I really need help with THIS one!

The 1920 Census for Campbell Co.,TN (Civil District 5>District49>pg 7) shows an Elizabeth Casteel (line 25) as being 81 years old and a widow. She is listed as the mother to my GGrandfather James Ross. I know that his mother was Lucinda (unknown) and she was married to James W. Ross. No Casteel connection that I'm aware of.

Along with Ms. Casteel, are James' wife and children, including his son, Hiram Thomas Ross (bn ~1902). Hiram will prove to be a possible connection later in my story.

I have tried tracing this woman back through previous census records, but as you might imagine, there are plenty of `forks' which take me in different directions. Here is what I think is my best `path':

The previous Census (1910) -
Shown as Casleel
An Elizabeth Casteel is in Monroe Co., Ky (Martinsburg) > pg 9
She is born ~1837 and is widowed. Living with daughter Norry A (Nancy J as corrected by someone previously) bn ~1861. This wouldn't exactly match the age of Nancy J from the 1870 Census below, but we all know how inaccurate these can be. also listed is a Nephew, Capshaw Winford bn ~1892 Ky. they are next door to the London Casteel family and 2 doors down from the Mornan (wife listed as Head) Capshaw family.

The Previous Census (1900)-
An Elizabeth Casteel is in Laurel Co., Ky (Pittsburg Pct.) District 151> pg 20. She is born in Jul 1839 and is widowed. Shown as the Mother-in-Law to Head of household, Wiley Cole. Wiley's wife is Clerisa (Casteel?), bn ~Jul 1876 and married Wiley in 1892. There are two sons James M (bn Oct 1898) and William H (bn May 1893). There is also...a Hiram Casteel, listed as Wiley's Brother-in-Law (Clerisa's brother no doubt). He's shown to have been born in 1879, so he can't be the same Hiram that is shown as Hiram Thomas ROSS on the 1920 Census as mentioned previously. More on Hiram in a bit. :)

1880 Census- Rockcastle Ky./District 96>pg 6
Family is listed as Carteel

Elizabeth Casteel shown as the wife to James (he was bn ~1816 Ky.). Children include Granville S. (13), Mary A. (11), Margaret (8), Almirah (6) CLARA S (Clerisa??) (3), and Hiram T. (1)

1870 Census- Laurel Co., Ky./Kempers>5

Elizabeth Casteel bn 1839, wife of James (bn ~1816). Children include Nancy J. (15), Claborn W. (11), Eliza (6), Geanville (Granville?), (2), Mary A. (2). Family is living next door to Hellard family. Is Elizabeth's maiden name Hellard...maybe?



Now...Here's the `twist'!

I found what I believe to be the grave for Eliza (Cole) Casteel, in Roberts Cemetery. The Interment lists shows her as the daughter of James and Elizabeth (my mystery woman??).

Now...here's the weird part. There is also a...HIRAM THOMAS ROSS bn 01Sep1899 d. 22 Aug 1949 buried there too! He's could be MY Hiram T. Ross from the beginning of this story. My Hiram disappears after the 1930 Census for Anderson Co., TN. /District 10 (H. Thomas Ross). If he ended up in Roberts cemetery...I'd love to know how...and why.

Thanks for your time. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Steve