Hello cousin Mary, Good to hear from you. I have an excerpt from the book, "Charles County Gentry" pertaining to the Edelens, and yes you are right, they all are related, even though some distantly. But further enough back you can see where they all tie in. The excerpt even mentions some that migrated to Kentucky, and to some where called Washington Bottom, etc.. I figure any Edelen in Amerca is kin, even though very distantly in some cases. From what I have been told and read we all descend from Richard Edelen who came over in the mid 1600s. I believe even those who spell their names Edelin and Edlen are related. In that excerpt it explains how one branch, the descendents of James Nobles Edelen, came to spell their name "Edelin". Very interesting. I have also heard that some African Americans who descend from those who had associations with Edelens back in slavery days picked up the name, whether former slaves or free men, spell their name Edelin also. But perhaps they were associated with the White Edelens who spelled their name Edelin. Who knows. I will get in touch with you soon Mary and we will all go out to eat or something. I apologize for being such a stranger lately. And give your husband our regards! I never told you this I don't think but it has always been sort of special to me to know that you, a Maryland Middleton relative, lives so near me. Till later, David Middleton Edelen II Millbrook, Al.