Missy, I think it's a great idea! I would love to see the pics of the RI branch..that is where I am from...most of my Bates lived and died here. I only knew a few and I can't say that there is any inherited trait other than having many, many children! Regards, Terry -- Terry Wholey,Kent County Contact - TWholey@genexchange.org Kent County, RI GenExchange http://www.genexchange.org/ri/kent/ RIGenExchange http://www.genexchange.org/ri/index.cfm