I’ve “rescued” a group of papers including the Last Will and Testament of Dwight DEANE of Burlington, Vermont.  Based on limited research I was able to locate members of this family and have included my own research notes below. The will itself is a number of pages long and I haven’t transcribed it, however, the following people are specifically mentioned in the document: Copy of the last will and testament of Dwight DEANE and of the probate of the same, dated 11th January 1838, probated 14th August 1839 I Dwight DEANE of Burlington in the Count of Chittenden and State of Vermont being in a low state of health and sensible too… Note – I find record of Dwight DEAN in the 1820 census of Burlington, VT My beloved wife Abagail DEANE Land which Ozias BUELL decreed to me on 16 Jan 1829 My son Thales DEANE of the State of Michigan Note – 1860 census of Walker, MI includes this family: Thales DEAN, age 57, a Farmer, born VT Maria H. DEAN, age 41, born NY Emeline E. DAILEY, age 17, a Domestic, born Canada My daughter Abagail MURTON wife of Russell MURTON of the State of Michigan My son Garius S. DEANE of the State of Michigan Note – 1860 census of Grand Rapids, MI includes this DEANE Family Gains S. DEANE, age 53, a Master Machinist, born VT May J. DEANE, age 50, born VT Charles H. DEANE, age 20, a Master Machinist, born MI Frederick S. DEANE, age 18, born MI Ellen L. DEANE, age 16, born MI Albert G. DEANE, age 10, born MI Matilda SHUTE, age 20, a Domestic Julia E. MORTON, age 23, a Teacher, born MI Elizabeth A. RAMSEY, age 47, a Teacher, born NY 1870 census of Grand Rapids, MI: Gaius S. DEAN, age 63, a Foundryman, born VT Mary J. DEAN, age 60, Keeping House, born VT Frances E. W. DEAN, age 33, Teaching School, born WI Mary L. DEAN, age 11, born IL Hattie L. WYMAN, age 28, Teaching School, born NY Minnie VREALAND, age 24, Domestic, born Holland Eunice DEANE daughter of my brother Elijah DEANE of Mansfield in the County of Bristol and Commonwealth of Massachusetts Note – I find record of Eunice Shepard DEAN b. 3 May 1818 the daughter of Elijah DEAN and Sarah GUILD My nephew Daniel DEANE son of the aforesaid brother Elijah DEANE Note – 1860 census of Mansfield, MA includes the family as follows: Daniel W. DEAN, age 47, a Basket Peddler, born MA Saonia DEAN, age 45, born ME David W. DEAN, age 14, born MA Sally C. DEAN, age 11, born MA Alberta H. DEAN, age 6, born MA Henry D. MELVILLE, age 21, a Seaman, born RI 1870 census of Mansfield, MA: Daniel W. DEAN, age 57, a Road Builder, born MA Sessina DEAN, age 55, Keeps House, born ME Daniel W. DEAN, age 24, a Farmer, born MA Allston DEAN, age 16, at Home, born MA Geo F. CROCKETT, age 31, at Home, born MA Sarah G. CROCKETT, age 21, Keeps House, born MA Edward SWEETTAND, age 60, Works on Farm, born MA William JACKSON, age 24, Works on Farm, born VA John PHILLIPS grandson of Nathan WILLIAMS late of Mansfield My grandson Hiram H. DEANE eldest son of my son Herman W. R. DEANE Note – 1880 census of South Burlington, VT includes this family: Hiram A. DEAN, age 48, a Farmer, born VT, parents born MA Irene C. DEAN, Mother, age 77, born MA, parents born VT/CT Lize A. DEAN, Sister, age 40, Keeping House, born VT, parents born MA 1900 census of South Burlington, VT: Hiram DEAN, age 68, born Mar 1832, born VT, parents born MA/VT Eliza DEAN, sister, age 60, born Sept 1839, born VT, parents born MA/VT My grandson William DEANE son of the aforementioned son Herman W. R. DEANE Executor is Herman W. R. DEANE, son Note – 1860 census of Burlington, VT includes this DEAN Family H. W. R. DEAN, age 61, a Farmer, born MA Dorana DEAN, age 57, born VT Hiram A. DEAN, age 28, a Farm Laborer, born VT William H. DEAN, age 24, born VT Elisa A. DEAN, age 20, born VT Emily M. DEAN, age 18, born VT 1870 census of South Burlington, VT: Herman W. R. DEAN, age 71, a Farmer, born MA Sorena DEAN, age 68, Keeping House, born MA Hiram A. DEAN, age 37, a Farmer, born MA Ella A. DEAN, age 30, at Home, born MA Charles GILBERT, age 20, a Farm Laborer, born NY Also included with the will are three additional papers: A letter to Daniel DEANE of Mansfield, MA advising him of the property which was willed to him by his Uncle Dwight DEANE Paper titled “Directions for Conduct” Letter to Mr. Elijah DEANE of Mansfield, MA I am hoping to be able to return the papers to a member of this family so that they can once again become a cherished family possession. If you are a member of this family, or know someone who might be, please contact me. Thanks, Shelley

