ancestry of William RAY

RAY POSSIBLY RECH OR REEK

Posted By: Donna Stene (email)
Date: 8/12/2009 at 21:55:43

I posted the message below several years ago and I'm still searching for the same William Ray. Recent census postings make me question if the spelling of the name was changed. The 1850 Federal census, p 361B lists a Willie Reek, age 6, born in Ia. The 1856 Iowa State census, part 2, Sweetland Tp, lists a William Rech, age 12. Each census also lists a Catherine of an age that correlates with the 1870 Catherine Ray. Did Reek or Rech become Ray? I still need help. Thanks.
(old message) I'm searching for the ancestry of William Ray, born Mar 26, 1844, supposedly in Muscatine County. His parents allegedly came from either France or Germany. Wm Ray married Helen Longenecker of Sweetland Twp in 1865. William was supposedly from "New Era." Helen was previously married briefly to a Wm Klepper who died in Mississippi during the Civil War. Wm and Helen Ray's first child Anna was born in Muscatine County before the family moved out of the county shortly after 1870 census. That census shows Wm, Helen, Anna in Sweetland Twp. and also a "Catherine", age 70. We don't know who Catherine was. This Catherine was born in France and conceivably could be an ancestor????
Names of cemeteries in area called New Era??
Thank You, Donna Stene