Texas via Arkansas after 1884. * Basically, I believe that one approach to finding Finas's parents is a "brute force" method, taking a look at each GRAYHAM/GRAHAM couple in OK and TX in 1880 and 1900 and looking for a couple with male in HH born in TN and female born in AL. The couple would probably be born within about ten years of 1850. This involves more than a little bit of work, but in several hours you might find the correct HH. Another approach would involve looking for other siblings of William F. and Finos/Finas in the 1900 to 1920 Census. You would basically be looking for GRAYHAMs/GRAHAMs born abt 1880 +/- 10 yrs born in Tenn or Texas residing in Texas. The candidate would have a father born in Tenn and a Mother born in Ala. Best of luck!