John William Willis my husband's ancestor was born in 1832 in Kentucky. County unknown and his parents names unknown. They moved to Mcdonough County Illinois. I now believe his mother was Nancy_______married before 1832 _________Willis. John William had a sister Priscilla Willis who married Robert Sanford in McDonough Co Ill and then migrated to Iowa. Another sister Sarah who married and moved to Washington State. Half brother Allen Boyd. Listed in 1870 census with John William Willis in Hancock county. He married and moved to Missouri. Half brother Aquilla Boyd. The only other clues I've had is that Maysville, Kentucky was named after John William Willis' mother. I have been unable to substantiate this. It may be just family tradition. I list the children of John William and Martha (Mauk) Willis as names are often clues to ancestor's names. Any help appreciated. Kentucky is a large state and county or first name unknown making this a difficult search. Thank You Nancy Willis e-mail http://www.nshelwo3@alltel.net 1 John William Willis, b. 23 November 1832 at Kentucky, m. Martha Ellen Mauk, 3     February 1855 at Hancock Co., Ill., d. 28 May 1909 at Iola, Allen County, Ks.       1 Ambrose Franklin Willis, b. 23 November 1855 at Hancock Co., Ill., d. at         Hancock Co., Ill       2 Nancy Amdesteia Willis, b. 3 August 1859 at Hancock Co., Ill., d. at Hancock         Co., Ill.       3 Ida Belle Willis, b. 1 November 1861 at Hancock Co., Ill., m. Mastin Cox, 13         February 1881 at Hancock Co., Ill., d. 14 May 1931 at Moran, Allen Co., Ks.       4 Samuel Lee Willis, b. 11 January 1864 at Hancock Co., Ill., m. Sarah Violet         Osborn, 12 April 1896 at Allen County, Kans., d. 26 April 1939 at Iola, Allen Co.,         kans.           1 William Lee Willis, b. 13 May 1898 at Mildred, Allen County, Kans.,             m. Willie May Ashby, m. Mildred Elizabeth Higgins, 17 June 1928 at Iola,             Allen County, Kans., div. 1943, d. 20 April 1952 at Portland, Multnomah Co.             Oregon               1 Max Lee Willis, living-My spouse.           2 Helen Willis, b. ca. 1909, d. 9 March 1942 at Halstead, Kans.           3 Clara Clovis Willis, b. 11 July 1910 at Clovis, New Mexico, m. Kingdon             Hugh Noe, d. 18 August 1992 at Thornton, colo.       5 Devia Franzetta Willis, b. 8 March 1868 at Carthage, Hancock Co., Ill.,         m. James A. McCoy, 21 February 1892 at Allen County Kansas, d. 14 June 1944         at Allen County Kansas                  6 Cora Mae Willis, b. 27 February 1871 at Bently, Hancock Co., Ill., m. John M.         Setzer, 6 April 1892 at Iola, Allen County, Kans., m. John Abram Jenkins, 20 May         1901, d. 4 July 1934 at Near Mildred Allen County Kansas                  7 James Allen Willis, b. 26 April 1873 at Hancock Co., Ill., m. Martha Elizabeth         Myers, 3 March 1897 at Moran, Allen Co., Kans.       8 Perna Elizabeth Willis, b. 4 April 1876 at Hancock Co., Ill., m. William Jackson         Myers, 8 January 1899 at Near Moran, Allen County, Kans., d. 31 May 1942 at Ft.         Scott, Bourbon Co., kans       9 Elsie Maude Willis, b. 13 March 1880 at Hancock County Illinois, m. John         Wesley Myers, 27 January 1901 at La Harpe, Allen Co., Kans, d. 6 March 1907 at         Socorro, New Mexico            By searching census I find a Nancy Willis in McDonough Co as head of household in 1840. She then married Robert Boyd and had at least two more children. By 1850 she is again head of house hold. She then married a Robert Gibson and listed with him on 1860 McDonough Co. Ill Census. This is the last information I have for Nancy(maiden name unknown)Willis, Boyd, Gibson.