This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: MargaretAnnKerr Surnames: Elsey, Elza, Thompson, Rivies, Wilson, Ray Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.northam.usa.states.westvirginia.counties.preston/2763/mb.ashx Message Board Post: I post this here to see if anyone has any additional information! As some of you may know, I have spent much time on the puzzle that is my American progenitor grandfather of the Elsey family, Edward! Edward Elsey was the father of my next grandfather in that line, Thompson Elza. We believe that Thompson was born about 1806 and that in 1821 Levi Coberly was appointed his guardian (document on file in Randolph County). Thompson's mother was Sarah "Sally" Thompson. It may be that Sarah died at childbirth as we have no record of her death. In 1811 (marriage certificate is on file), Edward Elsey married Cicily Rivies (who was believed to have been about 15-16 at the time) in Hardy County. As far as I can ascertain, there were 3 children born to this marriage: Margaret, Catharine and Dorotha. There is no marriage record for Margaret; Catharine was married to a Hiram Wilson and Dorotha was married to a William Ray. I am now in touch with a descendant of the last marriage through Dorotha & William's son, Jacob Ray. She sent me a photo of Jacob Ray and I find a resemblance from that photo to those I have of my next grandfather, Edward's grandson & Thompson's son, Solomon Elza. As I previously mentioned, there is no death record for Sarah "Sally" (Thompson) Elza, daughter of David & Anna (Dabney) Thompson. There is no death record for Edward Elsey (we just believe he had to die before Levi Coberly was appointed Thompson Elza's guardian in 1821). There exists a record to show Edward Elsey, along with Nicholas Elsey (believed to be his son just previous to Thompson), at a sale in 1819 in Hardy County. There is also no death record that can be found at present for Cicily Rivies, although there are census records to indicate that she lived a fairly long life. If anyone has any information of any kind regarding any of this, please contact me! I can be reached via email at: margbeckwith@verizon.net or by phone at: (304)636-6440. Any assistance will be greatly appreciated! Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board.