In a message dated 2/11/2004 11:38:36 AM Pacific Standard Time, j.b.bullock@comcast.net writes: It got me curious about Bellingham, so I checked their marriage records and found that "Mrs." was used for almost all of the brides who married from 1740 to 1798. Note that I just checked the first two surnames--Adams and Albee. (See the list below.) I agree that there could be some strange way of recording marriages in the Bellingham records for that period. However, that does not mean we can assume that ALL who were recorded as "Mrs" were not previously married. Undoubtedly, some of them WERE previously married. Therefore, some other record will need to be found to prove Sarah "Bates" parentage. I am suspicious in her case because her maiden name was not known at the time of her death. I think further digging will be necessary to sort this out. Frank, have you checked Cumberland, RI and all surrounding towns in RI? Have you checked Quaker records? How about the MA towns surrounding Bellingham? I have some resources here that I could check -- but don't have time to "reinvent the wheel" -- let me know what has already been checked (besides the things Jes posted today) for Sarah's birth or for a list of Laban's children, okay? Sue Susan M. Hillier Roe Seal Beach, CA SueMHR@aol.com "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has." Margaret Mead, 1901-1978

> > Frank, have you checked Cumberland, RI and all surrounding towns in RI? Have > you checked Quaker records? How about the MA towns surrounding Bellingham? > I have some resources here that I could check -- but don't have time to > "reinvent the wheel" -- let me know what has already been checked (besides the > things Jes posted today) for Sarah's birth or for a list of Laban's children, okay? > Sue >> No, I haven't had a chance to check the actual physical records of any of those sources for anything about Sarah's birth family. To check the actual records, I would have to go to the towns, something I won't be able to afford for a few years. My daughter's college expenses eat up most of what we make. I have two more years of tuition to pay and then maybe we can take a vacation to RI / MA and do some checking. Sarah has been hanging around in limbo for a long time -- I guess she won't mind being put back on the shelf for a couple of more years. I appreciate what you have posted and, no, I don't want you to reinvent the wheel, either. One time, I spent my lunch hours for five days here in Maryland researching old Quaker records for a woman who asked for my help, saying she had no information about someone. When I sent her the copies, she sent a note back saying she already had that information and couldn't I find anything new! I know how frustrating that can be. Thanks, Frank