Hi Barb, I've sort of relied on that as my fallback solution, but I can't find anything concrete to tie them to. I'd like to find at least one parent, cousin, somebody who identified the loss of several family members during some epidemic. I've looked at _http://www.geocities.com/genchatlessons/medicalplagues.htm_ (http://www.geocities.com/genchatlessons/medicalplagues.htm) and found that there is a cholera epidemic around that time, but no direct connection to it. Cholera was the cause of death of some of my ancestors in that locale, but that is for the ones I know about, not these folks. This fellow has not been an easy one to pin down where deeds, etc. exist, and he has had a confrontation with the legal system for some transgression that is once again, not documented. I've looked at the CT State Archives and not found anything more because trial transcripts weren't kept in full context at that time. I've wondered if the wife and kids left him (or vice versa) and with a remarriage hiding the names, I have no access to them. If that were the case, descendants might not even know about the circumstances. But I still want to know where the name Burrage came into the line because once Samuel F. fathered Samuel B., the name Burrage popped up over and over again. The only Burrages I see in the neighborhood are in Wallingford and environs, but no connections. Where to go now? Thanks for your thoughts, on target as usual. Carol **************Play online games for FREE at Games.com! All of your favorites, no registration required and great graphics – check it out! (http://pr.atwola.com/promoclk/100000075x1211202682x1200689022/aol?redir= http://www.games.com?ncid=emlcntusgame00000001)