MIKE, 1.You have come to the same conclusion I had. I believe we even see several RANSOM's surname spelled RANSONE in places. There seems to be a resistence to a change, but I don't know why we couldn't just say RANSOM/RANSONE, or the other way around. Of course RANSOM is more prevalent and more memorable but if we want to get all the connections, we will HAVE to consider other spellings. I think (spelled ANY way) it's a proud name, implying some sort of worth....hmm? 2. Thanks for answering and for all your scholarly announcements. If you will do that every so often I think it will keep this list active. I hope the NY RANSOMS and those from other countries HI UK! will post more conversations. I get the feeling they post one msg and someone contacts them, but then does not share the CONVERSATION with the whole group. I wish they would. A PERSONAL conversation about your Ransom/Ransone/Ranson is of interest to many people, or might be. Even the names of RANSOM spouses and their families can help the rest of us. SO don't HESITATE to talk freely ON the list. PLEASE.... Thanks Carole Caroline Burnett Cook g-g-g granddaughter of Mary Jane Ransom who m. Rev. Charles Blackmon Faris dtr of John A. Ransom of TN & Elizabeth Bowman NC>TN son of Capt. Richard Ransom VA>TN and Kesiah Portis NC>TN etc etc back to Peter Ransom of Va PS does anyone know WHO PETER RANSOM's father was across the BIG pond? In a message dated 3/4/00 11:42:37 AM Eastern Standard Time, mransom@peak.org writes: << Yes. I haven't researched it thoroughly, but the surname spelling is the only difference I can find of substance, what with the other names in the list. I think people make a choice of which way they will spell ancestors names. There appears to be a lot of crossover and confusion, especially in transcription. I have come to treat them all the same, and I try to build genealogies based on relationships, not based on spelling! Thanks for your comments and encouragement. I did post the orderform page, and I will post the contents of #29 when I finish it [I hope today!] Mike RANSOM >>