At 11:43 AM 5/21/99 -0400, you wrote: Hi Mary! I lived near Oneida all my life and have some info on the Oneida community. My uncle worked there all his working life and, as a result, I have lots and lots of Oneida Silverware! :) The "commune" was one of the best and most successful attempts at communal living in the US -- it was founded by a religious community (the Shakers, if I am not mistaken). PBS aired an *excellent* documentary on it several years ago; maybe you could get a copy of that on tape (?). I'll ask my mother if she knows more; hope this will help for now. I feel sure there must have been a lot written on it in any NYS history book -- did you try an internet search? I would guess the "bare bones" info would even be in Encarta or any other on-line encyclopedia. Let me know what else you might want to know. Marsha Strong Gainesville, FL PS -- what was your ggrandfather's name?? --------------------- original message: >It has recently come to my attention that my ggfather may have been a >member of the Oneida Commune in the late 1800's. Does anyone know anything >about this commune or know where I can look for information regarding it? >It's my understanding this Commune was the beginning of the Oneida Silver >Company... > >Any help would be welcome. >Mary