Hi again, With the help of a couple of lurkers on this list I have managed to piece together an interesting story relevant to the up coming Independence Day holiday. Turns out that my James Rudd of Maryland married the first cousin to Charles Carroll of Carrolton, signer of the Declaration of Independence. (James Rudd is my G-4-grandfather) The story isn't just the relationship however, turns out that the Charles was the only Catholic signer of the Dec. of Ind. and his cousin, John Carroll was the first Archbishop here in America. John put together a band of Catholic emigrants to go out west and settle in what was then, the furthest west, Kentucky (among other places). Springfield, KY was one of the towns where these settlers were sent and it is here that James and his wife Susannah Brooke settled. I have been informed that the St. Rose cemetery has tombstones for both James and Susannah and a number of their descendants. Obviously I'm going to have to make a roadtrip someday. So, not only is Susannah Brooke related to Charles Carroll, it is quite probable that the relationship is one (the only?) reason her and her husband emigrated to KY in the first place. History is far more interesting when you learn it this way, they should have kids do it this way in high school. Hope I didn't bore any of you with the story. Regards, Van Rudd Ann Arbor, MI p.s. I have no prior information about James Rudd. Like I said in my last post I'm half convinced he came from Ireland. Any leads would be appreciated.