Hi Phil The 1800 Census of Vermont has only one Alford--Ashley who lived in Swanton Vermont, about 30 miles North of Colchester. This family had four males under age 10. In reference to the ship's carpenter--Colchester is on Lake Champlain--Vermonts largest lake and many ship builders worked at Mallett's Bay in Colchester. I will keep my eye out for you. Mal Bevins, Chittenden County GENWEB coordinator. phil cartmille wrote: > Hello Vermonters: > I am trying to write a family history for my gkids. I have recently > stumbled onto information that my second great grandfather, James Alford was > born in 1799 in Colchester, VT. He married Almeda Chase, also of > Colchester, and they later migrated to Ohio ( about 1825). A scrap of info > indicates his trade as "ships carpenter", which puzzled me. Was there > enough boat/ship building in that area to have tradesmen such as "ships > carpenter"? > If this is valid, I would like to make an assumption that he moved to OH to > work on canal boats, as the timing is right. > James's father is listed as Alexander Alford. I know nothing of him, but he > does appear on the 1820 census in Chittenden Co. Colchester Twp. If anyone > has any information on Alexander I would appreciate it. My goal is to find > the immigrant Alford. It could be Alexander, or his father.....or his > father. > I know nothing of the Chase family either, and any information on them would > be appreciated. > I am interested in trying to write history of the times in areas where my > ancestors lived, so if anyone can guide me to some sources of Colchester > history, migration to the area, or anything that I can use to "flesh out" > this story, I would appreciate that too. > As you might notice, I am not a genealogist, but I have been bitten by the > geny bug and the stories of my family roots have become a passion. Any and > all help is gratefully received. > Thank you, > > Phil Cartmille > pcartmille@ohiohills.com