Interesting case, Shirley.  I did a search in ancestry.com for Ransom Eldridge, exact spelling, and found one in KY looks as  if he could be your lad.  The original record shows that Ransom and both his parents were born in VA (so if this is your ancestor, why would his parents have gone back toEngland if they were born in VA?) all those children were born in KY, so likely he married in KY.  If his parents left him in VA and returned to England, I'd say the census record is incorrect on their POB. the Ransom name is interesting, I have ancestors on the eastern shore of VA, there in 17th century, Gloucester Co, named Ransom/Ranson -- Peter Ransom, whose daughter, Ann, married John Boswell are my ancestors.  It's possible that Ransom is the maiden name of his mother or grandmother, you might sort of keep that possibility in mind as you look for his kinfolks.  Linda  1880 United States Federal Census about Ransom Eldridge Name:Ransom Eldridge Home in 1880:Precinct 6, Pulaski, Kentucky Age:44 Estimated Birth Year:abt 1836 Birthplace:Virginia Relation to Head of Household:Self (Head) Spouse's Name:Margaret Father's birthplace:Virginia Mother's birthplace:Virginia Neighbors:View others on page Occupation:Farmer Marital Status:Married Race:White Gender:Male   Household Members:Name Age Ransom Eldridge 44 Margaret Eldridge 38 William Eldridge 19 Sarah A. Eldridge 16 Joshua Eldridge 15 John Eldridge 14 James Eldridge 11 Samuel Eldridge 9 Andy Eldridge 7 Elijah Eldridge 6 Charley Eldridge 4 Serelda Eldridge 2 ----- Original Message ---- From: SHIRLEY ELDRIDGE-DARBY <shirley1951@verizon.net> To: VALEE@rootsweb.com Sent: Monday, September 29, 2008 8:32:47 PM Subject: [VALEE] Ransom Eldridge I'm looking for information on Ransom Eldridge between 1835 and 1850.  He was born 1835 in Lee county VA.  Apparently he was abandoned by his parents who returned to England and was raised by the Short family.  The earliest record I have is the 1850 census for Lee Co. VA when he was 15 years and living in the household of Greenberry Short. 1.  Does anyone have access to the courthouse records for guardianship, indenturement, adoption or anything else that might involve a child. 2.  Does anyone have any ideas of what records I can search or contact I can make? Thank you Shirley Eldridge-Darby ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to VALEE-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message