Appendix II
Massey Numbers - Conventions

Massey Numbers - Purpose: Early on, it became obvious that some way had to be devised to positively identify every person, male and female, surnamed Massey.

As mentioned in the Foreword, the habit of the early Massey's of naming children after their close relatives, created a confusing duplication of given names.  There are a number of these situations: several Massey's with the same given names, contemporary, or with overlapping life cycles.

So, I have assigned a serial number, which I call Massey Number, to each person in this clan surnamed Massey.  These Massey Numbers resemble Social Security Numbers, and serve the same purpose: positive identification.

My Massey Number assignment list includes only those Massey's that come within the scope of this book.  The Assignment list can be extended, if desired, to include the groups of Massey's that emigrated from Maryland to geographical areas outside the scope of this book.

Numbers Underlined. This is done to identify those Massey's positively identified in 1908 by J.G. and E.T. Massey. Numbers enclosed in Parentheses. This identifies those Masseys identified  by 401.Mary Ball Massey Brittle and the information shared in 1980-81. Plus sign prefix. This is done to indicate that additional information occurs under that person's name and Massey Number. Massey numbers prefixed "M". This serves to identify the Massy group that, headed by 6.Benjamin Franklin Massey, emigrated in 1873 from Maryland to Missouri.  This Missouri branch of the Massey family is the subject of Section III of this book. Massey Numbers prefixed N, S, V and Y. These prefixes identify those Massey groups that emigrated from Maryland to geographical areas other than Missouri, not within the scope of this book; within the domain of Judge Massey's research. Note that Judge Massey possessed a mass of data concerning those Massey's who emigrated from within the scope of this book to areas in his domain not in this book. Massey Number Suffixes. This device serves to identify those Massey's who have been assigned a place in this Massey family "By Hypothesis."  By this term we mean that it is not a positive identification; but an identification that has been made as the result of careful research and intelligent judgment.  With this in mind, use these, "By Hypothesis," identifications with caution. In this book, when Judge Massey identifies a person's place in the Massey line "By Hypothesis," we identify this by giving the Massey Number the suffix "M."  When Lou Hough does so, we use "H."  When I do so we use the suffix "L."

We use this, "By Hypothesis," device to fill a real genealogical need; to preserve research that strongly suggests that the individual so identified is a member of the line; or, better yet, is a member of a specific family in the line.

We preserve the results of this research, so it may act as a stepping-stone toward additional research.  We identify yet we do not mislead; we say in advance that it is a qualified identification.

We have no quarrel with genealogical purists; who perhaps would discard these qualified identifications entirely; or at least would place them in an "unidentified" or "misplaced" list.

Birth Dates I show a birth date for each person on the Massy Number assignment list.  This is done to assist researchers.  There are three degrees of accuracy of these birth dates.  Where the birth date is accurately known; as from a Bible record, it is shown simply as: b. 1752.  Where there is documentation, pointing strongly to a date, it is listed:  b.c. 1755.  When a birth date has been nominated, based on judgment and logic; intended as a guide only, and to be used with caution, it is listed:  b.[c. 1760]. Death Dates A blank indicates that we have no knowledge or clue.  Otherwise, we follow the same date assignment plan as we do for birth dates. Parent Numbers I have added these to aid researchers to quickly move backward and forward between parents and children. Index The Massey Number Assignment list is very useful; but it is not an index.  Section VI of this book is the actual index.