--=======1CA12254======= Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii; format=flowed; x-avg-checked=avg-ok-773E1C37 Greetings from a newcomer to genealogy and to this list. My father's line is Piland, variant spellings are Pylant, Pilant, Pyland, etc., sometimes also beginning with a B. Apparently there were two brothers who emigrated to Isle of Wight County, Virginia, USA, in the 1600's. It is thought by various family researchers that we all descend from these two brothers. Story goes, too, that as far back as anyone has the name is in Bristol in the late 1500's. So I thought to inquire whether anyone on this list might be familiar with that name or any of its variations, and would be able to point me in some direction on where to look. I'm just beginning my inquiries into my English lines, so am learning English history and geography at a crash pace. I haven't really any clues other than "Bristol". But there seem to be a lot of possibilities for counties in which the name might appear, so I thought to inquire here and see what you all would suggest for places to look. The only thing I know about the name in England, personally, is that it appears in a Sherlock Holmes story. So I'd be pleased to hear any other input that any might have, also to the derivation of the name, if anyone has any ideas, and so on. Thanks much. jo jo harper mailto:jharper@neb.rr.com --=======1CA12254=======--