Hello Melva and Jean, I maintain a web site devoted to Stephen Hart and his descendants, located here: http://users.rcn.com/harts.ma.ultranet/family/harts/ Among other things you can join a (low volume) mailing list at the web site that descendants of Stephen Hart use to ask for information and to share what we know. The entire contents of the book "Deacon Stephen Hart and his Descendants" by Alfred Andrews is available at my web site for anyone to use. I've added some updates and corrections to the 600+ pages of the book available at the web site and I am always looking for more contributions (or corrections). There are a number of Joseph Harts listed in the index of the book here: http://users.rcn.com/harts.ma.ultranet/family/andrews/p591.html (I've extended the index with names that were omitted in the original index and with names I've added. My extensions are in italics in the index.) Unfortunately the Joseph Hart that you describe is not listed in the book. Your Joseph may still be a descendant of Stephen Hart, though, as many lines are lost and never followed in the book. One possibility that might be interesting to check on is Joseph Hart of Pompey, NY: http://users.rcn.com/harts.ma.ultranet/family/andrews/p071.html#n77 He might possibly be a grandfather of your Joseph. I'm only guessing, based on the name, so this is a stretch that would need to be researched. I've received no information, beyond what's in the book, on the Joseph Hart of Pompey, NY. I should warn you that not all Harts in CT and certainly the rest of the country are descendants of Stephen Hart. There are dozens of other Hart families in the US and Canada. Harts born in NJ, especially at that early date are seldom related to Stephen Hart. There is another large Hart family in NJ, (including John Hart, the signer of the Declaration of Independence) that you might want to check. Stories exist and have been perpetuated to this day that John the Signer was born in CT. This appears to be incorrect, as John the signer is now known to have been born on Long Island, NY, to a family unrelated to Stephen Hart. Richard Hart, Descendants of Stephen Hart: http://users.rcn.com/harts.ma.ultranet/family/harts/ JEAN PAYTON wrote: Dear Melva: There is a lot of Hart information in Hartford, Connecticut. There is also a book called "Dea. Stephen Hart and his Descendants" by Andrews. Hart Genealogy at the library in Hartford. Also if you go to the County Clerks office there you will find birth, marriages, and deaths of the Hart Family from whence they first came. Since you stated his father was born in Connecticut I am sure you will find the info you are looking for. Also look in the New England Marriages prior to 1700 by Torrey and you will find Harts. I believe we are all descendants of Stephen Hart of Connecticut. I visited Farmington, Hartford County, CT several years ago and obtained info from the Clerks office on the Hart Family and also on the Hawley Family which were very prominent between 1600 and 1800s. I also have a Joseph Hart in my line who had a daughter Mary Hart who was born in 1730. You might also want to check the library in Farmington, Hartford Co. Connecticut for info on the Hart family. I also went to the Town Clerks office in Farmington, Ct and got a lot of info on the hart Family. Jean Payton ----- Original Message ----- From: "Melva McClellan" <melmac7@earthlink.net> To: <HART-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Tuesday, April 15, 2003 10:56 PM Subject: [HART-L] Joseph Hart I have been searching for my Joseph for the last 10 years and have given up and will now start writing my family book. I know that he was born in NJ in about 1810 and died in Il and was buried in Wisc in 1881. In between, he lived in Herkimer County NY and married Adeline Dickins. They had 4 boys before moving to Wisc in about 1849. The 1880 census stated that his father was born in CT and his mother NY. Thought I would put out one more query before I start writing. Any one see any connections with my Joseph Hart. Mel melmac7@earthlink.net