Eleanore raised some pertinent questions about the new Massey book. If anyone missed my earlier post with ordering information, contact me privately. Thinking that her questions and my commnets might be of some interest to other subscribers, I am replying via the list. >> I am surprised to read that my Massey line, (back from Joseph and Elizabeth(Washington Lanier)Massey, does not originate with the Isle of Ely bunch!<< It's always been shaky. As I've stated many times, the two Johns that have been shown as father and grandfather of Hezekiah, Joseph (yours), and Richard (mine) have never been proven. Also, no relevant doumentation was provided on the alleged descent from Isle of Ely. Judge Massey found some interesting data from which he developed a plausible account of what might have been the ancestry. Some of the critical assumptions were later proven to be inaccurate. << Is that some of the info in that book?>> Absolutely. The author, William W. Massey, is a straight 2d cousin (no removes) of Judge Frank Massey. Like myself, the new author saw problems with the Isle if Ely theory. He discusses the problems along the same lines that I did. He has a completely different account of the ancestors of Hezekiah (2) , Joseph (2) (yours), and Richard (2) (mine). He believes their father was Richard (1) Massey of Puddington, co Chester, Eng. He then traces Richard (1) back to Hamon de Mascy who came to England with William the Conqueror; also shows several descents of Richard (1) from King Edward iii and many other earlier nobles and royals. The conclusions made, can, of course, be challenged, and need to be critically evaluated, but there is some real extensive documentation that can be checked out. Mr. Massey was assisted on the medieval ancestries by a well known Medieval Genealogy scholar. << Is Joseph mentioned at all?>> Yes. Joseph, his two (yes!) wives, and all his children are discussed. It even shows some children of Joseph that Judge Massey hadn't identified. Again good documentation is provided. Some researchers, including myself, enjoy finding royal descents; some don't. Lest it be thought that I take this part of genealogy too seriously, let me state that a verified royal descent and $1.50 will get you a good cup of coffee at most restaurants! Best regards to all, Theron Smith.