Over the last few months the search to find proof regarding William "...of the First Fleet" origins. It might be as well if everyone concerned agreed as to what would be considered proof. This is an old chestnut but probably worth reviewing. So I would like to know the views of those descendants of William as to what they would consider proof because by agreeing the type of document required would be the best way of determining where to look. So my view is that at the very least it would be that it would require a contemporary document preferably from a recognised source. Records of births and marriages would appear to have little use in this case other than to suggest possible candidates. Recent postings to the list by Jeffrey give some possible candidates. The records of those born to him or his descendants in America actually stated where he came from. This is only liable to be in the records of the 2 children known to have been born to him but could possibly figure in the Wills of his children but I believe this has already been covered. From some details of his misdemeanors recorded in the Plymouth Colony records it would appear that they have been searched without success. What is really needed is a document that states either that he was from the Parish of his birth. or more correctly of his domicile just before he left to go to America. This is more likely to be found in the U.S could possibly be found in the Parish Records for as I have stated before it was necessary for those living in a Parish to seek the Lord of the Manor's permission to leave. Of course not everyone did this they just up and went. However by the very nature of the venture by the Mass. Bay Company it is highly likely that he would have had no problem getting permission to leave. As I have said previously I consider the search of those records to be the most likely to prove successful. The fly in the ointment is that some Parish records are in private hands. As is already known the Wivenhoe Court Records were last known to be owned by a private individual who has since died,( It is in the manor Court Records that such items as permission to leave would have been recorded). Another possible source could be the Wills,(if they made them), of the possible parents or grandparents of William who may have made bequests to him. Anybody else got any ideas where there might be a possible source of the information as to William's origins.? Keith Hume Incidentally I believe this same criteria could apply to the ancestors of Aquila and Thomas