In a message dated 98-11-13 21:17:27 EST, you write: << The relationship between Capt. Thomas and Col. John is guessed at - One noted authority on the Carters of Virginia - Dollye McAlister Elliott - who has first thought Thomas was the son of William. Dear Nancy, Good to hear from you again!! Nancy, I was not content to research the writings of just one researcher on such a complex problem, but researched many to include Elliot (a secondary source), Charles Warner, Currer-Briggs, Christine Jones, Virginia Kaufaman, Crozier, and Carlton. I followed up with personal interviews of Currer-Briggs in England and Charles Warner. All of the above have researched the families, specifically the subject outlined in our "subject." You are correct that much is a "guess" since we are dealing with as early as 1632, but the preponderance of evidence as outlined in my New Origins work (which analyzes the research of all the great researchers and synopsizes their arguments, with which I then make conclusions) which can be found at http://members.aol.com/rarebk shows that very likeley they are of the same family. Sincerely, Paul