Vee said >>However, I must admit that none of us would REALLY like to bring up the ghosts of our families like the ones she dug up literally.<< Guess what! I just received a book I purchased on Amazon.com called "The Drowning Room." It's fiction, but based on the real life story of one of my ancestors! She was apparently a rather scandalous lady, who married a pirate, before settling in New Amsterdam. Talk about your family secrets!! One source I read about her claimed that she was the first prostitute in America! (Now how they could determiine that information, I'll never know.) Fascinating, huh?! Can't wait to start reading it! Best, Lorraine ~~~~~~~ "While researching his nonfiction study of New York City (Maximum City, Trafalgar, 1993), British journalist Pye found references to Gretje Reyniers, a 17th-century Dutchwoman. Using what little was known about her (mainly a list of petty offenses), Pye has conjured a strong, lusty, and independent heroine."