But the terms are perfectly logical--a mother BY LAW.  The term brother-in-law for stepbrother is also quite common and misunderstanding it has sometimes led whole families astray. The will of a John Mason in Botetourt names his mother "Leah McKeachy"--and some researchers insist on assuming he meant wife--because a James McKeachy is named as brother-in-law.  It seems fairly clear to me that the widowed Leah Mason married a McKeachy and James was her stepson--and James Mason's stepbrother. Certainly makes a world of difference in a pedigree chart! 
 
 
> Date: Wed, 16 Feb 2011 12:28:05 -0500
> From: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: [VA-ROOTS] Mother-in-Law versus Step-Mother
> To: [log in to unmask]
> 
> Yes, this is quite common. The use of terms to express relationships during that period, and earlier, is not consistent with modern day usage.
> 
> Donald W. Moore
> Virginia Beach, Virginia
> To subscribe, change options, or unsubscribe, please see the instructions at
> http://listlva.lib.va.us/archives/va-roots.html
 		 	   		  
To subscribe, change options, or unsubscribe, please see the instructions at
http://listlva.lib.va.us/archives/va-roots.html