Ardath and all, The only reason I have any problem with the bible is that no one seems to be able to prove it ever existed. No one has been able to locate a transcription of it nor copies of it, much less the bible itself. The reason family bibles are such useful info is because they are where important dates were recorded as they happen. Being written over 100 years later leaves alot to chance. I understand what you are saying and know that proof cannot be found to back up every bit of family history. But I have found far too many old family stories that were embellished to the point of total fiction. With no one finding proof of the bible, nor transcriptions or copies of it, I can't swallow it completely. I think it's a good idea if someone does check into Arvil's reference and find out if the bible is really there. When I checked into it a few years ago, I was told the library had no record of the Hancock bible. Maybe this was a mistake. If it was, I'd be the first ordering copies of it. Lisa Check out my website at http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Valley/7502/index.html ----- Original Message ----- From: "Ardath Buckaway" <bqueen@compusmart.ab.ca> To: <HANCOCK-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Sunday, July 29, 2001 8:41 AM Subject: [HANCOCK-L] The early records > Hello again to Lisa & Julia, > > I must compliment both of you on being true genealogists, but don't throw the baby out with the bath water. > > The early historians, and genealogist used info from that Bible as proof, and because no one knows where it is today, doesn't mean some of the info isn't correct. I agree, there were errors, but that doesn't mean that there wasn't useful info in it. 100 years after the fact is not a long time. > > I am a senior, and my father was born in 1897, my mother in 1903. One of my grandfathers was born in 1868. I knew them all very well. If I had no computer, and bought a Bible, even today, and wrote the things that I remember my Dad and Mom telling me, there would be errors, but I would certainly know much of what happened in the lives of my grandparents. There are some stories, I haven't been able to verify, and probably never will, but that doesn't mean it didn't happen. Because, today, I have a computer, and search world wide, some of the stuff, I have been able to throw out. My father had told me his grandfather was a no good drunk, who was not good to his family. I haven't been able to prove that because the quarter sessions for that area in England, didn't survive for this length of time. > > My mother had no birth certificate from Iowa either, but that doesn't mean, I didn't know her or my grandparents. I would not need documents, to be sure of their existance or much of their life, if I chose to write it in a Bible. Most of my children would not be interested in such a Bible, and I am sure at least 2 of my daughter in laws, would get rid of it but the whole family would know that I did write it, that the items in there were to the best of my knowledge and would know what I put in there even if they didn't own it. > > I feel there has to some validity to that Bible, since early genealogists used that info, right or wrong, in their writings, which are almost 100 yrs old in themselves. > > Keep digging. Who knows what will turn up. There are so many documents that none of us have today, but it still is possible that something may be found. > > Ardath > > > ==== HANCOCK Mailing List ==== > If you would like to submit HANCOCK Census records, Wills > or other documents to be posted on our Project Page, > contact: JuliaFWood@aol.com >