I found my Sophrena Thomas' wedding certificate (to Prelette McGoon) in IA, 30 AUG 1872. A John Thomas had signed that she was of appropriate age and condition to marry. I also found a John Thomas with son John and daughter "Sophronia" in IA at that time. What is puzzling me is that my very reliable grandmother wrote a history in which she says she remembers personally her grandfather Thomas, and he was a slave-owner with a plantation in Louisiana or Virginia! The John Thomas and Sophronia in IA are listed as having been born in Wales. Does anybody have any ideas about this? Marlene