Dear Professor Carpenter: <P>I am hoping that you may be able to shed some light on my difficulty in finding further information on my ggg-grandfather Benjamin Carpenter.&nbsp; According to family legend he was born in the state of New York (however, I have one piece of documentation which says he was born in England.&nbsp; No city, etc.), being descended from 3 brothers who came to this country at the time of Revolutionary War as Hessian soldiers.&nbsp; I haven't put much stock in this story however, since I know nearly every genealogist has a story similar to this. I do know as fact that some of his children were born in the state of New York (Oneida County). <P>Since he was born 1 May 1803 (according to his tombstone) I have been unable to find any records on him.&nbsp; I have traced my family history starting with him and ending with my grand-daughter.&nbsp; Fortunately, when my family arrived in Wisconsin they only lived in one location prior to where the following generations (up to my father) were born and raised. <P>Living in Dane County, Wisconsin and working at the University of Wisconsin-Madison I have had access to one of the nations finest historical society collections.&nbsp; Most of the information I do have on my family came from this resource.&nbsp; I have tried contacting the person who is supposed to have the records for the cemetery in which he is buried.&nbsp; My phone calls and letters have gone unanswered.&nbsp; I have bought many family history CDs only to find no information on him.&nbsp; I am not a professional genealogist, however I have been working on this for approximately 16 years.&nbsp; I have also taken a beginning and advanced genealogy class, the latter through the University of Wisconsin. <P>I have been reading with great interest your research on the origins of the Carpenters and you appear to know your subject very well.&nbsp; Therefore, I am hoping you will be able to give some advice. <P>Sincerely, <P>Linda Carpenter Fry <P>Researching the following surnames: Carpenter, Hacker, Sorn, Farwell, Bardsley, Charlesworth, Cantrell (and all variations), Reynolds and Harmon&nbsp; <BR>&nbsp;