Hold the homicide! I can't help you with your specific line, but there is some information on some Kentucky Bates branches at: http://www.genforum.com/bates/ You can flip through these and find some Email addresses and perhaps some information on your line. The KY folks seem to post frequently here. This branch has published a small volume that relates (I believe) to the founder of "Knott County." I think the KY Bates winds back through RI and/or Massachusetts. You can also do searches on different phrases like "Bates Family," "Margaret Bates," etc. using the metasearchers. Two of these are: http://www.metacrawler.com/index_power.html http://www.cyber411.com/main.htm The latter being one very big metasearcher--use this last as it is SO efficient that it takes a while and will pick up more junk. Barbara [email protected] ----------------------------- Subj: Hello Date: 9/2/98 11:25:40 PM Central Daylight Time From: [email protected] (Kaye) To: [email protected] Hi cousins, I have had a genealogists nightmare, I have lost almost all my info. It is a very long and embarrassing story. (Also very frustrating, and don't worry, although I contemplated shooting my hubby, I decided he was too cute) The work of replacing my genealogy is daunting but if I hd to replace my jhusband that would just deter me from this important task of genealogy. :D Therfore, I decided to ask for help. My Bates ancestor is Margaret BATES. Married to Payne JOHNSON Pike Co Ky. One of their children was Uriah Washington JOHNSON. Margaret was the sister to Martin Van Buren BATES Any help would be appreciated. Besides it may save my Hubbys head.:D Grins, Kaye One never knows when one tiny piece will pull the puzzle together.