Ebook The Rotches

I would try to write a story of the Rotch family and to compile a genealogy thereof. Some four years later, during a long illness, I wrote what I expected to be the first chapter, a story of the original Joseph Rotch and what little I could learn of his father William. Slightly changed, this chapter was delivered as an address before the Old Dartmouth Historical Society in New Bedford on Decem ber 12, 1981. During my illness I also wrote the stories of the original Francis, and of Benjamin and his descendants who lived in England. Fortunately for myself, but unfortunately for the Rotch history, my illness departed. I found that I became much too busy again with my profession and with various civic matters to give much time to writing, or to keeping up with the ever changing list of individuals who compose the family. I made sundry attempts to get back at the work, but finally came to the conclusion that, if I ever were to get anything published, I should both have to cut down somewhat on the scope of my original plan, and get outside assistance. I was fortunate in obtaining the services of Mr. William M. Emery, a professional genealogist, who did much work collect ing family facts until the outbreak of the Second World War called a halt to our undertaking. After the War, Which had, of course, accelerated marriages, births, and deaths, we started again. Once more Mr. Emery contacted members of the family with forms and letters seeking information on family changes. The data published in this book is not, of course, entirely complete, but we feel it better to publish what we have than to delay while we seek further in formation.