Hi all. I may have found my connection to my Great grandmothers WATSON family, thanks to more than few good people out there. If you are linked or know of any information on the family, I would be very greatful. The details areas follows: 1881 Census returns. Chester-le-Street [DURHAM] 4979 - 130 -35 - Page: 09655 [WATSON] [0021] 7, John Street WATSON - William - Head - 37 - Coal Minor - born CUL Brompton. WATSON - Mary - Wife - 34 - xxxxxxxxxxxxx.born DUR Dipton WATSON - James - Son - 17 - Coal Minor -born DUR Dipton WATSON - William - Son - 16 - Coal Minor - born DUR Dipton WATSON - John - Son - 14 - Coal Minor -born DUR Dipton WATSON - Isaac - Son - 10 - Coal Minor -born DUR Dipton WATSON - Elizabeth - Dau - 10 - Scholar -born DUR Dipton WATSON - Mary - Dau - 7 - Scholar -born DUR Dipton WATSON - Thomas - Son - 5 - Scholar -born DUR Dipton WATSON - Joseph - Son - 4 - Scholar -born DUR Dipton Elizabeth CONRAY -Mother-in-law- 52 - Widow - H/Keeper born SCT. - -------------------------------------------------------------------------- - ---------------------------------------- It has been claimed by many seperate sources, that my family, through the WATSON line, is related to the 1930's American gangster and public enimy number 1, none other than Mr John DILLINGER. Only this week I contacted for the first time, my grandfather's sister Annie HELSTERN nee MILLER's grandchildren, The HELSTERN's. They moved from Tyneside to Gimsby, South Humberside, some half century ago. That's 15 years before my birth. The first I knew of this branch of the family was last year. The first thing Martin HELSTERN stated, whom was very warm and friendly was, " The family is supposed to be related to John DILLINGER the infamous 1930's American gangster". It is oftern said " there's no smoke without fire ". I would truely be on cloud 9, because the bad boys, usually are very interesting to research and write about. Good guys can be equaly outstanding to write about, as I discovered with my great uncle Captain Thomas Johnson of the 7th Gurka Riffles, Indian Army. A true hero . - -------------------------------------------------------------------------- - ----------------------------------------- Anything on this family unit, good, bad, indifferent. I'm all eaers and eyes, and fingers and thumbs. SORRY TO INDULGE, I CAN'T HELP MYSELF. Very best regards. Brian Miller. North Shields. Tyne and Wear. ENGLAND. A special thank you to Gillie Lomax and Robert Wentzel for past assistance I never forgot. CHEERS. - -------------------------------------------------------------------------- - -----------------------------------------