Hi Barbara,

thanks for putting your line 'out there' - I've added the line to my collection - hope I've got the connection on back correct...next to Paul and Maria Van Duyne... next to Thomas and Hillitje Van Arsdalen... next to Jan and Eliz Schillman.... etc.

I am very much enjoying playing the 'fill in the blanks' game with the Aten/Autens. Of course I hope one day to complete my own line with some assurance. For now the controversy over who John J Auten was and who Mary Burns was leaves an interesting hole in that line. But, in the mean time I hope to make the rest of the family lines as complete as I can - just for fun.

If there is anything I can send you from our line (I can certainly do the line from 1809 on... and can 'guess' at the line going back to New Amsterdam) I'd be pleased to do so.

By the way, what is your stand on the story of the origins of the family? With your work in the business, perhaps you have satisfied yourself as to the most likely origin??? Hope your business is going well. I'd also love to hear about that if you have the time or inclination to share tales about what you do and who you work with. I'm curious to know where and with whom (which lines) the most active research is going on.

All the best, nancy