This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: scott6672ny Surnames: Cranker, Smith, Ryan Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.northam.usa.states.newyork.counties.franklin/6920.1.1/mb.ashx Message Board Post: Thanks for the reply. Bessie married Adelbert Cranker who was my great grandfather. I would have thought that Ryan would be her adoptive parents but I found an 1899 obituary for Joel Hall of Hounsfield, Jefferson, NY that mentions among his surviors "...an adopted daughter, Mrs. Adelbert Cranker of the Town of Lyme". Bessie died in Chaumont, NY which is in the Town of Lyme in Jefferson County. There is no doubt that these are the same people. The census records for the Hall family in Jefferson County are pretty extensive and she is not in census records in 1880. It is possible that Joel Hall did not formally adopt Bessie. I do not know what religion if any this family practice. Your interpretations are correct. Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board.