Coles/Pittslyvania/Dan river/Virginia/VW

My grandfather Roy Coles (who changed his name to LeRoy Coles later in life) was born in VA in NOV 1922. All we know is his mother’s name is Alberta Anabelle(last name unknown born around 1902 and died around 1928) and his father’s name is Enice Coles (born march 1902 in VA).

Enice Coles told my mom that his parents names were Dan and Sallie Coles and that they were slaves who ran away to the Coles plantation in Danville VA. They took the last name Coles at this time.

Known siblings were “Jean” Coles & possibly Laura Coles.

Enice must’ve left Virginia early to find work because I find all his information in the Logan, WV area. There is no record of him being in VA. He must’ve have been living there when Alberta died because Roy ended up with some family in OH when his mother passed away (maybe Alberta’s family). When Enice found out that Alberta passed he went looking for Roy and brought him back to WV.Roy had half brothers named Thomas and Marshall Coles. Their mother was Hattie Jones.

I’m trying to find solid proof of Enice’s birth and if that is really his name because there is no record of him in VA. I’m trying to justify that his parents were indeed named Sallie and Dan. A psychic lady told me once that my family is from the Applachachin Mountians and that my great, great or 3x great grandfather was a Cherokee Indian. My mother confirmed this by stating Roy said he remember either his grandfather or great grandfather visiting his home when he was young, but the man did not speak English. Enice told him it was because he was Cherokee Indian and that it was either his father or grandfather.


I’ve taken DNA test through ancestry.com and had my uncle take a test to trace back the paternal line. 3 people were identified with the last names Drane, Myhand & Sullivan.