We are delighted to announce that some of the most knowledgeable local historians will address the people, places and protocols of the early settlement here on the South Coast. They will be presenting some new material and significant insights into the uniqueness of the vast land settlement of "Old Dartmouth" which, as you know, comprised the land mass of Westport, Dartmouth, New Bedford, Fairhaven, Acushnet and parts of Tiverton and Little Compton. Our first three speakers are highly respected contributing members of the Dartmouth Historical and Arts Society (DHAS):

• Sally M. Aldrich, Historian, will present an overview of the Dartmouth Propriety established in 1652 and the little-known history that unfolded over the following century that made this area unique among New England towns.
• Robert E. Harding, Ph.D, president of DHAS, will discuss "Delanos" and a Few Surprises in the Old Dartmouth Town Meeting Records 1680-1786. Included will be a variety of excerpts from the records which give insight into the way of life of Old Dartmouth as well as special actions prior to and during the Revolutionary War.
• Richard Gifford, Esq., will reveal some of the early homesteads, farms and land transactions of some of the very old family names: Delano, Church, Cooke, Spooner. His research of deeds may help to pinpoint the exact location of Lt. Jonathan Delano home which has remained a mystery.
• George B. DeLano, Delano Kindred Newsletter Editor and Past President, will update us on his efforts to determine the acreage and relative location of Lt. Jonathan Delano?s parcels of land contained in his Will and mentioned in the Deed of Apportionment Surveys of 1714 to 1763.

We have themed the event, "Connections: Old and New" as it is our desire to link the old family names with the families of today and encourage a better understanding of the wonderful heritage we all share in the South Coast. Toward that end, our Delano Kindred genealogist and Mayflower historian, Muriel Curtis Cushing, will be on hand to overview her works in progress. She is the author of the multi-volume "Mayflower Families in Progress" series published by the Mayflower Society titled Philip Delano of the "Fortune" 1621 and His Descendants for Four Generations. As part of the research for her books, Muriel compiled an impressive Family Tree Maker database which includes many South Coast families in addition to the Delano family. She is currently working with the Mayflower Society to complete her work as a Mayflower "Silver Book." Mayflower Society Silver Books are based upon meticulously investigated primary records and accepted as the "gold standard" by genealogists everywhere.