I am at the usual "brick wall" in locating info on my West ancestors. Here is a little of my West genealogy. Mother Jessie Leota West b: 1907 Murphysboro, Jackson, IL d: 1959 " Her Father Kenneth Howard West b: 1884 Murphysboro, Jackson, IL d: 1908 " His Father William Howard West b: Mar 18, 1859 Marion, Williamson, IL d: Dec 27, 1926 Carbondale, Jackson, IL His Father Nicodemus West b: 1824 in TN d: 1874 Marion, Williamson, IL I have two references for Nicodemus' birthplace: 1. Tumulty, Clinton, TN --- I have learned that there never was a town named Tumulty in Tennessee nor was there ever a county named Clinton. 2. Clinton, Anderson, TN ??? In the census documents I have read, Nicodemus says he was born in TN. Since he was born in 1824, there is no record of his birth in County records. I know Nicodemus was in Marion, IL in 1846. He joined the Illinois Infantry then and was in the Mexican War. He married Martha Malinda Mulkey in 1850. I have a copy of a page of the Marion Monitor wherein it reports Nicodemus' accidental death. Obediah West was born in VA in 1793 and ended up in Franklin and Williamson Counties, IL at least from 1827 til his death. I have a listing for the Primitive Baptist Church which lists him as a "messenger" in 1827 at a church in Marion, IL. Obediah was in the War of 1812 while living in VA and the Blackhawk War while living in IL. I have copies of his discharge papers from both of these military duties. I have a reference to the marriage of an Obediah H. West and Senath Smith in Chesterfield County, VA on 13 May 1815. Don't know if it is the same Obediah or not. In 1830, Obediah is listed in the 1830 Federal Census for Franklin County, IL as having 3 young sons and no spouse. I have searched Cem Inscps for Senath, but no luck. After the 1830 census was taken, he married Leah Teague and they had several offspring. He and Leah are listed in the censuses for 1840, 50, 60, 70, and 80. They died a few days apart in 1884 and are buried in the Old Brushy Cemetery near West Frankfort, IL. The IGI at the Mormon FHC says Nicodemus' father was Obediah, doesn't list mother. I have a copy of Obediah's death certificate. It is signed by Nero West, and all the children of his second marriage. Nero, then, must have been one of the three young sons of the first marriage. Nero named one of his son Obediah. When Van R. West was married in 1848 (at age 20), it was with the consent of O. West. Surely Obediah was his father. From census documents, Van R. West was born in IL in 1827, Nero was born in TN in 1826. Sure fits with Nicodemus being born in TN in 1824 and the fact the Obediah had 3 young sons in 1830. Where was Nicodemus born? Is Obediah his father? Is his mother Senath Smith West? Are Nero and Van his brothers? Can anybody help? Billy N. Carr