Hi Listers, It is interesting to see this rootsweb more active again in recent days. I have been doing my family research for many years now, and I often come across interesting WATSON names that are not associated with me, but I have the peculiar feeling that someone somewhere is a Watson relative of famous and infamous Watsons who would be dying to know those facts. Some years ago I was residing in a small Ontario town near a smaller village of Doon and came across the home of an artist named HOMER RANSFORD WATSON, and as appreciator of Constable I was struck by his paintings, and even more so because I had never heard of his work. To date, I have not been able to uncover much of his family tree. Can anybody offer any knowledge of his tree? I believe he spent time in California too. If you would like to become familiar with his work, you can start at this site: http://www.mta.ca/faculty/arts/canadian_studies/english/about/study_guide/ar tists/homer_watson.html Also, I recently read a very good book about the final Franklin expedition to the Canadian arctic where it seems everyone died, and there too was another ordinary Watson a sailor, a Petty Officer, Carpenters Mate who met his end after dragging himself around the ice with Crozier et al. This Thomas Watson was born around 1808, as PRO in London's rolls listed as aged 40, before meeting his end abt May 30th 1848. Can anybody offer any knowledge of his tree? I have come across so many coincidences with my researching, it just makes me want to continue to complete a Watson history, alas I am to old to ever see the end of such research which brings me to my last question; Is there a person of Watson descent who could take up the challenge and start a website of Watson databases much like the Partridge Nest Worldwide database that is run by Dennis Partridge. (I know of this as Partridge is in my history too). His site has become the best repository of Partridge information around the world, and I would gladly try and assist anyone who could take on a similar responsibility for a Worldwide Watson & derivatives site. To see an example of Dennis' site; http://www.partridgenest.com/ Just a thought, we all need a localised database. Enjoy your Easter eggs; Russ Russell Watson - Ontario, Canada: Researching; WATSON, DOUGLAS & GILLIES (Scotland, Leuchars, & U.K.) GASH, PARTRIDGE & HOLT (Berkshire & Southern U.K.) http://familytreemaker.genealogy.com/users/w/a/t/Russell-C-Watson/