To the list subscribers: Here is a little sidelight to genealogy research that I would like to share. It is not so interesting for many of you since I suppose there is noone on the list who has the common ancestor with me of Nicholas Carpenter (#8093, Carpenter Memorial)b. abt 1798 in North Waterboro Maine. Carpenter Memorial line as follows: Nicholas(8093)-John(1765)-Nicholas(708)-Thomas(205)-Oliver(54)-Abiah(21)-William (16)(Rehoboth). But it is a story of how one can convert limited family handdown stories to the likely lineage. Amos B. Carpenter's book states that Nicholas Carpenter(#8093, Carpenter Memorial) married Dinah ( I say it is Sally by Canada census records.) King on March 20, 1821. Says in this book that he left immediately for St. Sylvestre Canada. Well folks, I am here in St. Sylvestre region for the second time to expand on the life of Nicholas and his family. I already told a little of this to George Carpenter on our list, but to reiterate. Nicholas had 7 sons and one daughter here in Canada. His third child, second son was ( I think by family lore) my great great grandfather John, born March 18, 1825. John ran away from home at age 14 with a horse and $5. Well, do you think he was sent on his way with good wishes in 1839 in q dirt poor family? I don't think so! three of the sons disappear from all mention in docs I copied from the Archives in Quebec. Wonder why that was? They were documented in Amos B.'s book and appeared in the 1831 census (not by name as you know in 1830) but the ages and sexes correspond exactly with 5 children Nicholas had at the time. Since the 1840 census is not archived, (pity) I can't see the most critical year. In 1850, there are only 3 sons in the census and all of them are grown. This time I am after newspaper clippings of the death of Nicholas (fractured skull Dec 18, 1861 hmmmm!) or any other docs which expand on the life of the family. since they were listed in the census as living in a shanty (compared to others who had a "frame" house) and they were living there for almost 30 years! In a history of the region, it lists Nicholas as holding 180 acres and it says 1827, but Amos B . says 1821 they left for Canada. so another mystery is what happened in the 6 years in between. Documents I have copied from the Notary Public records in Quebec suggest that this family might have been somewhat dysfunctional, as the widow Sally was abandoned by the one son that was legally supposed to care for her. By taking him to court, she succeeded in returning to the home and being cared for until her death in 1875. The remaining siblings moved back to the US sometime after 1861 -1882 according to the census and they moved to Indiana or Michigan (Carpenter Memorial). I would like to contact any descendants of the other children of Nicholas (#8093) to see what family pix, docs or hand downs exist. Well, the summary here is that from a birthdate, the place as Canada, and family stories, I was able to tie down the parents Nicholas and Sally, of my g-g gfather John (#8100). Although I don't have primary docs proof, I am hoping to uncover this in Maine next few weeks. My g-g-gfather, NEVER told the family who his parents were, their names, or the exact place of his birth. I suspect strongly that he was afraid of being prosecuted for the theft of a horse and money. It is only by luck that only ONE John Carpenter was born in Canada in 1825. Not strong evidence, but I am looking for more. What should I be looking for? I have the probated document at death called a "cession and abandon" which is a will that the courts develop from the heirs wishes, I guess. It lists some of the children on the doc, but since my g-g gfather ran away and several other sons left, there are only three sons and a daughter listed on the doc. A couple of days here and then I am off for North Waterboro Maine, and Somersworth NH to get more stories besides lineage about this line. If anyone who is subscribing has a common ancestor in the Nicholas Carpenter born 1739 prob. Somersworth NH (#708 in the Carpenter Memorial, by A.B. Carpenter), and would like me to research info on him, as he was the first settler of North Waterboro Maine, just mail to me directly. I am checking mail daily. The children of Nicholas #708 were 14. 10 by Mary James and 4 by Hannah Hill. Since they were all born in North Waterboro and settled near him (except Benjamin). Hope this is helpful to someone. It is a little different than the usual postings asking or telling about lineage dates and names. cheers -- ************************************************** | Jerry Carpenter, Managing Principal | | CCS - Continental Consulting Strategies | | Phone/Fax 253-891-3090 | | mailto:jcarp@ccstrat.com | | http://www.ccstrat.com | **************************************************