Selby, no offense taken here...in fact I quite agree with what you are saying...until I started researching South Carolina...it appears that the clerk sometimes didn't cross his Ts and in at least one document we have a Coate listed as Coale...in other documents we have Cote or Cotes in the documents but in the body of the document it is Coats....also Cole in some cases... So, this throws Cole and Coale into question as well...in those Salem Witchcraft trial documents, there is clearly a Sarah Coale m to a John Coale in those records but she is listed as Cole...however, there is a Sarah Cole also listed in them but she is married to an Abraham or Isaac Cole I think it was.... My thinking was if the clerk in South Carolina used all those variations, how do we know that those same variations weren't used in other parts of the US...? that has lead to some real difficulties in tracing this family here in the states...I've also seen records I believe it was in KY, they were listed either Cole or Cote in the early records but then clearly later listed as Coats... I think part of it is phonetics but part something else...not sure what...maybe you didn't always have to cross Ts in those days.... I'm afraid the colonies weren't quite as precise in what they were doing...not sure they are yet...<g>... Char ----- Original Message ----- From: Caroline Haywood Sent: Monday, March 05, 2001 4:43 AM To: COATES-L@rootsweb.com Subject: [COATES-L] COATES/COALE Dear Coates List, I am a U.K. Family Historian, with obviously an interest in COATES surname. I have not mailed on this subject previously as I had no wish to appear rude or cause discord, however I am surprised that COATES researchers in U.S. often appear to be interested in COLE/COAL/COALE as well as COTS/COTES/COATS/COATES. I would not and never have equated the two surnames, as phonetics I believe are the key; how it sounds is how people write it, accent, dialect and education all play a part. In original documents in the U.K. I have seen the same persons name spelt COATS and COATES within the same document. My understanding of the meaning/etymology of the surname is that is has the same root as COTTAGE, i.e. as in (sheep) COTE; (dove) COTE; (baby's) COT; COTTAR (cottage dweller). There is a very, very small place in Yorkshire called MUSCOATES, I am given to understand the meaning of this is 'mouse infested houses'. Imagine that. I am interested to know your thoughts on this, and I also wish to stress that I have no wish to cause offence. Regards CFH Selby, North Yorkshire, United Kingdom Researching: COATES and CHAPMAN of Palmyra, Wayne County, New York State 1848 to present Francis COATES of Trumbull, Ohio 1829 to present COATES of Hawnby, Brawby, Salton, Escrick, Deighton, Huttons Ambo etc Yorkshire.U.K. ==== COATES Mailing List ==== Coates, Coate, Coats Digital Archive: http://www.rootsquest.com/~coatsfar<br clear=all><hr>Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at <a href="http://explorer.msn.com">http://explorer.msn.com</a><br></p>