This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: apsaroke Surnames: Greenwood, Gemecker, Hitchcock Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.northam.usa.states.iowa.counties.fremont/7407.1/mb.ashx Message Board Post: I'd be interested to know the source of this, as you are correct that it is untrue. If you got it from me it was either an error on my part or misinterpreted. James first came to California in the 1848 journey. He was in Coloma from late 1848 until about 1852 and was present when Caleb died in about 1850. The diarist in 1844 was correct in counting only John and Britton. William came on a later trip, as I believe it was stated that he was with his father at a base camp during the Donner Party rescue while Britton continued on to the lake with the 2nd relief. Boggs may have been there as well, but at the moment I don't recall any reference to him at that time as of this point. It would seem odd that William would have come out while Boggs, who was older, would have remained behind. The diarist on the 1848 trip, Rufus Burrows, DID neglect to mention some of Caleb's kids. I think these diarists paid little attention to kids unless they were teens or perhaps babies born on the trip or perhaps died, so an ommission really does not prove much of anything anyway. James' aunt stated that she lived with Mrs. Nancy Hitchcox [sic, Hitchcock] (Rufus' wife) from the time her sister died [1843] until they (all) left for California in 1848. James stated that his aunt had lived with the family from infancy and left his [James'] father's house to be married in 1849. I cannot reconcile this with the account of kids living with Gemecker. Perhaps girls stayed with Hitchcock and boys with Gemecker, but without seeing the actual reference it's hard to say. Caleb and I believe John signed up for some military unit at Sutter's Fort in 1845, but I don't believe either actually served in that. As you know, John did later serve in the California Battalion from 30 Oct 1846 to 20 Mar 1847. 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.