To all interested Woolsey researchers: For some time I have felt the need to know more about the movements of the Woolseys, around New York State, and then out West. About three weeks ago, I decided to search all the states for Woolseys in the census records from 1790 through 1870. There is about one more week of extensive research to finish this project. I now know more about the Woolsey family than I think I wanted to know! I owe some of you some response to your recent posts, but if you will forgive me, I'll finish this task first and then get back to you. I'm overwhelmed by the Woolseys in New York State and I keep tackling them a little at a time and then research another state, and then come back to New York. For example: In New York state there are single persons and heads of families in the following numbers: (In counting them I didn't differentiate between single and a family): 1790 - 33 1800 - 52 1810 - 61 1820 - 62 1830 - 84 1840 - 87 1850 - 105 1860 - 154 There are so many Johns, and Richards, and Jacobs, and Williams, and Benjamins, and etc. that my head feels like it is going in circles. But I have already cleared up some mysteries and misconceptions (and provided myself with a lot more unanswered questions). I have found Woolseys (Wolseys) born in Switzerland, Sweden, Germany, Hamburg, England, Ireland, and other areas. I have found Black Woolseys in several states, some with large families. I have found two Woolseys in penitentaries and many who were living on the edge of the frontier. I have Woolseys who were very wealthy, and some very poor, with a few paupers thrown in. I have found some highly educated and some who couldn't read or write, and a lot in between. Most of them seem to be hard-working, church-going, family-oriented men and women. A good group to be related to and acquainted. Many Woolseys were common "labourers, day laborers, farm hands, farm workers", and some who "worked on the farm". I have found "Mariners, ferry boat captains, ship masters, school teachers, educators, sailors, engineers, and many other occupations". If you can definitely identify your earliest ancestors in a time and place, I would appreciate hearing from you, especially in New York State. I have many loose ends there. No one, it seems, has made the effort to connect the many Woolseys in New York State, and probably made the mistake of assuming they were already connected and left it at that. If you will study a map of the United States, you will see that New Jersey and parts of Pennsylvania are not far from New York and Westchester County, New York. It was a natural migration for them to cross the Hudson and put down roots, which some did as early as 1699. I appreciate your comments and help and support. Remember, I'm looking for documentation in its many forms. Thank you. Sincerely, Wilford W. Whitaker My wife says I exhibit "compulsive - obsessive behavior" and she is probably right. Otherwise, I would probably not stick this out and finish it.