Hi Nadine,

Since she was listed as 46 in 1920 - let's assume he was close to her age or a little older - which means he would be listed in 1880 census.

Have you looked for a marriage certificate for them? It might name his parents.

Have you looked for a death record - that might also indicate something - names of parents...place of birth including county,

Did he serve in WWI? See if there is a military record for him.

Did he belong to any fraternal - or masonic organizations - local churches on LI?

Was there an obituary at his death?

If that is impossible - then you have to do some detective work - there are about 6 Charles A. Scott's listed about the correct age (assuming the close ages between the two) in VA in 1880.

You would need to cross check them - and see which disappear from VA.

One question - was he mulatto?

There was only one mulatto Charles A Scott in VA in 1880.

This of course assumes that he is in census as Charles A - and not simply Charles Scott - there are quite a few of those.

It isn't impossible.

Denise