I am trying to solve a mystery in my family and hope someone will see this that might be able to help. My gr grandfather, Isaac Lawson was born in 1880 in Kyles Ford, Hancock, TN and raised in Blackwater, VA. His mother was Mary Jane Roberts and father was Joseph Lawson. Isaac's birth was not registered until 1945 when he reached retirement age - his original was probably lost in a fire that destroyed records. One of the witnesses listed on his birth registration was REBECCA ROBERTS BLESSING - listed as his aunt - and said to be present at his birth. She was 78 years old at that time, making her year of birth abt 1867. Now, here comes the mystery - I have not been able to find any record of her being Mary Jane's sister. Mary Jane's father, Abraham Roberts was killed in 1864 in Blackwater Civil War battle. I traced Rebecca back from her marriage to Joseph Blessing - first appeared on 1920 Wise Co, VA census as his wife. She had previously been married to William Kilgore - mar! ried on Oct. 1, 1901. On their marriage certificate Rebecca's parents were listed as Samuel and Jane Willis. The marriage certificate lists her name as Rebecca Willis, but lists her as a WIDOW. Says she was born in Lee Co, VA. William is listed as SINGLE, age 44, occupation coal drawer - PARENTS John and Susanna Kilgore. Another odd fact is that Rebecca is listed on the 1900 Wise Co, Census in William Kilgore's household as Rebecca Willis, and as cook in the relationship column, b. May, 1867. She is listed as divorced, but under her name there are two children listed as boarders with Willis last name - ?Larsah?,F, b. Sept, 1887, and ?Quillen,M, b. Apr 1891. The writing is hard to read in some areas on this report. There are three children listed under William as his children -yet he was listed as single on their marriage certifcate - not widowed. William died before 1910. William and Rebecca had a daughter, Susie Kilgore. On the 1910, Releigh, West VA census Rebecca is list! ed along with the children that were on the 1900 census, except, ?Lars ah?, all listed as her children. By 1920, she is back in Wise Co and married to Joseph Blessing. I did not find a marriage record for her to Joseph in Wise Co. Susie was living with Rebecca and Joseph Blessing in 1910, listed as step-daughter. Susie married S.J. Leonard on 06/17/1923 in Wise Co, VA - parents listed as W. A. Kilgore and Rebecca Blessing. Stella Kilgore, listed on the 1900 Census as William's daughter, married R. D. Mumpower on 12/13/1912 - no father is listed for her and her mother is listed as Rebecca Kilgore. Was she, in fact, the mother of the other children listed as William's children in the 1900 Census? Was Willis her last name from a first marriage or was she born as Willis? Were Samuel and Jane Willis in fact her parents? Why was her maiden name listed as Roberts on my gr grandfather's birth certificate? Did Mary Jane's mother possbily have an illegitimate child after her husband, Abraham, died in the war - did one of the Willis family members raise t! he child and she took their name?? These are possibilities - I would appreciate any help that anyone might be able to give me with this mystery. By the way, Mary Jane Roberts married Joseph Lawson in 1871, so Rebecca would have only been about 4 yrs old then and when my gr grandfather was born she would have been only 13. Thank you for any help, Sharon