I would like to find the father of my g-grandfather. He was born 1879 in (probably) Buchanan County, VA to unwed mother Melissa, b. 1859 Buchanan County, VA. His first and middle names were Floyd James, but he was raised as a Prater, his step-father's name. His son William started using the name Nichols when he was 13. Melissa was the daughter of Edmund Murphy and Polly Shortridge. They lived near the James Nickels family. Family stories say that Melissa got pregnant, the unknown Nickels boy did not want to marry her, so she moved on and ended up marrying George Prater. Unfortunately for me, Floyd's birthfather's given name is not known. With Melissa's age, I figure that only two sons of James Nickels could be the father. Because she named her son Floyd James, and these are not names in her family, I am thinking that she might have named him after the father. Perhaps Rush Floyd Nickels is the father? Perhaps she named her son after the father and the grandfather. I don't know. Of course, since I carry the name Nichols, I am most anxious to be able to trace this line, but cannot go farther without knowing Floyd's father's name. I see that there are people on this list related to this particular family. Does anyone know this story? Is there anyone in the family old enough to know this information? I hope no one is offended with this request. I just hope to find the Floyd's father's name so I know which family to continue the search on. I appreciate any help you can give me. Thanks, Donna ;}