In a partial answer to: Is there a way I can find out if the Parke society has information about my ancestors? If so, I would definitely join. However, I only have information 4 generations back and may need to go farther back to find a connection... I am a g-grandson of Willard L Parks (1874-1950) who was a son of Joseph M Parks (1834-1917) Joseph Parks was born in Chittenden County VT and died in MN -brad (a novice) **************************** With limited access to the files of the Parke Society, I was able to check for the Willard L and Joseph M, above. They are not currently in the file. This is *not* normally a service provided by the Society, but I just happened to have a free moment. However, as stated previously in this forum, the Society always welcomes researchers of the surname(s) Park/e/s. And, clearly, names of earlier generations could yield a 'hit'. To refresh, here is a repeat of a prior post. Hope it helps not only Brad, but others. THE PARKE SOCIETY, INC, is a one name (or surname) society working on the PARK surname for immigrants who came into North America from the British Isles (and perhaps possessions) from the 17th Century to date. Our goal is to track down all PARK/E/S surnamed individuals and to get them identified with the correct immigrant ancestor and to trace, in so far as it is possible their progeny. No small task this, but we have been at it for over 30 years, and currently have identified about 100 immigrants, and are attempting to sort out another 200 or so "fragment" PARK/E/S lines whose predecessors so far have escaped us. The Society is made up of over 600 active members throughout the United States and Canada (and a couple of foreign lands to boot) who work on their individual lines, passing along information that is cataloged and indexed by the Society's Historian for use by other members. Between the Historian and the various Lineage Leaders (individuals who look after particular ancestral lines, coordinating research and data) we hope to clear up erroneous information which can be found not only in published books but also on the World Wide Web. At this time The Society has over 40 three ring binders of family group sheets, which are indexed in a GIVENAME INDEX for reference purposes. Currently this index is not available on line. [But is a *great* source for 'solving' Park/e/s 'mysteries' for members -gcr] Any interested individual can become part of The Society, all that is required is an interest in tracing the PARK/E/S family name. Annual Dues are currently $25 with an application processing fee of $15. Life memberships are available for $250. As a part of you membership, members receive a thrice annual Parke Society NewsLetter that covers the art and science of genealogy in general and in particular in relation to the PARK/E/S surname. It is thru this organ that we keep members aware of new finds and research. Members also receive a Closed Circuit To Members (CCTM) Flyer which covers news and information particular to membership in The Society. Further information concerning The Parke Society is available on line at: http://www.parke.org http://ourworld.Compuserve.Com/homepages/Tad_Parks/ Gordon Ralls PS #500 Online monitor The Parke Society PS As a final item, could we all 'clean up' our 'replies' to remove the unrelated repetition of prior issues?