I thought the three most recent generations HAD to be proved with primary records, birth, marriage and death certificates. Is there some wiggle room here, then? I know I won't find all of these for the earlier generations, but I thought surely I could turn up records for the last 150 years. It would be nice to know if I have an alternative, since not having this one record will knock out all four of my potential lines. Does it matter if the person is the spouse and not the line carrier? A bit more wiggle room perhaps? Does anyone know? Mimi > [Original Message] > From: J. A. Childers <jachild1@gte.net> > To: <mimi.barker@mindspring.com> > Date: 7/22/02 11:41:27 AM > Subject: Re: [MFLR] Warren and Brewster > > Miriam, > Like you, I too have been lurking on the message board, but for over a > year. Posted only once to see if anyone else had my family names. It is a > very active mailing list and I have learned so much by just reading the > messages of others. My papers were recently approved. > > As to your question about substitute records for birth, you could use: > a Bible record, > first census after her birth, be sure to copy the location, date, and > page numbers > church baptismal record > a newspaper announcement for birth if listing parents names and child, > copy the name and date of paper > birth announcement card > diary, journal, or letter about the birth with all names listed, date > and place > photo of baby or child listing the parents, date, and location > > If none of the above are available then use: > her obituary, which usually names parents > sometimes death records also name parents > sometimes tombstones list parents or tombstone inscription books > family histories and county histories (which aren't as good a source > but better than nothing) > > For the colonial record of birth, the town records especially in Mass, > are very good. but they wouldn't apply to your grandmother. > > My final tip for joining the National Society of Mayflower Descendants > is to send in as much proof as possible. The historians are very good at > sorting it all out. > > Hope this helps, good luck, > Jean Ann --- Miriam Barker --- mimi.barker@mindspring.com --- EarthLink: The #1 provider of the Real Internet.