Wayne Stapleton wrote a break down several months ago with the mathematical probabilities on the spellings of the last name. If Wayne does not mind an update to his list, then let me give you all a new view of his original piece. I know that some people might think this has hit the pinnacle of anal retentive thinking, but please loosen up a bit and enjoy the math. Based on the use of six letters in the spelling of the last name here are the variations of each letter by spelling order: 1st K, C, CH 2nd A, E, I, O, U, Y 3rd & 4th L, LL, LH 5th A, E, I, O, U, Y 6th M, N 7th with or without an S, E (occasionally found in English searches) Not accounting for the four letter variations and other short spellings, the math goes something like this 3X6X3X6X2X4 = 2592 possibilities. There is probably little debate as to the three spellings, Kilham, Killam, and Kelham, as being the base or root names from which all others in this country derive, but who is to say which is right or wrong when doing ones search? Again I remind all those in pursuit of there heritage to keep an open mind when looking back through your history. Many an ancestor has been lost or should I say overlooked because one fails to recognize spelling variations. When searching records like the Vital Records of Massachusetts through 1850, I always start with the "C's", then the "K's", with all the possible following vowel combinations. I thank God I have done this, for on too many an occasion I have discovered a relative whom might of otherwise been overlooked or lost. If one might transgress away from the spelling issue, I would be interested in any information pertaining to Kilham's (above rules apply) who served and or died in the French Indian Wars of the mid 1700's. One battle of immediate interest is Halfway Brook. If anyone has a list of soldiers who died in a particular conflict for this period of time please send it to me at rkilham@snet.net . Even better share it with us all at this site and or do both. Specifically, I have an immediate interest in the death date and place of death for two individuals both named Daniel Killam. The first Daniel was the last son and the second son named Daniel (first son named Daniel died shortly after birth) of Thomas Killam and Martha Solart, born in Wenham, Massachusetts, 14 August 1700; married Mary Kinney (Kinne or Kenny) of Salem, 17 February 1725 in Salem, Massachusetts; resided in the Woburn/Wilmington, Massachusetts area; had five children. His alleged date of death is 21 May 1739 with no area attached to this event. Mary Kinne Killam married next a fellow with the last name name of Buck. The second individual named Daniel Killam, is the son of the above Daniel. He was born in Wilmington, Massachusetts, 11 January 1732; married Ruth Wyman of Woburn, Massachusetts, 7 July 1755 in Wilmington; had two sons born in Wilmington; his alleged date of death is 1 November 1759 with no area attached to this event. Mary Wyman Killam married next a Samuel Butters. Any help extend to me regarding the death dates records and records of places of death for these two individuals would be more than deeply appreciated. If one has the burial information, that would be a major plus. In return I would be more than willing to give a personal tour of Kilham/Killam country on the northshore of Massachusetts as a bonus or bribe for your help. This tour includes towns, homes, museums, libraries with tons of original records, courts,cemetaries, a free copy of "Austin Kilham, Progenitor of an American Family Named Kilham/Killam" by me, and a running commentary on the family members and history from 1637 to present. As a side note, I do this for free and fun. Those who have taken this tour with me will confirm the depth of this adventure, plus the great food. I know there is one individual who probably (does have) has this information but she has been too busy to be able to answer my requests. Thus I am turning to the greater community of this web s! ite for some help in answering these questions. Rick Kilham Rick Kilham