As I am sure many of you know, the NEHGS has digitized the handwritten vital records for many towns and counties from 1841 - 1910. I consider these excellent sources, but I am finding that some incidents are recorded in more than one book. For example, the death of Mary S. Akin is recorded in the New Bedford Vital Records for 18 Nov 1874. The same death of Mary Akin is also recorded in the vital records for Gosnold, Dukes Co., MA for 15 Nov 1874. The New Bedford records states that the place of death is Nauchacon (probably Naushon) Island. The Gosnold record says that the place of death is Gosnold (the town that includes all of the Elizabeth Islands). Based on this I am reasonably certain that these two records are for the same death. I am trying to understand the process that was used to record these vital statistics. Does anyone know how one death can get recorded in more than one county? Thanks for your interest. ----- Original Message ---- From: Robert Akin <robert_akin@yahoo.com> To: mabristo@rootsweb.com Sent: Friday, September 29, 2006 3:08:40 PM Subject: Re: [MABRISTO] Israel Allen Hi Carol. I think that perhaps you didn't look close enough at the entry. I found the entry on the NEHGS Web Site in the New Bedford Vital Records to 1850. It says, and I quote, "1823, ALLEN, Israel, Feb. 16, 1823+[ch. Stephen (s. Robert and Esther) and Hannah B., C.R.3. In lot with Emily H., G.R.3.] Record Type: Birth; Town: New Bedford" So as with the data from "Vital Records of Rhode Island" by James Arnold that I cited in my earlier posting, both sources show Israel Allen to be the son of Stephen and Hannah B. Allen. The New Bedford record also states that Stephen Allen was the son of Robert and Esther Allen. Robert Akin ----- Original Message ---- From: Carol H <choughton215@yahoo.com> To: mabristo@rootsweb.com Sent: Thursday, September 28, 2006 6:24:10 PM Subject: Re: [MABRISTO] Israel Allen Hi Larry Yes I went to NEHGS and did a search in the Vital Records for Mass up until 1850. It was listed right there. Carol Sherman Houghton --------------------------------- Do you Yahoo!? Get on board. You're invited to try the new Yahoo! Mail. ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to MABRISTO-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to MABRISTO-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message

Hello, I was wondering if anyone could do a newspaper obit lookup for me? I am looking for Florence E. Porter who died in Fall River Mass on May 29, 1977. If anyone could find this for me in the Fall River Herald or the Providence Journal, I'd be very grateful. I live in Bermuda and can't access things like this. Thanks, Jessie _________________________________________________________________ Express yourself instantly with MSN Messenger! Download today it's FREE! http://messenger.msn.click-url.com/go/onm00200471ave/direct/01/

Hi Again Everyone, I want to send this with a great big Thank-You for all who responded to my query for Nancy Norton's parentage , ancestry, and other extremely helpful information. . You are all terrific, and a great asset to those of us subscribed to this list. The Downs / Norton side of my husband's ancestry had me running in circles for a little while ... and now I can pursue further research . Thanks Again & With Much gratitude , Andrea

Additional information on Nancy Norton's possible ancestors - - According to Attleboro records Warren Norton died 14 Dec 1863. He was listed as a pauper b. Attleboro, no parents listed on the record. His age was listed as 68 but there was a question mark next to the age. In 1860 there is a Warren Norton in the census in Attleboro - and it also lists him as a pauper. Attleboro birth records gives a Warren b. 28 Nov 1791, son of Thomas Norton and Sibel Starkey. Attleboro Marriage records show a marriage (Int.) for Thomas Norton and Isable Starkey, both of Attleboro. 22 July 1774. Attleboro birth records list a Sibel Starkey, daughter of Andrew and Sibel bp. 23 Oct 1752. Attleboro marriages have Andrew Starkey m. Sibel Fisher of Norton 4 May 1749. NEGHS online records have these Norton records: FISHER Sibell, ch. Nathaniell and Deborah, June 26, 1726. Birth Norton FISHER Sibell [int. Sybil] and Andrew Starkey of Atelborrough [int. Attleboro], May 4, 1749. Marriage Norton

