I have someone. There are two children James Elbert and Mary Lou Mathis. Could be spelled a variety of ways of course. They went by Elbert and Lou but the census may have anything. So if you would, could you look them up in the 1880 census? They might be in  TN or MO or anyplace else.   :) Katharan I'm repeating this but I wanted to add a few things. First James Elbert would be 8-10 years of age and Mary Lou 5-7 years of age. They could be in Houston Co or Stewart Co, in TN or perhaps New Madrid Co, MO. They might be living with Toad or Tobe Mathis or with unknown grandparents. Can you guess what info I'm really after here? :) See, I'm working with family legend with is just a few tidbits (or genealogists terms: clues). Just looking for more of the story. thank you William