In a message dated 5/13/2003 3:05:05 PM Eastern Daylight Time, [email protected] writes: > I have a copy of an old will dated August 1804. In it 4 of the children are > named. According to other records there were several other children. Does > this mean that they are dead or can there be other reasons for 'cutting > them out'? > It doesn't necessarily mean they were dead. Many times, as the children married and moved out of the area, they would be given their "share" at that time. Because of the distance in traveling, visits would be rare if at all. Also, look at when the will was written and how long before it was probated. If there is a long span, there may have been other children after he wrote the will. This is why I prefer Chancery and Equity court records (in some places they may be called Orphan's Court or other named records) which are usually brought about because of the lack of a will or a dispute in settlement or need of a clear title. In these, testimony must be given on all heirs including those deceased; and will list the deceased heirs' children many times and also gives locations of where the heirs are currently living and lists the property. So, if these are found, they are quite a treasure and better than a will. Note - If a child is listed in a will and it's notated he already received his share, this could be a clue he had moved out of the area. Also, if items such as a bed, featherdown, spinning wheel, etc are left to a daughter (wills sometimes only list the first name of the child), the chances are she is not yet married and this is her "dowry". Reading old documents can be very enlightening. - Dorinda Shepley [email protected] <A HREF="http://members.aol.com/midmdroots/frederick/">Early Frederick Co, Maryland</A> http://members.aol.com/midmdroots/frederick/