In a message dated 4/14/01 2:54:57 PM, rkilham@home.com writes: << Ron: I can not disagree with you a bit in your desire to expand ones informational data bases. I too have listed a string of names in order to achieve some sense of direction within a particular line, and I have shared these speculations with others. In all cases though, I have clearly described the statements for what they are, and how they were derived. >> ============= Thanks for your note, Rick, as I have been saving back a good many possible name associations similar to the made-up ones that I had mentioned as an example of why I thought that poorly documented material could be of value. However, I have hesitated to post this material for the very reason that we have had our discussions about sources for the name of Molly/Polly Parker, which are really the same names. Real cases are always better than hypothetical ones, though, so let me select one just as an example to gain some guidance on how specific information should be to seem acceptable for discussion by our list membership. We have been discussing Smith Kellam recently, and I have seen it previously reported that in 1793 he was found in records of Chatham Co, NC. Therefore, it was of interest to me in looking at the 1790 census of Chatham Co. to see the name of Daniel Kellum (1-0-0) listed adjacent to that of Frances Smith (0-0-3). Because the census had not been put in alphabetical order, this would ordinarily have meant that Daniel Kellum (a single male over 16) lived very nearby (if not next door) to Frances Smith, who was probably a widow with two daughters in her family. I do not have a single thing to cite here in the way of a connection between Daniel Kellum and his neighbor Frances Smith in 1790 Chatham Co. or of a possible relationship of either or both of them with Smith Kellam found there in 1793, but it does seem like a possibility. The possible connection at the time that I found this seemed a little too vague to me to merit presentation for discussion on the list, and from recent comments that I have seen I would still judge this to be the case. That is fine, as we simply need to make it known how much speculation seems appropriate for the list, as this type of non-specific information does drive some people up the wall. As for myself, I do not mind having to discard nine bad possibilities to find one good one. Best regards, Ron