Hello, I've been reminded that I should have shown my excitement -- when I told you about the "old photos" we now have -- which pretty much show that the Adoptive couple of my grandmother "were" related to her. So on this early-morning message, I'll say, HOORAY !! YIPPEE !! FINALLY !! :o) I see that yesterday's early morning brain also caused a typo or 2. :o( I have 2 excuses for not being overly excited. One is that I have known in my heart for over 5 years that the Dexter couple "were" related to my grandmother. That is why I've researched their ancestors for over 5 years. That would have been DEXTER / ALLEN and CLARK / MANCHESTER of 1700's RI, CT, MA. (Through the MANCHESTER / TOMPKINS couple, I'm told there is a "Mayflower" ancestor.) One problem, IF I had ever started typing up a data base of my ancestors, how do you include people who you "think" is an ancestor? :o) My other excuse is that I've had many things going on in my extended family this summer, and I've got many things to think about. So I'm more tired than usual. I've even volunteered to help solve a "neighborhood problem" where I live. What's that old expression? Too many irons in the fire - or something like that? (On the BBC Show, "Cash in the Attic," right now, they are showing a man's large collection of "historic IRONS." One of them is a special iron for -- curling ribbon !) Have a pleasant week ! Betty (near Lowell, MA, USA) (Don't forget that I type up a great many messages to the Lists at 5 am. This morning it was 4 am. And, I don't drink coffee !) (Early to bed; early to rise; makes a woman healthy, wealthy, and wise. I've just wondered for a great many years -- what happened to the wealthy part of that.) :o)