Dear Bruce, I do agree that the Carpenter books of the 19th Century have errors. Some more than others. Just look at James Usher's work on the Carpenters. However, to suggest to take those books and hide them somewhere and only use the most current books because "The old timers missed just about everything" would be inappropiate. They provide clues and bits and pieces here and there for future researchers. The Carpenters seem to be located in or near the Du Nord area of France, around London and around Bristol in England. The commonality is shipping and trade. The "old timers" indicated that the Carpenters where well educated and well off for their day and involved in trade. This clue has been around for some time. It is nice to see it "rediscovered." The Carpenter entry into England seems to have taken place in several stages. After the invasion of England in 1066 we find several Carpenters in the Domesday Book of 1087. Later we find Carpenters in Oxford, Norfolk, Dorset, Cornwall, Wiltshire and Yorkshire, England for example. We also have evidence of an Alexander Carpenter in Conral, Ireland in the early 1200s. The next step of Carpenters in England seems to come in the late 1200's or very very early 1300s from France. This is the period we have been discussing. The simplistic one Carpenter family going into England does not appear realistic. It seems at least 3 related Carpenter family groups came over. That one or more of them stayed in England may be simply because of the start of the 100 year war with France. By then, the Carpenters were English instead of French. Remember not to throw out the baby (clues) with the wash water. Sincerely, John R. Carpenter La Mesa, CA Bruce E. Carpenter wrote: > > John: > Long have I wondered where the Maurice Carpenter discussion came from. > Thanks. The 1912 Samuel Carpenter book. Finally! I would be perfectly > willing to let Maurice into my heart, but I fear he is a figment. The real > problem with Cornwall John and Glouster Maurice and the rest of the guys is > that they are a million miles from a community of Carpenters that already > exists in Richard Carpenter's backyard. Common sense dictates that the folks > close by are most likely related. Plus the gang in and around London had all > the money. I have been standing on my head and yelling till I am hoarse that > this family line had to have shekels, be into ships and trade. Cornwall John > doesn't have the MO. I will agree though that no daddy for Richard has been > found. I'll betcha he came from the area though. > One suggestion I have for you is too take all your 19th century books, hide > them somewhere, and then check out all that has been written and compiled > since. The old timers missed just about everything. In the end I think it > was Lord George Carpenter who came up with the bogus pedagree that has > confused everyone. Naturally he had to tell the world his family descended > from knights and not from some Fleming wine and wool merchant. > BC