My Great Grandfather and Grandmother were James Yancey Graves (1873-1948) and Lillie D. Cross Graves (found on  page 8 of the 1910 census on your site).  They had 7 daughters 5) Iva Lee Graves 2/1913-1980 (66) my Grandmother an identical Twin married to Alpha Lloyd Wilkinson in 1929 at the age of 16 and had 3 sons (my father is James Wilkinson second son) 6) Ima Lee b2/1913 7) Lilly J 1) Ruth 2) Lorene 3) Myrtle 4) Mable  So the last name did not survive the next generation.  I was told that he was the Sheriff of  Dawson County in the 1930-40s, but have been unable to find any law enforcement record to verify the family story. I called the Sheriff Department with no luck.  They also found oil on their farmland and  some of the family members ended up very wealthy.  I will send you the information that my father has gathered regarding the family. I was hoping to find someone there in Lamesa that might be able to steer me in the right direction, but have not finalized travel plans yet.  I have traced the Graves family back into the early 18th century as early Americans, and Lillie Cross Graves lived to be 100 and died in  1971 in the La Mesa or Akerly area and was said to be a Cherokee Indian. Unfortunately most of the stories are hard to verify as my father was estranged from the family.  My next plan was to try the telephone book to try to locate a relative. My Grandmother was born in Dawson County as Iva Lee Graves.  If by chance you know of existing family of the Graves, I would love to contact them.  My Great Grandfather was James Yancey Graves and was once the Sheriff of Dawson County. I would love to know where my grandparents are buried and if I do find it, I will send you pictures of the headstones. Anything that anyone can tell me would be more than I have now. Karen Wilkerson   <karenwilk123@socal.rr.com>

My great grandfather, William Thomas Hendon, purchased land in 1916. He moved his family to Welch in sometime around 1928. His last two children were born in Welch. William Thomas Hendon was married to Iris Lee Winn. Two of their children still reside in your county. Gene Hendon lives in Lamesa and was county commissioner during the 80's. My Gread-Aunt Berty (Current last name unknown) still lives in a small house across the street from the Dawson County School in Welch where she taught till her retirement in 1973.   I looked in all the cemetery records on your web site, and I cannot find the one that all of my family is buried in. All I can remember is the cemetery is located just south of the city on the road tht goes to Midland. Glynnis Kelley <glynnisk@texasonline.net> Posted July 2008 I am trying to find if a Rebecca "Becky" A. Whitman is buried in Brewster Co., Tx She would have been born about 1838 in Ala. and died sometime around 1897-1899 maybe in Brewster Co., Tx. Rebecca Whitman's son, William Sylvester Dunbar was reportedly buried in Elm Grove Cemetery as well as Dunbar's daughter Josie Rebecca Dunbar Weyerts.  Thanks, Mike Pruitt   <MikePruit9@aol.com> posted June 2008 I've recently started on a family history project.  I've found several references for my mother's side of the family in Dawson county, but I don't see any mention of them on your web site.  Do you have any knowledge of the following:?  Troy Texas Wall married to Cora Ina Wall.  They were in Dawson county in the 1930 census records.  Troy's father was Melvin Wall and was also accounted for, along with children Nelda, Maxine, Deward and Wendell.  Cora's twin sister Clara Ida was also married to a Wall - Martin I believe - and was in Dawson county in the 1930's.  My grandmother, Nelda Faye Wall was born in 1930 in Lamesa.  Let me know if you have any info.  Please return my email to sdlh1700@sbcglobal.net. Shanna Hairgrove Posted  March 2008