This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/an/SCWBAIB/4313.1 Message Board Post: Alex, The only information I can provide at this time comes from "William Wells of Southold and His Descendants A. D. 1638 to 1878" by Charles Wells Hayes and published in 1878. On pages 27- 28; " He (William) married second, probably about 1654, Mary, or "Marie," as she herself wrote it, whose family name is said to be Youngs. The date of the marriage I infer from the fact that his oldest daughter, Bethia, must have been born about 1655, and was, in all probability, the child of this second wife; and also from the order of the General Court quoted above (1654), which seems likely to have some connection with the second marriage as well as the decease of the first wife. It is much more difficult to ascertain the value of the tradition which calls the second wife Mary "Youngs." Thus far I have found nothing to throw any light on the question of her family." Then a footnote which reads: "She can hardly have been Mary, the sister of the Rev. John Youngs, (who according to Savage (I. 277) is said to have married Wm. Brown, of Salem, and died 1636,) or his daughter Mary, who was born 1631, and probably married Edward Petty, of Southold. The tradition may have arisen from the fact that William Wells' daughter mary became Youngs by marriage. It comes to me from the family of Capt. Benj. Wells of Southold, a source entitled to much respect,-but how ancient and well founded it is I do not know." Hayes also writes that she remarried after William Wells' death a "Goodman Mapes." While I can't (yet) tell you who her parents were I can tell you who they weren't. Perhaps a study of the Mapes line would help. I'm curious to know how you came across her date of death if you'd share. Hopefully within a month I'll finish and submit what I've gathered (mostly from Hayes fine book, written 127 years closer to the story). I have over 3,000 names already. What I'm recommending to everyone is to get involved with the numerous DNA studies being conducted. Sorenson Molecular Genealogy Foundation is a good place to try. They are free and, from what I can see, have the greatest number of participants. The more folks who contribute DNA (a harmless mouthwash is all it takes) the more truth we can all uncover. They have a website. Good luck.