From on-line Merriam-Webster Dictionary - word date of 1630 1: to refuse to acknowledge as one's own 2 a: to repudiate any connection or identification with b: to deny the validity or authority of This is from http://www.quaker.org/disown.html "Friends sought to be a people whose lives, as well as words, testified to the power of Christ to teach and lead his people. Those whose lives said something different were undermining this objective. They provided ammunition to the enemies of Friends who maintained that reliance on an inward Light would lead to anarchy and libertinism. If disorderly individuals could not be persuaded to mend their ways, then Friends would go on record as not owning that person to be a member of their community." This helped me to understand the Quaker's and disownment. It was meant to keep the society stay true to this objective. I would say it falls more with the second definition above, both a and b. Sincerely, Jean Leeper [email protected] or [email protected] http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~jeanlee LQM: http://www.rootsweb.com/~ialqm/index.htm Cedar Creek Book Update Page: http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~jeanlee/ccfbook.htm Cedar Creek Cemetery picts: http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~jeanlee/ccrestore.htm