I have been researching my father's family, and while there is quite a bit information out on the maternal line, the Ellis line has deadended with my great-great-grandfather. Part of the problem is that there are 3 different "official" records that have his father born in 3 different states. Our family are long-time Ohio residents (southeast), but the three records have found have me 3-times great-grandfather born in Ohio, Pennsylvania and New Jersey. His name was probably James Ellis (a common name in the family). His son was born in 1836 in Jefferson County, Ohio. Although my great-great-grandfather was a Civil War veteran, I cannot find him listed in the 1850 or 1860 Census. His name is William Shannon Ellis. Anyone have any tips on how I can find information that proves which state his father was born in?