I originally posted this under the NEHGS board but I thought I should post it here as well.

I am trying to trace my paternal lineage. I have been at it for many years and fear I may have gone as far as I can, so I am casting as wide a net as possible in the hopes someone might give me the break I need. The situation is a bit convoluted and I'm not really sure where to start or how to explain all the details without it becoming too confusing, but I will do my best.

Here is the basic tree:
Magloire Ducharme b. 1828 Canada d.1910 North Adams Ma. (my GGGGrandfather)
m1. Lucy Reves b.1841 Burlington Vt d.1880 Adams Ma.
Ch. Magloire b.1857 Rutland Vt d. 1938 North Adams Ma (my GGgrandfather)
Delia b. abt 1859 Vt
Duffy b. abt 1861 Vt
Eleanor b. abt 1864 Ma
Melina b. abt 1872 Ma
Louisa b. 1875 North Adams Ma
moblisse b. 1877 North Adams Ma

m2. Elizabeth
Ch. Nelson
Mary Rose
Clara
Matilda

Looks straight forward, but here are the problems. The only information here that is verifiable are events that occurred in North Adams (or Adams before it was split) and are on record. Everything else is unverified. For example, Lucy's death record lists her parents as John and Delia with her birthplace in Vt. I have been unable to find any records to support this.
The real big issue is that prior to 1881 the were going by the surname Bates. The earliest definitive record I have for the family is the 1865 MA census, Adams township. This record also lists Sr. and Jr. as Michael. The 1870 and 1880 Federal are the same with the exception of Michael changing to Mark. In 1880 Lucy Bates dies. In 1881 Magloire Sr. remarries to Elizabeth and both Jr. and Delia marry, all recorded as Ducharme. These are the first records where the Ducharme surname is used.
Just for clarification, the Children of Magloire Sr. and Lucy is a best guess, with the exception of Jr. and Delia (who are pretty well documented). There are several birth records for children named Bates born to a Mark and Lucy in North Adams before 1880. however, there are conflicts with names and dates, and I honestly haven't spent much time trying to sort it out. The most interesting info from those records is that they list Lucy's birth place as Burlington VT.
Finally, I have come across a couple records that might be pertinent. From the LDS website I found a birth record for a Delia Louisa Edrow b. Dec 3 1858 Wallingford township, Rutland VT to Michael and Lucy, and a birth record for Michael Adro b. Mar 9 1861 Wallingford, to Michael and Lucy (This record lists her maiden name as Rivers, Lucy's death record gives it as Reves). These seem to corroborate the info that Jr. was born may 13 1857 in Wallingford, but I have as yet been unable to confirm that. I was also able to find the 1860 Federal census for Wallingford listing Michael Adrow b.1826, his wife Lucy b. 1830, and children John b.1857 and Mary b.1858-59.
Of course there are more details but I think I have covered the most pertinent parts. I know this is a lot to read though and understand, and I thank if you took the time. I'm hoping someone out there can shed some light on this. Even the smallest bit of information would be greatly appreciated. Please feel free to contact me with any questions or comments. Again I am very grateful for your time.

Sincerely,
Jeff Ducharme