This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: doc74199 Surnames: Simpkins Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/surnames.simpkins/336.1.1/mb.ashx Message Board Post: Hi, Hope you are still on this thread. I too am working on Eli. I beleive that there are 2. One born of Mary Ann(Chafin) Harris and Hiram Harris. This Eli was to become the step son of Eli Simpkins. Eli Simpkins (the father) was married to Matilda Staten This union would produce Eli Jr When Matilda died or left the older Eli would marry Marry Ann. In a 1870 census Matlida and Eli were husband and wife. This household also included Mary A Harris, Eli Harris and Matilda C/J Harris. Matilda C/J would also become s stepdaughter of the older Eli. An 1880 census would have Eli his 2nd wife Mary Ann and one Eli. However there is another 1880 census with Matilda and another Eli. The question is which Eli became Jr and died in 1949. This Eli D/C has an Tilda Jane Harris as his mother and Eli Simpkins as the father. However I believ that the informant was confused or was misinformed about the mother(Ma)tlida Jane Harris. She may have been the birth mother but she was a Staten or Mary Ann Harris was the birth mother. I beleive the name was a cobination of the two mothers; as one would be the birth mother and one would be the stepmother. Still collecting marriage records and matching them with census and death records. Any ideas. Bob Shaffer 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.