Dear Rooters, I know this spelling is pushing the envelope...but, I am desperate. First Generation: John H. BOTUME (our family spelling) Second Generation: John H. BOTUME, Jr. My line m. Elisabeth LORD of Marshfield,MA Elizabeth Hyde BOTUME was a young adult in 1864 Third Generation: Martha (Mattie) Sofia BOTUME b. 27 Apr 1858 d. 26 Jul 1925 MA m. John Stuart ALLEY 6 Jul 1882 Fourth Generation: (a) Elisabeth Botume ALLEY b 13 Jun 1885 d. 1961 NH Resided Santa Barbara CA 1920-1953. She never married (b) Lillian Botume ALLEY b. Jan 16, 1887 (My Grandmother) m. Max Christopher SHERMAN (c) Helen Botume ALLEY b. 24 Oct 1889 m. ROBBINS Very recently I received the death certificate for Mattie Sofia Botume Alley and it gave her father's birthplace as Unadilla,NY. Prior to that I received the birth certificate of her sister Bessie Everett BOTUME which stated that both her mother (LORD) and her father (BOTUME) were born in Ireland. (apparently neither being Irish names) What a dilemma! To make matters even more complicated, I believe that generation #1 changed his name and that of his minor son from BOTTUM to BOTUME in 1846 in MA. I hope some dear soul out there can shed some light on some part of this saga. Any and all help welcome. Happy Hunting, Martha Sherman Winters Oxnard CA mswinters@mindspring.com