In a message dated 12/17/02 4:02:12 AM Eastern Standard Time, Marion, MAYFLOWER-D-request@rootsweb.com writes: > <I found no birth record for Rufus M. at n.e.ancestors. > Hanover VR are not included at n.e.ancestors (NEHGS). I have access to a > microfilm copy at the Lynnfield, Mass. Library, if you can wait until after > Christmas for a lookup.> > Marion: There seems to be a record somewhere in the Hanover records. From the Internet I have a birth date of 17 Feb 1830 in Hanover Center, for a "Rufus Sturtevant", son of a George (no mother's name shown), but am not sure it's the same person as Rufus Miles Sturtevant, though the date corresponds to his own stated age (Civil War enlistment) as well as his death certificate (14 Jan 1919, age 88) which gives his parents as George STURTEVANT and Naomi SAMPSON. His death certificate says he was born in Pembroke. Nothing found in the published Pembroke VRs. I wonder what might cause an omission from the VRs. This family seem to have been Methodists. Could that be a factor? I have seen the volume of Hanover VRs compiled by the town in 1895. In the Forward it says that some of the original records are barely legible, so I suspect a number of copying errors have crept in. If the microfilm is a copy of the printed book it would not add to what I have, but if it is a copy of original records it certainly might be of help. I think I have enough on Rufus Miles STURTEVANT to satisfy the MSMD, as the Mayflower lines I have traced go through his mother, Naomi (Stetson) SAMPSON - including several generations with the given name "Miles" tracing to Myles STANDISH. I will be requesting his full Civil War pension file which ought to strengthen the case, but I doubt it will help much on the ancestry of his father, George. Thank you very much for your help. Merry Christmas to you and all on the List. Len