I am looking for the reason why My gggrandmother (Margaret Mccants Smith) Her Mother (Elizabeth Betsy Mccants Melton) and her Grandmother(Nancy Maccants) All had the same surname until the 1870 census. Nancy was born about 1810, Not sure of which "John" was her dad. Elizabeths tombstone says d. of Nancy and John...Elizabeth was b, august 10, 1833 d.Jan 21 1892...Margaret Maggie McCants Smith was b.Aug 27 1852 d. Oct 22 1927. I have them in the 1850,60,70,80 census...Betsy larried Mike Melton btween the 50 and 60 Census. Margaret married James Henry Smith (Christian Zeller) in 1867.It seems "Nancy" was like the "Matriarch" of the family. I cant find out who Margarets dad is. I dont know what John Mccants was Betsy's dad. and what happened to Nancy after 1880...Thanks for your Help!!! Im getting frustrated!