The Province of Maine (counties of York, Cumberland and Lincoln) became a district of Massachusetts until it became an independent state on Mar 4, 1820. It was one of three districts. http://www.rootsweb.com/~census/states/maine/me1790.htm shows how early census records were handled for the District of Maine. Massachusetts Bay Colony claimed New Hampshire from 1640 til 1679 when it became a separate colony. "In 1691-2, Massachusetts Bay was unified with Plymouth Colony, Martha's Vineyard, Nantucket, the Province of Maine and what is now Nova Scotia to form the Province of Massachusetts Bay." http://www.answers.com/topic/massachusetts-bay-colony http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maine_District Similar issues existed between New York and Massachusetts. Dukes county was originally part of New York formed of Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket and Elizabeth Islands at the same time as New York formed King's and Queen's county. In 1691 Dukes was transferred to Mass. I bet NY wishes they had it back now? Mass now has both Dukes county and Nantucket county (the smallest). -----Original Message----- From: Shelley [mailto:meteor@nantucket.net] Sent: Sunday, January 08, 2006 1:08 PM To: MABARNST-L@rootsweb.com Subject: [MaBarnstable] HANDY in Cotuit I am looking for the parents (and more of course) for Robert C. HANDY. He is in the 1880 census of Brewer,Maine as being born in Massachusetts @ 1846.