A follow-up on Warren and Huldah Norton: Thomas Wright has them on his Rootsweb WorldConnect file with a lot of information on Huldah's ancestors. His database on Worldconnect is named tcwlmo Name: Warren NORTON Birth: in Of Attleboro, MA Marriage 1 Huldah CUTTING b: 1793 in Attleboro, MA Married: 1817 in Attleboro, MA Otis NORTON b: 1817 in Attleboro, MA

According to her Attleboro marriage record, her parents were Warren and Huldah Norton. In 1850 there was a Huldah Norton 57 living in Attleboro. Huldah d. Oct 6 1856 in Attleboro. Death record lists her as wife of Warren.

Hi All , I am seeking information in regards to Nancy M. NORTON b. ca. 1826 possibly in Bristol County . She m. in Attleboro ,MA in 1848 to Theodore Shedric DOWNS ( or Downes). They had a son Charles b.21 August 1849 in Attleborough . In 1850 (Census) they were residing in Milford ,Worcester ,MA with head of household , Jonathan Pierce . In 1860 they were in Bridgewater ,Plymouth,MA , 1870 ~ Mexico,Oxford, ME , 1880 Census ~ North Surplus, Oxford, Maine. Their Children : i. Ann M. b. ca. 1847 ii. Charles N. b. 1849 m. 1875 in Cumberland,RI to Mary Melinda DESNOYERS . iii. Sarah R, b. Mar or May 1852 m. Henry A. ALLEN iv. William E. b. ca. 1852 (twin ?) v. John F. b. ca. 1857 vi. Harriet C. b. ca. 1860 m. 1884 in Jay ,ME , Asa FLAGG vii. Theodore Lincoln b. 26 March 1862 m. Fannie A. JORDAN viii. Evelyn A. b. ca. 1867 ix. Henry F. b. ca. 1871 I am hoping to find some parental lineage for Nancy . From postings by others there has been a strong indication of her being Native American, possibly Passamaquoddy ?. Any help to find Nancy's parents would be of great help and greatly appreciated . I am guessing her surname may be spelled with some variation of Norton , such as Naughton , , or ? Thank - you , Andrea Brown

Hi Jessie, In Massachusetts, we have a "100-year rule." So, next year you should be able to formally "apply" to have the Adoption record opened ! I believe it must be done in person. However, if you write to the "Family and Probate Court" for Suffolk County in MA, you could ask if it can be done by mail, or whether a non-family member could represent you in the case ! I went through the process in Family and Probate Court in Middlesex County, MA, about 4 years ago. My grandmother had been born in 1889 and was adopted in 1892, so 100 years had passed. I had to first contact the Courthouse to find out what the procedure was, then I had to investigate a little, and then get the "application" ready to return to the appropriate office. When I finished that part of the process, I was told to come to the Clerk of the Court's office - with all my paperwork, and be ready to -- stand before a Judge ! One of the things I had to bring with me was "proof of descendancy" which included my grandmother's death certificate and my mother's birth certificate - and mine ! And, they wanted a paragaph or two on "why" you wanted the Adoption record opened ! Unfortunately, there were only a few sheets of paper in the folder and they only provided a few details which I didn't already know ! Plus, there was "no" birth certificate in the folder. I was told different things by different people, but the consensus was that there should have been a birth certificate issued when she was born (in MA or CT), and there should have been another certificate issued at the adoption. My research shows that "none" exists - anywhere ! Suffolk County Probate Court Clerk Old Courthouse - Pemberton Square - Boston, MA 02108. Probate & Family Court 24 New Chardon Street - 3rd Floor - Boston, MA 02114 Phone: (617) 788-8300 http://home.att.net/~Local_History/MA-Suffolk-Co.htm http://www.revere.org/ Betty (near Lowell, MA) ----- Original Message ----- From: "J Hardy" <bdapooh@hotmail.com> To: <mabristo-l@rootsweb.com> Sent: Saturday, September 30, 2006 6:20 PM Subject: [MABRISTO] Adopted Ancestor Question > Hello, I have been doing some research on Florence E. Porter who was born > in Fall River the late 1890s. > According to the New England Genealogical Society probate index, she was > adopted in 1907 in Revere after her father died. > There is a case number, 41030. What can I do with this information ? Are > adoption records from this time period open in Massachusetts? > > Jessie Moniz > Bermuda > > _________________________________________________________________ > FREE pop-up blocking with the new MSN Toolbar - get it now! > http://toolbar.msn.click-url.com/go/onm00200415ave/direct/01/ > > >

