Point of clarification... but can anyone address the history of the BOTTOM vs BOTTOMS families? I read that we may have all been from the English surname LONGBOTTOM. As a Bottoms research novice (under 4 years), I propose the following observation: In the 1600's to 1700's colonies (notably around VA), Longbottom was shortened to either Bottom or Bottoms. But once the family name changed, there is little evidence that it ever changed back or forth between the two, other than an occasional gravestone or document typo. In other words, once Bottom becomes Bottoms (or vice versa), there is no reason to look more recently down the time-line for a connection between the two families. Comments from experienced researchers? Dave Davis St. Louis, MO dda@inlink.com