I said previously: > > I get uneasy when the MF or MFIP books say children are "likely" or when > > they state there is no proof. Does this mean the line is accepted or not? > > I have had cases with applicants where the lines have and have not been > > accepted. In this case, there is no note saying that the line needs more > > proof before being accepted, so I'm assuming that the Soule researcher is > > satisfied with the line. Dianne asked: > Is there a rule of thumb about the Society's acceptance of lines through > "question mark children" in the silver books? > > I'm wondering particularly about Obadiah Chase, 6th generation (probably) > from Stephen Hopkins (Stephen1 > Giles2 > Stephen3 > Mary4 > Thankful5 Maker > > ?Obadiah6 Chase). He and 5 siblings are listed (MF: Stephen Hopkins, 2nd ed, > p.406) with question marks and a reference to the Chase genealogy in the New > England historical & genealogical register. Their oldest brother is not > questioned, as his birth was recorded at Yarmouth. > > Anybody have any insight here? > ______________________________ Dianne, Have just returned from a few days away and am late answering your question. It has been my experience as a state Historian that when it comes to question marks accompanying the names of children in the MF silver books that the line is not yet proven to the satisfaction of the society. To find out for sure, I suggest that you write directly to Plymouth, cite the Chase family in MF 6:372 (3rd ed.) and ask whether or not the line would be accepted if you were to submit it. It never hurts to ask! Susan E. Roser, Historian Canadian Society www.rootsweb.com/~canms/canada.html