Hello, I have been doing some research on Florence E. Porter who was born in Fall River the late 1890s. According to the New England Genealogical Society probate index, she was adopted in 1907 in Revere after her father died. There is a case number, 41030. What can I do with this information ? Are adoption records from this time period open in Massachusetts? Jessie Moniz Bermuda _________________________________________________________________ FREE pop-up blocking with the new MSN Toolbar - get it now! http://toolbar.msn.click-url.com/go/onm00200415ave/direct/01/

I think Jane DEVLIN is meant. She has lots of wonderful information on her website. ----- Original Message ----- From: "Jim McCarthy" <jimhmc@comcast.net> To: <mabristo@rootsweb.com> Sent: Thursday, September 28, 2006 4:37 PM Subject: Re: [MABRISTO] Annulment Records & Death Records > Stephanie, > For research on my own family I am interested in looking at Westport > Records. I did several google searches but found nothing about a 'Jane > delving site.' Could you clarify? Jim McCarthy, Somerville, MA > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Stefanie" <CercaPenna@comcast.net> > To: <mabristo@rootsweb.com> > Sent: Thursday, September 28, 2006 9:12 AM > Subject: Re: [MABRISTO] Annulment Records & Death Records > > > > JGP, > > > > Have you looked in Westport vital records? Westport vital records are on > > line at the Jane delving site. If you do a google search you'll find it. > > Maybe you will find something there. > > > > Stefanie > > > > > > > > -- > > No virus found in this outgoing message. > > Checked by AVG Free Edition. > > Version: 7.1.394 / Virus Database: 268.12.9/456 - Release Date: 9/25/2006 > > > > > > ------------------------------- > > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to > > MABRISTO-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the > > quotes in the subject and the body of the message > > > > > > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to MABRISTO-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message >

sorry for the misunderstanding....I misread it. Carol Sherman Houghton --------------------------------- All-new Yahoo! Mail - Fire up a more powerful email and get things done faster.

Hi Carol. I think that perhaps you didn't look close enough at the entry. I found the entry on the NEHGS Web Site in the New Bedford Vital Records to 1850. It says, and I quote, "1823, ALLEN, Israel, Feb. 16, 1823+[ch. Stephen (s. Robert and Esther) and Hannah B., C.R.3. In lot with Emily H., G.R.3.] Record Type: Birth; Town: New Bedford" So as with the data from "Vital Records of Rhode Island" by James Arnold that I cited in my earlier posting, both sources show Israel Allen to be the son of Stephen and Hannah B. Allen. The New Bedford record also states that Stephen Allen was the son of Robert and Esther Allen. Robert Akin ----- Original Message ---- From: Carol H <choughton215@yahoo.com> To: mabristo@rootsweb.com Sent: Thursday, September 28, 2006 6:24:10 PM Subject: Re: [MABRISTO] Israel Allen Hi Larry Yes I went to NEHGS and did a search in the Vital Records for Mass up until 1850. It was listed right there. Carol Sherman Houghton --------------------------------- Do you Yahoo!? Get on board. You're invited to try the new Yahoo! Mail. ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to MABRISTO-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message

Thank you. I got what I was looking for. Jim ----- Original Message ----- From: "Stefanie" <CercaPenna@comcast.net> To: <mabristo@rootsweb.com> Sent: Friday, September 29, 2006 4:25 AM Subject: Re: [MABRISTO] Annulment Records & Death Records > Jim, > > So sorry that should be Devlin not delving. Sorry about the typo and > confusion. > > Stefanie > > > > -- > No virus found in this outgoing message. > Checked by AVG Free Edition. > Version: 7.1.394 / Virus Database: 268.12.9/456 - Release Date: 9/25/2006 > > > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to > MABRISTO-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the > quotes in the subject and the body of the message >

Jim, So sorry that should be Devlin not delving. Sorry about the typo and confusion. Stefanie -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.394 / Virus Database: 268.12.9/456 - Release Date: 9/25/2006

