Recently a researcher mentioned to me, she had found finally her 'lynchpin'.....of course I had to find out exactly what she meant by this.....and I did...love the definition and just sounds so sound! thought I would share it as I had never ever heard it used as a foundation for an ancestor before...but hope to refer to it in the future! thanks, Nena Wed, 26 Feb 2003 19:31:46 -0500 lynch·pin NOUN: 1. A locking pin inserted in the end of a shaft, as in an axle, to prevent a wheel from slipping off. 2. A central cohesive element: Reduced spending is the linchpin of their economic program. ETYMOLOGY: Middle English linspin : lins, linchpin (from Old English lynis)+ pin, pin (from Old English pinn; see pin). So in other words....an ancestor who is referred as a 'lynch pin' certainly is the foundation discovery! So let us go forth and find our LynchPins!! :o) _________________________________________________________________ Protect your PC - get McAfee.com VirusScan Online http://clinic.mcafee.com/clinic/ibuy/campaign.asp?cid=3963