Oh dear! Hello Evan! this may be somewhat belated, but I take the liberty on behalf of the entire List of welcoming you to the list. You are probably right: we get so caught up in our own little research projects that we tend to gloss over anything unconnected to our own special interests. I imagine it must be difficult hunting for names such as Smith, but one has to try. Have you had an opportunity to check Oliver's History of Antigua or Caribbeana for any possible mention of your family? I shall take a look at the index looking for information on the name and whether there is any mention of epidemics circa 1861: I doubt that it would have been plague. It is more likely to have been cholera, which hit Barbados in 1854, and I do know that islands such as St. Thomas & Nevis were also severely hit, but I don't know whether Antigua was also. It could also have been yellow fever, which also struck Barbados in 1855. Cod probably knows more about the situation in Antigua Ernest M. Wiltshire -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Evan Ray Sent: Wednesday, December 12, 2007 8:41 AM To: [email protected] Subject: Re: Is this list alive? Well Cod, I think it is alive for certain people. I do enjoy reading some of the discussions, but I have never gotten so much as a welcome to the list. I guess if no one has relations or interests to what others do--they don't get even a "Boo". Am I feeling sorry for myself?--YES. Never mind though, it's OK. I am searching for information on my great-grandfather, John SMITH (SMYTH) who was born in Antigua in 1847. This has been a brick wall for me for quite some time. I do not know his parents' names, but his father was a government overseer of some kind. Family lore has it that in 1861 the Black Plague took John Smith's parents, so he and his sister (Lillian??) were taken to England. John was placed in a Catholic Home and never saw his sister again. I know that he emigrated to the US in 1869. From there I have the rest of the story. Any hints as to where to get more info would greatly be appreciated. Evan San Antonio, TX No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.503 / Virus Database: 269.17.1/1181 - Release Date: 12/11/2007 5:05 PM