In a message dated 11/20/2006 7:35:07 P.M. Eastern Standard Time, [email protected] writes: Just to put a few things in perspective, and not to take anything away from those of us who are descendents of those Mayflower Passengers: The first permanent colonies in what is now the United States were Saint Augustine in what is now Florida and Santa Fe in what is now New Mexico. The first English Colony was in Roanoke in what is now North Carolina. Jamestown was probable around the fourth, but the first permanent English Colony, then Plymouth quickly followed by the Dutch settlement in New Amsterdam. The thing that sets Plymouth apart is the records that were kept by Bradford. Oh, by the way, watch the movie "Squanto", a Walt Disney movie about an Indian taken prisoner by the English, brought to England and escaped back to his home in what is now New England, all before the Mayflower landed in 1620. Did you know that some Indians knew how to speak English before 1620 and were able to speak with the Pilgrims in English. Dave from Long Island, (Edward Fuller d. winter of 1620-21) You left out Popham Colony which was in Maine. They were 1607 just like Jamestown but only lasted a year. They have two very cool firsts -- one, the first English ship (built in America)was built here in 1608 (called, what else...The Virginia) and two, the John Hunt Map. The only know surviving map this early of an English colony. It has been helpful as they do their archaeological digs. The great folks of Maine are building a replica of The Virginia as we speak. For more: _www.mainesfirstship.org_ (http://www.mainesfirstship.org) Gail Adams Leesburg, Virginia Editor, The Howland Quarterly