This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: Bearse, Barss, Bears Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/YOC.2ACE/860.2.1.1.1 Message Board Post: Hi Rob, Welcome to the Barss family! Which Barss do you come from ? I have alot of info and contacts on the Barss families from Mass to NS and would love to help you in any way. The first to come to NS were Joseph jr. and the family of Benjamin & Elizabeth. I believe they came for many reasons. Life in the new country wasn't quite as they thought it would be. The British and French were struggling for control of the New England coast. An ad in a Boston paper advertised an offer for free land for those who came. Also assistance would be given to them for one year. They thought life would be easier for them. Sounds like a good offer to me ! They would be able to further their indepencence with good land for lumbering, farming, lots of fish in the sea and they remained loyal to the British. I have really enjoyed researching my Barss family. They are a very interesting family. Is it just a coincident that my great grandfathers name was Robert? Hope to hear from you soon. Judy, judyw8@eastlink.ca