Anderson's Great Migration Directory lists at least six distinct William Browns in New England in the PGM timeframe. Two in particular, William of Salem and William of Salem & Gloucester, are (understandably!) frequently conflated, even by highly reputable sources that Anderson regularly cites and we PGM folks rely upon.
Dawes-Gates 1:121 and Farr Anc 44 both attribute to William of Salem & Gloucester a son James, bap. 2 Jan 1658/9 in Salem, noting that he is not named in his father's 1662 will. However, Anderson in GM2:1:444 attributes this baptism to James, the son of William of Salem, and adds that this James died in Salem Aug 1659.
William of Salem & Gloucester was dismissed by the Salem church to the Gloucester church in 1642 (per Anderson), and his daughter Mary was born in Gloucester in 1649 (per D-G, Farr, and Gloucester VR), so we know he was no longer in Salem by 1658/9, making it clear which William was James' father.
What should happen to the two profiles for James, given that well-meaning researchers citing reliable sources will surely want to add the errant James back if we remove him?
- Merge them, with Research Notes on the remaining and related profiles, and perhaps PPP on these two most easily confused Williams?
- Leave them separate, with a didn't-exist template and Research Notes on the errant James?
Thanks friends!
