This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: JPP1999 Surnames: Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.northam.usa.states.newyork.counties.kings/16374.1.2.1.1.1.1.1/mb.ashx Message Board Post: This is how I found my info so far.... Name Change - James McDonald aka William McAllister- a copy of a letter he wrote back in the 1930's Great Grandparents - Henry McAllister married Mary Ann Downs (1st) - GF's birth cert, Great Aunt death cert Maggie (Margaret) McDonald (2nd) - Census Henry has five children with Mary Ann - William (above), Sally (obit, cousin), Mary (obit, death cert, cousin), Margaret (obit, cousin), Charles (death cert), Thomas (death cert). All births took place between 1888 and 1894 in Brooklyn (census,obits, death certs).Mary Ann died in 1895, Charles and Thomas died as infants (death certs), William supposedly went to live with relatives (McDonald) according to a note he wrote for some kind of benefits or a name change back in 20's/30's. 1900 census shows Mary and Margaret in St. Francis of Assisi Orphanage in Brooklyn 1900 census shows Henry and Sally living with a Maggie McDonald (she is listed as married and head of household, but no husband listed). 1910 census shows all the children with an Aunt .....Katherine Southam...im assuming this is Mary Ann's sister Kate Downs 1920 census shows the girls with a Cousin....Samuel Simms...not sure where this fits, William was married in 1918. 1920 census shows Henry married to a Maggie, assuming McDonald...child listed James J. McDonald...matching info in 1900 census. They also had 2 children...Henry and Helen...born 1908 and 1911 Sally ended up marrying a Native American Chief in VA...died in 1977 (info from Aunt, cousin), Mary married a James J. McCormick....died in 1956 (am in contact with a McCormick cousin I met about 2 years ago) long story, Margaret died I think about 1958 (obit, cousin), William died about 1959 (Death cert). Henry died 1924 (death cert). Him and Maggie are buried together in Calvary. I have the burial info on all of them. William (GF) was baptized in St. Mary Star of the Sea. I do have pics on all the children also have a pic of Mary Ann, a pic of Henry with the children...assuming it was shortly after the funeral and a pic of a man and wife and on the back it has a signature which looks like C.B. McAllister, Mandan, ND. With that pic was a copy of the same pic stating "this was your Grandfather "Curly Bill". We are assuming this was addressed to Margaret since it was found in her things when she passed. Now for the tricky part, the pic is on a photography studio card with the address, matching the photographer and address..they were in business 1892 - 1894. To date have not located a marriage record for Henry and Mary Ann and any document providing info of Henry's parents. Was hoping they got married at Star of the Sea...no record found. So no real solid evidence yet, just assumption and elimination. Thanks, Bill 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.