I just got the Last Will and Testament (1911) of William H. Zinstine (1829-1911) of Edinburg, Saratoga Co. and it has created more questions than answers (sound familiar)! The executor of the Will was Charles L. BROOKS, a merchant/store keeper of Edinburg from what I can gather from the census. The two men who witnessed the signing of the will, Arthur S. TRACY and Charles M. SUMNER (coal vendor) were also from Edinburg. Anyone connect with any of these men? This Zinstine family has been one puzzle after another. The Will mentions William's son from his first marriage, John H. Zinstine stating that Wm. had heard from him about 15 years prior from Albuquerque, N.M. This was quite a surprise to me because John H. appears only once in the 1860 census with his family as a 9 yr child. I had presumed he had died because I have not found any other reference to him! William H. Zinstine fought in the Civil War (Company C, 77th Infantry Regiment NY). He returned home and his wife Esther (maybe a HOLMES) died in 1867. William remarries Hannah BOOTH (widow) and in the 1870 census they are in Iowa with their new baby, Adelia. Son John H. Zinstine seems to have vanished and younger son, George is in Stony Creek,Warren Co. living with Freeman HOLMES but he dies in 1876 at 16 yrs. old. Daughter Adelia herself will die in 1890 at 21 yrs of age, probably in childbirth since she was married (L. J. Freeman) and has a son William H. Freeman b. 1890. So I had presumed all 3 children died young. A "citation" was sent to inform John H. Zinstine of his father's death/will. How can someone possibly find out if John H. Zinstine ever replied? The will leaves everything to William's 2nd wife Hannah BOOTH and in her death, to grandson William H. FREEMAN living in Gloversville, NY in 1910-11. A dollar would be given to John if he made contact within a year, so there was not much incentive! I have looked in the scarce NM records and have found no John H. Zinstine of any spelling variation. I apologize for the long post but I would appreciate any ideas or thoughts on this predicament. I am not sure what to do next. Lori Ellison William H. Zinstine was the youngest brother of my 3x greatgrandfather, he was originally from Ontario, Canada.