To list I have an issue with my grandfather that is disturbing to me and I would appreciate your thoughts. I have come across a probate allegedly signed by my grandfather (Joel Peyton McKinney) in 1944. However, the signature reads Joel Charles McKinney. My grandfather left my grandmother around 1925 or 1926 (after several separations), and he is known to have at least one mistress and 3 illegitimate children with her. There were bank foreclosures and debts that apparently went unresolved, so the question of his character is fairly obvious. I feel certain that this Joel "Charles" McKinney is my grandfather (also since Charles is a predominant name in the family history (including his father and deceased brother). Other "aka's" used by him were "Joseph Pate", "J.P.", and "Joe". His birth record reads Joel P. McKinney (1884), his Social Security application in 1936 reads Joel Peyton McKinney, but his death certificate reads "Joseph Pate McKinney" (Social Security # is a match). The probate mentioned above leaves a small sum of money to Joel from his deceased uncle, and the connection is important in documenting my line back several generations. It just nags at me in that I want to be certain that this recent connection has not led me to 3 years of research into the wrong line. Any thoughts ????? Thanks, Marie To subscribe, change options, or unsubscribe please see the instructions at http://listlva.lib.va.us/archives/va-roots.html