Dear Ms. Watts--
Bertram Wilmot Bates, my grandfather, was the son of Merrick Moses Bates, born in MA in 1843. He was the son of another Merrick Moses Bates, also born in MA, probably in 1801. Before then matters are uncertain, though this line MAY go all the way back to the Plymouth Colony and Ladd, Kent, England. Probably the only hope for confirmation is a geneology trip to New England. I have POSSIBLE parentage and ancestors for the first MMB--but nothing definite. It you're interested in more, you can reach me at bbates5440@aol.com.