Hi Peggy, I am always working (off and on) on Sylvia's diary and its characters and have some new people and info in the last couple of months let alone since whenever we last corresponded. What would you like me to send you? YOu asked about Josiah Lewis's sons recently. Email me-- aobrien@dar.org and I'll send you whatever you like.
Unfortunately I hit the same wall with Emma. I saw the name Lydia, and I think Emma in a later census says she was b. in NY, so I looked for any possible Deans in NY of the right age earlier...couldn't find anything at all. Haven't looked further lately but it's possible Emma's death cert. would ask her parents' names and maybe we can find that.