Dear Extended Family (for that is indeed what we all are as Tuttles and Tuttle descendants), With regard to my previous e-mail concerning the Irish origin / connection to the Tuttle family, that info came from the book about the ancestors and descendants of William Tuttle, which I mentioned in my previous e-mail. However, after posting it to the list, it seems to have generated at least a small amount of unhappiness among some. Apparently, at least judging from some of the e-mail I have received regarding it, there are those who do not take kindly to the idea of a possible Irish origin or connection. Please let me say that I do not have any concrete definitive "proof" that the Tuttle family has an Irish origin, and that I only put forth what I have read regarding it. The idea did not originate from me, but as I said, came from the book on William Tuttle's ancestors and descendants, which I read at the Denver Public Library's Genealogy Department. This theory seems to be somewhat corroborated by both John Tuttle's journey to Ireland (he lived and died in Carrickfergus), which he and others have described as his journey "back" to Ireland (which would indicate either an earlier journey or a possible origin), as well as a traditional family legend that has been handed down through my family. This legend (for lack of a better word) has been in my family for several generations, and in a nutshell, puts forth the theory that the family lost its ancestral lands and was dispossessed by the English at some point in time. Since the family line becomes increasingly hard to trace prior to 1500 (at least for me), it is more difficult to either disprove or prove this legend / theory. I do not claim that the family's Irish origins are undeniably proven or written in stone as they say, and I am more than willing to hear, with an open mind, any evidence which points in either direction. I do believe that this should at least be investigated and given the benefit of the doubt as a possibility, however remote. For those of you who responded to me, thanks for touching base with me, and I both respect and appreciate each of your comments. I hope this discussion can continue, and who knows, perhaps some information will surface which will surprise us all. Again, thank you all, I always enjoy hearing from other Tuttle's around the country and world. Happy Holidays, Bob Tuttle AnEadaigh@aol.com