Dear Beth, I forwarded your message to my Dad who grew up in the area during the 50s, and this is what he had to say: Shelly, Yes I knew Red Bates. Do not know what his real first name was. He did live in a little house (shack) on Dean road, Birmingham. It could have been Edward, but not sure. I will do some checking for you on that. It may be of some interest to her that he was the first wooley bear forcaster when it was founded in Birmingham........Love Dad I hope this helps you. As he said, he will do a little digging for you. I'm sure you know that the wooley bear is what the local folk in that area call the monarch butterfly caterpillar (the black and brown ones). I think I even remember seeing Mr. Bates give his prediction for the winter's weather once when I was little. Supposedly, the longer the black part is in relation to the brown head and tail, the worse the winter will be. The name is very familiar to me, and I associate it with the annual Wooley Bear Festival (which is now held in Vermilion). I will forward any thing he comes up with to you. Good Luck! Shelly Clipson-Shock Powhatan, Virginia In a message dated 10/23/02 6:21:50 PM, [email protected] writes: >Hi, I am wondering if there is anyone on the list that can remember a >"Red" > >Bates who lived in Birmingham in the 1950s. He is supposed to be related >to > >our family and am hoping the connection will bring me more information. >I am > >wondering what his real name was, his parents names and his place of buriel. > >Can anyone remember him - he used to live in a very small house on Dean >Rd close > >to 113. Thanks Beth ============================================================================ Researching: Clipson, Gaunt (Gant), Hendrickson, Jarrett, Mason, Miteff, Schoonmaker, Siehl, Stickreth, Towne, Vladiff, Yaple (Jappel, Yeaple) Whoever said "Seek and ye shall find" was not a genealogist.