Margaret Dale's Page

You are welcome. I know I can find more records for you but I think those draft cards are pretty accurate and good to have as documentionation. I'll keep looking when time permits. It's kind of fun to look up some different people for a change of pace.

There is one thing you could try but I don't know how much luck you'll have with it as I have so little to go on. To give you some background...my grandfather, Herbert B. Coles, was considered an eccentric man who was obsessed with our family history. He considered himself very "English" indeed and carried it to extremes. His lifelong search for the one missing link in the family proved to be fruitless. I was given all his notes, letters and various other information he had gathered since he started investigating his ancestors. He would have loved the Internet but of course back in the early 1900's he had to search for records the old way. He would visit libraries, cemeteries and even took a position working in a courthouse so he could have access to records there. There's much more to his story but basically he was instrumental in my interest in genealogy. I was lucky indeed to have so much given to me to start on my quest.

Herbert made a career in the Canadian Royal Army and maintained a dual citizenship with both Canada and the United States. When his time was over in the service he rook up residence near my parents home where he passed away in 1954. I have pictures of him on my photo page.

As to this John Cole he believed that he came from England in 1736 and settled in Kennebunkport, Maine. He had written letters to various people in England over the years looking for more information and was never successful. Unfortunately, any vital records of this John Cole that might have been, were destroyed in a fire in the 1800's in Kennbunport, Maine. It left him with little to go on. I have investigated a lot of Cole families in this country but none match so far. There may be a connection with a Cole from Cape Porpoise, Maine which is in the township of Kennebunkport. I have in my possession a history of that town but unfortunately, I cannot make the one link I need. I have read many books, articles and research several Cole lines.

I do know that Herbert was descended from a Seth Cole of Boston, born in 1770 who married Fanny Munroe of Lexington, MA and she was descended from William Munroe originally of Scotland. Anyway, back to John and the only thing I can think of that might help solve this mystery would be some record of his emmigration from England and what his destination was. Even then I can't prove anything on this end unless he somehow would tie into another Cole family where I could trace it back. I doubt I will ever be able to do that. In some of Herbert's notes I have, he claims that John Cole was thought to be an Admiral in the British Navy and brought a gold-headed cane with him to this country. It was said to be passed down to succeeding John's in each
generation. Where that story came from is unknown and probably not at all factual. I'll never know but it's fun to hear about it.

The name John Cole is a rather popular English name so I don't know how much you possibly could find out. Meanwhile, I will continue to check on sources and citations for your Wilfred's children when time permits.

Thank you for your nice comments.

Steph