I think she meant Jane Devlin http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~jdevlin/ma/0_ma-index.htm ----- Original Message ----- From: "Jim McCarthy" <jimhmc@comcast.net> To: <mabristo@rootsweb.com> Sent: Thursday, September 28, 2006 4:37 PM Subject: Re: [MABRISTO] Annulment Records & Death Records > Stephanie, > For research on my own family I am interested in looking at Westport > Records. I did several google searches but found nothing about a 'Jane > delving site.' Could you clarify? Jim McCarthy, Somerville, MA > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Stefanie" <CercaPenna@comcast.net> > To: <mabristo@rootsweb.com> > Sent: Thursday, September 28, 2006 9:12 AM > Subject: Re: [MABRISTO] Annulment Records & Death Records > > >> JGP, >> >> Have you looked in Westport vital records? Westport vital records are on >> line at the Jane delving site. If you do a google search you'll find it. >> Maybe you will find something there. >> >> Stefanie >> >> >> >> -- >> No virus found in this outgoing message. >> Checked by AVG Free Edition. >> Version: 7.1.394 / Virus Database: 268.12.9/456 - Release Date: 9/25/2006 >> >> >> ------------------------------- >> To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to >> MABRISTO-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the >> quotes in the subject and the body of the message >> > > > > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to > MABRISTO-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the > quotes in the subject and the body of the message >

Stephanie, For research on my own family I am interested in looking at Westport Records. I did several google searches but found nothing about a 'Jane delving site.' Could you clarify? Jim McCarthy, Somerville, MA ----- Original Message ----- From: "Stefanie" <CercaPenna@comcast.net> To: <mabristo@rootsweb.com> Sent: Thursday, September 28, 2006 9:12 AM Subject: Re: [MABRISTO] Annulment Records & Death Records > JGP, > > Have you looked in Westport vital records? Westport vital records are on > line at the Jane delving site. If you do a google search you'll find it. > Maybe you will find something there. > > Stefanie > > > > -- > No virus found in this outgoing message. > Checked by AVG Free Edition. > Version: 7.1.394 / Virus Database: 268.12.9/456 - Release Date: 9/25/2006 > > > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to > MABRISTO-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the > quotes in the subject and the body of the message >

Hi Larry Yes I went to NEHGS and did a search in the Vital Records for Mass up until 1850. It was listed right there. Carol Sherman Houghton --------------------------------- Do you Yahoo!? Get on board. You're invited to try the new Yahoo! Mail.

Hi, Carol. Sorry to rain on your parade, but I found some confusing data in regards to Israel Allen. "Vital Records of Rhode Island" by James Arnold has "Allen, Israel, of Stephen & Hannah B. - 16d 2m 1823". This is the same date that you found at NEHGS. By the way, I cannot find the information that you quote on the NEHGS Web site. Did you actually go to NEHGS and find it there? Larry ----- Original Message ---- From: Carol H <choughton215@yahoo.com> To: mabristo@rootsweb.com Sent: Thursday, September 28, 2006 10:54:14 AM Subject: Re: [MABRISTO] Israel Allen Found the following in NEHGS New Bedford, Ma., February 16, 1823, Israel son of Robert and Esther. Buried in lot with Hannah B. Carol Sherman Houghton --------------------------------- Do you Yahoo!? Everyone is raving about the all-new Yahoo! Mail. ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to MABRISTO-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message

1844 COFFIN Emily H. [int. Mrs.] and Israel Allen, _s._ () Stephen, Nov. 17, 1844. _more_ (http://www.newenglandancestors.org/research/database/vital_records/browse.asp?id=1027194&oid=1027194&page=2) Marriage _Westport_ (http://www.newenglandancestors.org/research/database/vital_records/town_info.asp?place_id=87) 1849 ALLEN Frank C., _s._ () Israel, merchant (b. New Bedford), and Emily, May 20, 1849. _more_ (http://www.newenglandancestors.org/research/database/vital_records/browse.asp?id=1022361&oid=1022361&page=4) Birth _Westpo_ (http://www.newenglandancestors.org/research/database/vital_records/town_info.asp?place_id=87) 1848 ALLEN Francis C., _s._ () Israel and Emily, "killed by a gate," June 12, 1848, _a._ () 2 _y._ () 9 _m._ () _more_ (http://www.newenglandancestors.org/research/database/vital_records/browse.asp?id=1033881&oid=1033 881&page=5) Death _Westport_ (http://www.newenglandancestors.org/research/database/vital_records/town_info.asp?place_id=87) 1847 ALLEN George Coffin, _s._ () Israel, trader (b. New Bedford), and Emily H. (b. Plymouth), July 10, 1847. _more_ (http://www.newenglandancestors.org/research/database/vital_records/browse.asp?id=1022364&oid=1022364&page =6) Birth _Westport_ (http://www.newenglandancestors.org/research/database/vital_records/town_info.asp?place_id=87) Israel Allen died of Apoplexy (cripple by a stroke) on May 4, 1894 age 72 Died in Attleboro, MA Residence in New Bedford Looks like he worked on the Railroad Says he was born in New Bedford, MA Parents are Stephen *New Bedford, and Hannah Baker (Westport, MA)