PGM: Proposal to sever Theodora/Pandora Sparrow of Eastham, from the Bangs family and change LNAB to unknown [closed]

Question

Please see comments below.  The PGM project intends to make these changes unless evidence can be provided to support this relationship.

On 28 May 2023 Nace Few wrote on Bangs-93:

Hello Anna H. & the Puritan Migration project, I'm wondering why "Pandora"/Theodora Sparrow has the surname Bangs. Her supposed father, John Bangs, left a 1631 Last Will & Testament, & does not mention a daughter with that name or any variation. There doesn't appear to be any evidence to support this or any surname. If none can be presented, her surname should be changed unknown. Nace

Comments

Thank you "M Cole" for emailing me & for initiating this process.  I'm glad this issue has been resolved.

Best wishes,

Nace

Answer 1

I agree that Pandora should be severed from the supposed parents, and I find nothing in Barnstable county records to support her being a "Bangs." She arrived in New England already married. The Bangs surname is one found in the lower Cape area where they settled, and it's more than likely that someone has recently misascribing the daughter-in-law's maiden name to Pandora. Frederick Freeman didn't give her a surname, nor do I see any mention in Amos Otis' Genealogical Notes, which would be the most likely places to find a (guessed/purported) surname in this location & era. 

Comments

Bobbie, if I wanted to research early Barnstable County marriages for the period between 1625 and 1700 should I use the Amos Otis source instead of Torrey?

---

No, Leigh Anne. I would first check the town & Colony records, then review the sources Torrey provides, then if there are still outstanding questions, I'd see what Freeman and Otis had to say. I would rely on Otis only when there is a primary record to support what he says.

Answer 2

She has now been renamed to Pandora Unknown.

Comments

Thanks, Bobbie!