With my father, Edmund Louis Bates, being born out of wedlock in l921, the trail ends. His foster family however gave a bit of insight as to the possible father. The mother gave him the father's name hoping that in the future the two would possibly meet. This never happened. Conjecture has it either Earl or an Elmer Bates came to Toledo, Ohio in Dec. 1920 or after New Years 1921 for a convention or on business for the Bates Linen Company, met with a Helen Brock, and Dad was born in Sept. 1921. Not for notoriety, or anything of that nature, but rather a sense of family on my paternal side has always been missing. Not terribly important but still a driving force. Someday in the Great Beyond it may be solved but for now it's a black hole. If the DNA tests could at least shed some light it would be rather interesting to know at least what geographical area my relatives came from, i.e. East Coast or Southern States. May the Holidays find you well. J.R. Bates

My mother's maiden name is Bates. I am trying to get information regarding Enos (Enoch or Enock) Bates. He married Catherine Hancock born in Pennsylvania. I cannot find out if the BFOOV has any information or not. I really don't want to join anything until I can get information. Do you have anytbing on this man? Thank you! Leigh Ann Johnson

I am writing once again to make a correction in my Bates family line. Me - Margaret Brown, Kelch Father - Harvey Brown - 1921-1970 His Mother - Rittie (Ratta) H. Wells, Brown - 1882-1939 Her Father - Gustavus Wells 1853-1907 His Mother - Hannah Rita Bates 1823-1907 - Great Grandmother Her Father - John W. Bates 1784-1864 His Father -Captain Caleb Bates - 1736-1834 His Father - Caleb Bates - 1715-1740 His Father - Caleb Bates - 1666-1747 His Father - Joseph Bates - 1628-1706 His Father - Clement Bates - 1595-1671 His Father - James Bates - 1555-1613 His Father - John Bates - 1521

I believe I am in the Bates family line. Me - Margaret Brown, Kelch Harvey Brown - 1921-1979 - Father Rittie(Ratta)Wells, Brown- 1882-1939 - Grandmother Hannah Rita Bates, Wells - 1823-1906 - Great Grandmother John W. Bates - 1784-1864 - Great Great Grandfather Captain Caleb Bates - 1736-1834 Caleb Bates - 1717-1740 Caleb Bates - 1666-1747 Joseph Bates - 1628-1706 Clement Bates - 1595-1671 James Bates - 1555-1613 John Bates - 1521