I was born Betty Gale Blount in Hindman (Knott County), Kentucky in 1945. I moved to Lima (Allen County), Ohio when I was 16 years old.

After my senior year of high school, I obtained an Executive Secretary Degree. I am currently Office Manager for a local commercial general contractor, Lima Contracting Company, Inc.

I am married to Carl, a great guy, who works for Ford Motor Company Lima Engine Plant as a millwright. We have 3 beautiful daughters, Michelle, Becky, and Karla and 1 handsome grandson, Jordan.

I will start with my most pressing research! I am trying to find the death record for my grandfather, AUGUST BRANTLEY BLOUNT, born 1888 in Greenville (Meriwether County), Georgia to Eli H. and Mary Jane (Smith) Blount.

A. B. was a construction worker. In 1928, he was working for Ruth Bros. Highway Contractors of Georgetown, Kentucky, building a highway through Perry County, Kentucky. He found lodging at the Napier Boarding House and there he met MINTA CALHOUN, who was an employee. They married October 7, 1928 in Perry County and had 4 children over the next 8 years.

He left home December 4, 1936 to find work and the family never saw him again!

Around 1940, Minta received word that A. B. had been killed in a cave-in while building a tunnel. The message passed through several different people over the mountain roads before it reached Minta. By that time, a lot of important information was missing from the message such as place and date. Further efforts to obtain more information failed.

My Mom was only 7 years old when her father left. She is now 70 years old and still does not know WHEN, WHERE and HOW her father died!!!

I am researching the CORNETT family of Knott County and Perry County, Kentucky. I descend from Nathaniel Woleary CORNETT and Lydia CAUDILL on both my maternal and paternal side. Therefore, I am concentrating on their descendants. I would like to correspond with anyone who has information on this line.

I am also researching the CALHOUN surname of Eastern Kentucky. I descend from THOMAS "OLD TOMMY" CALHOUN who married NANCY DAVIS. He was abducted by Indians, along with his mother, when he was just a baby on her hips. They were held in captivity in the far North country until time erased all hope of ever returning to their native home. His mother died in captivity and he escaped when he was almost 18 years old. He crossed the Ohio River and made his way South to a small white settlement on Troublesome Creek in 1798. Thomas Calhoun and Nancy (Davis) Calhoun produced at least one child, JAMES CALHOUN who married MARY "POLLY" HOGG. They became the foundation for the CALHOUN family of Breathitt County, KY. Does anyone know who Thomas Calhoun's parents were? I have been told David and Phoebe(sometimes Pharabee) but I have not been able to find documentation to support this.

I am looking for the descendants of my paternal great great grandfather’s first family. His name was REUBEN SMITH. He was born about 1806, some census say Virginia but most say Kentucky.

The 1850 census shows him in Estill County, Kentucky, age 28, with wife CYNTHIA ANN BAILEY, age 21 and son James H. Smith, age 2. Cynthia's parents were Henry and Patience Bailey.

By 1860, Reuben and Cynthia were living at Mt. Olivet, which was then in Bracken County, Kentucky. In addition to James H., their children were William R. age 7; John S. age 4; Alfred, age 2; Benjamin, age 6 months. Also living in the household was EMELY LARRISON, age 25. What relation was Emely? Her parents are believed to be David Larrison and Sally Barnes.

County boundaries changed by 1870 and Mt. Olivet was then in Robertson County, Kentucky. Reuben was still there but by then Cynthia was gone and Emely Larrison was his wife. Children listed are James H. age 23; William R. age 16; John S. age 14; Benjamin H. age 10; Susan F. age 8; David A. age 7 (my great grandfather); Reuben A., age 5; Nancy E. age 3; and Daniel J. age 10 months.

Children from David A. on down moved to Wolfe County, Kentucky with Reuben. I can find no record that the older children ever lived in Wolfe County.

By 1880, Emely must have died as Reuben was living in the home of William and Demarias Smith in Wolfe County, Kentucky and listed as William’s father. However, there was only 9 years difference in their ages!!! Also living in the home was Patsy, age 11, and listed as William’s sister. David A., Reuben A. and Nancy are all living in different homes in Wolfe County.

ANYONE DESCENDING FROM THE CHILDREN OF REUBEN AND CYNTHIA ANN (BAILEY) SMITH, PLEASE CONTACT ME.