I am trying to trace a COLBY who was a Fire Chief in America somewhere around 1900-1930 There is no further details other than he was EITHER one of two brothers who came to America around 1880-1890 or so from KILKENNY, IRELAND, OR (more likely) the Fire Chief was the son of one of those brothers. I know this is a shot in the dark, the information was passed to me by a JOSEPH Colby here in England (a relative of my wife Mary Colby) who was contacted by some Americans a few years ago, but he has lost details but is clear on the Fire Chief issue. National Fire Protection Association Quincy Mass 02169 is proving useful with the research, but would like more information on name/dates to find actual details. I appreciate any leads or ideas, thanks. Maurice S Clarke Colby Connections Com RUGBY England UK http://www.colby-connections.com Colby Family Connections - Connecting Colby family members across the world with facts, dates and people

Further researching throws up some serious info on the Colby Fire Chief who I think is HARRY COLBY http://www.franklinnh.org/fdhistory.htm " The Christian Church on South Main Street was discovered on fire on March 24, 1917. Nothing was left standing except a big chimney and a small portion of the north wall. Ray Benson of Benson Auto Company was awakened when light reflected into his bedroom window. At 3:10 am, he pulled in Box 16. The Department was quickly on the scene and Chief Colby sent in a second alarm calling out the Steamer Company, but the fire had made such headway it was impossible to enter the church building. The belfry withstood the fire for an unusually long time before it toppled over, landing spire down on the ground. " More interesting I also read " Department was to see its first full time Fire Chief in 1933. Edgar Wheeler, a long time fireman had been appointed driver in 1929. He replaced Call Chief Harry Colby, who had served since 1908. Chief Colby had entered Engine Company No. 1 in 1883 and served a total of 49 years.