I've come across a probate file for a relative, Patrick Dolan. Patrick died in 1905, San Francisco. However, his probate file was lost in the 1906 earthquake and had to be refiled by administratix, his niece, Mary (Kelly) Meincke. Patrick had no surviving wife or children, so the estate was to be divided among his nieces and nephews by sister, Catherine (Dolan) Kelly. In the course of refiling, relatives back in Boston, protested the probate claiming they were the sole heirs. They were Bridget (Coyne) Wall of Boston, Patrick Coyne, Thomas Coyne, and Mary Collis. Bridget, Patrick, and Thomas were the children of Margaret (Dolan) Coyne. Mary Collis was the illegitimate daughter of Bridget Dolan. The final decree occured in 1908, but the probate was not closed until 1915. By 1908, Thomas Coyne had died. I've never done research for Boston. Can someone give me some ideas as to how to research this family? Is it possible to locate Thomas Coyne's death information and obituary? What other resources should I look for? Are their birth, death, and marriage indexes for Massachusetts for 1900-1920? I have exhausted the San Francisco resources. It appears the Kelly & Dolans originated from Co. Roscommon, Ireland. I can only pinpoint that immigration occured before 1849 when Martin & Catherine (Dolan) Kelly's first child, Margaret, was born. Any suggestions on how to figure out the Boston cousins would be appreciated! Thanks Melody A Website for Portuguese Hawaiian Researchers islandroutes.com