I am also tracing the ASSELIN name. My greatgrandmother was Mary ASSELIN, originally from Canada. Her father was a Joseph or John ASSELIN. The story is told that either his parents or grandparents were separated before birth. There was a spanish governess that was the aid to a royal family. The story is told that the son of this family was taken with the spanish maid and they had an affair. She got pregnant and was put in prison. When the baby was born, the name of ASSELIN was given. Supposedly, ASSELIN, is supposed to mean " born in prison" The child and mother were placed on the slave ships headed for the new England and ended up in Canada. I am having great difficulty in tracinbg this name myself since the name was changed to so many different ones whenn they came to America. Check out http://ww.uftree.com for more info. Look at "MyFamilyForest" at the Pleau line for more info if interested.