This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: bjburdan Surnames: Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.northam.usa.states.pennsylvania.counties.berks/9867.2.1.9.2.1.2.1/mb.ashx Message Board Post: The death certificate for your Benjamin may have been as correct as his son-in-law could make it. He was working in a difficult time. He may only have known that the family lived in Reading and assumed that is where Benjamin was born. Your real key will be the the obituaries of Benjamin in Reading or Mrs. Mary Kennan, where it might list all of their children. Also don't discount the obituaries of siblings, they often note any surviving brothers and sisters. If James of Chester county had a son Benjamin, it might explain why Benjamin of Reading named his first born son, James. Perhaps James of Chester was a brother to Benjamin of Reading, and James of Chester, most likely being a contemporary of Benjamin of Reading, would be having children at the same time as Benjamin of Reading. James may have named his son after his brother Benjamin. When Benjamin of Reading had a second son he named him Benjamin. We often find cousins born around the same time with the same name. So the Chester County Benjamin may be a cousin of your Benjamin instead of your Benjamin. Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board.