Hi Linda, and all. I am from the Soden line that originated in Middlesex (as far as I can tell). Our Robert R. Soden initially resided in Freehold as far back as I can trace him. I haven't gotten his birth yet, but he was married in Freehold by F. Chandler to Henrietta Sherman on May 28th, 1862 There is a birth record for twins born in Monroe Twp indicated these two as the parents, on 1 Mar 1868. The next record found is for the birth of twins Ambrose and Melvina 22 Dec 1869 in Manalapan. In 1870 we have him listed in the Manalapan census (Pg 14) with his wife and children Jarvis W. , Violia (sic), and the twins Ambrose/Melvinia. In 1880 is when he shows up in Matawan on the census (page 21) with wife and children Jarvis, Valriah, Ambrose, Melvinia, Caroline, Julia, Jennetta, Gertrude. Anyway, as you can see they are all Monmouth County all the way so far. Ambrose moved to Trenton in 1892 when he married Mary Ann Gaskill (d.o. Samuel Gaskill and Deborah Matthews). I personally don't think I've ever even visited Matawan, or Manalapan for that matter. I live in Virginia. But, I have just slews of ancestors and relations in the Mercer and Monmouth area's, lol. Well, I imagine I gave you more info than you desired. Happy Hunting!! Joyce Soden Brown ----- Original Message ----- From: <LindaBch@aol.com> To: <NJMONMOU-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Thursday, March 23, 2000 11:49 PM Subject: Re: [NJMONMOU] Census volunteers - make a difference! > joyce- what years did you live in matawan? i have been matawan native for 52 > yrs now and dont recognize your maiden or married name- my husb is 56 and he > doesnt either=what section of matawan are you from? i grew up on edgemere but > my family had farm in 18 and 1900s on valley rd-rt 34= the irish side had > apple and peach orchards and strawberries and fowl= the germans had in mid > 1900s mink ranch on pengels farm(uncle bub was the town dentist) i am > wondering what your family line is in matawan since i am not aware of the > name=linda > >