I really said duh, when you mentioned Brooklyn as being Kings Co as I knew that, but suddenly got county and burrough mixed up in my mind wondering about these two- I think it was the Bronx, Bronx that threw me. I am actually originally from Old Greenwich, Conn, and was born at St Vincent's Hospital. My childhood doctor, I have discovered, took care of 5 generations of females- his name is on so many of my death records, it amazes me. These explanations are really great. Thanks to both of you. I have been in Manhattan plenty of times, and also in Brooklyn, but not too many of the other areas. Like I said, all of my lines lived in NYC. So far I am not back to the 1700's on any of them, so I am mostly concerned about the 1800's up. My grandmother was brought up on W 107th, across from the Shinassi Mansion, moved to Great Neck when married, and then to Conn, and later on to Fla. I have old photos of the Shinassi Mansion in her album, had done some reading about the original owner, and decided to google him; I discovered he has a gt granddaughter there, and called her on the phone. I sent her some photos. There was a tunnel under the mansion which went to the Hudson- it is now closed. There were also rumors, but I didn't mention that to her, but it is fun to think about- I did a neighborhood study on that area, and it would make a great story! Sue