late guardian would, I think, most likely mean that he is no longer the guardian and that this is just winding up his administration of the estate. As to who took over, that should be in those records also, probably elsewhere. Even if they or the guardian were not in Worcester, if the land was still there I think Worcester would still be keeping track of it. Unless it had been sold? When minors reached the age of 14, they were able by law to petition for a different guardian. Probably a most helpful thing would be to find out just what the laws were regarding this sort of thing at that time, and I absolutely have no idea where that information is or might be nowadays. Generally if someone was deceased, the record would say deceased. Usually "late" seems to have meant formerly, whether the party had moved or was no longer in charge or some such thing. One often sees "late of such and such a place" or "late the wife of X (and now she has a whole new surname)". At least, that is how I have been interpreting these things. Elizabeth In a message dated 7/14/2010 10:53:36 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time, [email protected] writes: According to the Worcester Co. Orphans Court Records it states that a balance due Luther Ball and Delia Ball from Christopher Ball, late guardian 13 Jan 1814, recrived of Mr. Christopher Ball. I know that a Christopher Ball was Luther and Delia's guardian when their father died in 1811. Is this record saying that the original Christopher Ball died and another Christopher Ball gave them the balance due? OR could their guardian changed from one Christopher Ball to another Christopher Ball and it was the 2nd Christopher Ball who received the Balance due? I know Luther and Delia were still minors in 1814. I don't understand the record. Thanks for your clarification. Clare *************************************** QUESTIONS about POSTING GUIDELINES, SUBSCRIBING or UNSUBSCRIBING? Visit The Lower DelMarVa Roots Mailing List FAQ: http://www.tyaskin.com/handley/ldrfaq.htm ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to [email protected] with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message