List: There is new data as to connections with pre-1600s KNOWLTONs: The working sample consists of a half dozen living holders of the surname, all in North America. Each one of them enjoys two important virtues: 1) A direct paper trail back to Captain William and his only known breeding stock, his two American sons, John b. 1610 and William b.1615. We are talking some twelve generations here. 2) Genetic proof --- meticulous dna science, easily replicated --- linking all these people together; thus confirming the paper trail. [There are of course many more than half a dozen people available, but best keep it simple for now.] This situation also opens up a second trail: While genetically a match with their descendants in America, the Massachusetts progenitors were not in any way close connections of their supposed neighbors in England. Indeed their closest connections found anywhere in the world appear in seaports along the western and northern edges of the Iberian Peninsular. OK. I have deliberately held this to the bare bones. But new, exciting cutting edge research on the subject is being covered in other forums. Not to take notice of it here is to lag behind. In summary: There is good reason to believe that our KNOWLTON ancestors ca 1550 were not long term indigenous residents of England drawn from ancient stock, but rather relative latecomers who took the name from the places where they settled. Their connection with known sea traders lends creditability as to Captain William's anecdotal occupation. Indeed there is basis to support consanguinity with Iberian descendants of Phoenicians plying their sea routes; trading for tin with Cornwall, for instance As always, the devil is in the details. I am far from being a reigning authority, but to the degree that interest may arise will be glad to enlarge upon any of this. Carlisle Knowlton