Hello, I just found out (4 am) :o) that this familyl hasn't been mentioned on the List for a while. I think my posting from 6 years ago summarizes it. I'll have to check the archives of the surname Lists to make sure there isn't updated information on the family: http://archiver.rootsweb.ancestry.com/th/read/genmassachusetts/2002-11/1036842410 Gilbert and Mary (TOMPKINS) MANCHESTER came from families in Little Compton, RI. A long-time researcher in CT was trying to "prove" that Mary was descended from John ALDEN. I don't know if she succeeded. I just checked the archives of the Bristol Co. List and it shows the researchers "find" in 2002 - which shows Rhoda's parents as Gilbert and Mary. http://archiver.rootsweb.ancestry.com/th/read/mabristo/2002-10/1035851505 This is the researchers posting from 2002 on the "Mayflower" List: http://archiver.rootsweb.ancestry.com/th/read/mayflower/2002-11/1037759082 Just thought I would restart this discussion. Betty (near Lowell, MA) FYI: My grandmother's long, complicated story has been told on this List many times. So, I'd like to say that, all her life (d1967), and up until 1997, no one knew who her birth-parents were. So, she was of an unknown heritage. IF a "true miracle" happens, and I can prove that John and Mary (CLARK) DEXTER, her adoptive parents were also her grandparents, than Mary's mother, Mrs. Rhoda (MANCHESTER) (LAVARE) CLARK, was her great-grandmother. And, thus, my grandmother would have been descended from a "Mayflower" family - IF it has been proved. John and Mary DEXTER "knew" who her birth-father was, and they never told her. And, I have no way to find out. But, I believe a YOUNG professional genealogist was able to find out, but his family "won't talk." I believe that their daughter in CT, Mrs. Clara YOUNG had a pregnancy outside of her marriage. This also means that, if proven, my grandmother would have been descended from Rev. DEXTER, the patriarch, etc. (And, whichever patriarch / ancestor James CLARK/E was descended from.