Willey H Barlow

Although his name may actually have been Willie or even Wiley, he is listed as Willey H in the 1850 census report for Lawrence County, TN., under the household of John and Elvira Barlow. His age in that census record is listed as 3, placing his birth year as 1846 or '47, and his place of birth listed as TN.

• Elvira and John Barlow may have been Willey H's parents, but they may also have been his grandparents. Elvira would have been approximately 32 or 33 when Willey was born, and John Barlow would have been in his early 50s to early 60s -- John's birth year differs in various records and has not yet been clearly established.

• Interestingly, beyond 1850, neither Willey H. Barlow nor Nancy M. Barlow are listed in subsequent census reports within the John and Elvira household. The possibilities are that Nancy M. Barlow was not John's daughter, but a daughter-in-law, and Willey H. Barlow could have been her son.

• Wherever Nancy went between 1850 and 1860, she could have taken Willey with her. A second possibility is that between 1850 and 1860 Nancy married someone and moved away; and Willey H. could have passed away, accounting for his absence during the 1860 census count when he would have been approximately 13 or 14 years of age.

• Efforts to find additional information about Nancy M Barlow and Willey H. Barlow are ongoing.