This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: jfclark819 Surnames: Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.northam.usa.states.newyork.counties.kings/16668.2/mb.ashx Message Board Post: I live in Bay Ridge now and it is definitely in New York - the whole of Staten Island is in between Bay Ridge and NJ :-) I agree with the previous poster that a NY and NJ could look similar if it is initials only. Bay Ridge was called Yellow Hook until the Yellow fever epidemic hit - they then changed the name. I have not seen any civil records before 1868 for Brooklyn...but I am certainly no expert. If they were Catholic, I wonder if St. Patrick's on 4th avenue is a good start - they were founded in 1848. Christine 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.