This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: Grayson, Payne Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/ABC.2ACE/3848 Message Board Post: Trying to solve the mystery of America M. Grayson, my gr-gr-gr grandmother. She is listed in the 1850 Russell County census as a 10 year old girl living in the household of Lewis B. Payne. Who are her parents? Why is she living with the Payne family? Where is she from? It is believed that she is Native American, most likely Cherokee. It is also believed that the Payne's adopted her and raised her. It appears she was born in North Carolina. She later married Thompson Cole and moved to Kentucky. Later in life, she is known as America Cole or America Payne. Could she be from Grayson County, perhaps? Any help would be much appreciated. Are there adoption records from the 1840s? Native American records from this area? Thank you.