This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: Kroe532 Surnames: Stainbrook, Leyson, Ayling, Oliver Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.northam.usa.states.massachusetts.unknown/6938.1.1.2.1/mb.ashx Message Board Post: Thank you for your efforts. I do have everything that you sent except for the record from the NEHGS. The Ancestry information is probably what I submitted (kroe532)with all the marriages. You suggested: "Next Steps ...Think your best bet is city directory for 1942.. as well as checking for marriage record in 1941/1942." In my last message I said that I had already written to the Waltham Public Library for city directory information and they said that Cora was only listed in 1941....no other years. Why are you suggesting that I look for a marriage record in 1942? I have the probate record (adoption) of Grace Ellen Oliver. According to the Petition for Adoption, her surname was not O'Brien, it was OLIVER. The petition reads as follows: To the Honorable The Judge of the Probate Court in and for the County of Plymouth -- Respectfully represents Arthur P. Ayling of Bridgewater in said County, and Cora B. Ayling his wife, that they are of the age of twenty-one years or upwards and are desirous of adopting Grace Oliver, a child of James A. Oliver of Bridgewater in the County of Plymouth, and Mary J. his wife, which said child was born in Watertown, Mass. on the 26th day of February, A.D. 1885; that they have no children of their own, that the said Grace Oliver has lived with them for some time and that they feel a sincere affection for her. They intend to give her a liberal education, and promote her welfare in every way. Wherefore they pray for leave to adopt said child, and that her name may be changed to that of Grace Oliver Ayling, Dated this twentieth day of January A.D. 1900. Signed: Arthur P. Ayling and Cora B. Ayling. The undersigned, being the parents of said child, ! hereby consent to the adoption as above prayed for. James A. Oliver and Mary J. Oliver. I, the child above named, being above the age of fourteen years, hereby consent to the adoption as above prayed for. Grace Ellen Oliver What's interesting is that I had someone who works at the NEGHS library search for Grace Oliver's birth record, and it could not be found. Do you suppose the Petition for Adoption made an error in her surname? I do have a copy of that record. Thanks, Carol Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board.