Hi Judy, On Mar10, you wrote " While digging for other old records, I came across 5 generations of family group sheets starting with Daniel Staples Bates, Alfred Bates Sr.,Alfred Merton Bates Jr., Harold Sage Bates, and Edgar Alfred Bates (both wives). They are very complete, if this line connectects to any one, I will be glad to provide info." Do your group sheets have an Almira Bates on it? She was born probably around 1800 either in Bennington Co VT or in MA, married Thomas Shaff in the early 1820's and lived in Oswego Co NY from then until 1835. This is a shot in the dark! Wayne Olsen Bonney Lake, WA