Hello Erin, Obviously, I have not been on the message boards for some time and I just now found your second response of April 27, 2004. Sorry for being so late.

Thank you for the update. I received most of the info regarding "LaFayette" and Mary Dorwin's family from Jean. However, I had collected the rest of the Dorwin family myself through my personal research. Prior to my contact with Jean, LaFayette (aka Montreville/Mont) was the missing chapter of the family. I had traced all others, but he was my elusive brick wall.

LaFayette may have been his original given name, I noticed in the census in North Dakota that he was recorded as Lafayette or LM - which would have been "LaFayette Montreville." Although in the Wisconsin census he had been recorded as Montreville in his earlier days. Even after he married Mary, the Wisconsin 1880 census listed him as Montreville. Perhaps his preference to use Lafayette changed in later years.

Lafayette/Montreville was born in Franklin County, Vermont as well as all his other siblings. His parents were FAYETTE Dorwin and Sophronia Watson.

Makes me think that even hisfather's name (Fayette) could have originally been LaFayette, although all records and his grave stone indicate he used Fayette.

If you are still looking for information about your family I can help you. Please email me at LVHare@trxinc.com