Welcome! This site is dedicated to Bates Family History but namely the ancestry and descendency of Oliver Bates (b. 7 Aug 1763 in Shelburne Falls, Franklin, Massachusetts) and Rebecca Hart (b. 1763 Deerfield, Franklin, Massachusetts, USA, d. 1840 in Henderson, Jefferson, New York) m. 16 Sep 1782.

I will not pretend to have all the information on Bates ancestry and what I do have may even be incorrect. I am always in the process of trying to confirm the accuracy of information and will try to provide sources when possible. Also, I do not have the time to put together a detailed history for all the many family tree branches and will not pretend I can do this all myself.

Please, I beg (really, I do!), if you have a web site put together for any lines that would fall under the scope of this site, please e-mail me and let me know. I will put a link on the left side of this main page or under one of the main Bates Lines listed. If you see an error anywhere, please correct me. If you have family history stories and/or histories for any localities these Bates and other allied lines lived, please e-mail me. Do you want to create a web site for your branch but don't have a place to put it or want a site without advertisements popping up everywhere and slowing down every page? E-mail me and we can see about putting your web site on BatesPlace.com, no charge whatsoever.

Family History is for sharing and that is what this site is all about. I want to share what I have and have found so others can enjoy learning about their heritage. Frankly, dates and place names are just a very minor part of what Family History/Genealogy is all about. What our ancestors experienced is what, in my opinion, Family History/Genealogy is really all about. The environment they lived in (cultural, political, religious and environmental) and the trials and triumphants they experienced is truly the history of our families.

This is, of course, a work in progress. So, keep watching for additions.