Jousha Baker m Nat Tomlinson,Jr's sister was the long hunter near old Richard Wells,1774,WV upper panhandle. Baker-Tomlinson were from the Upper Potomac's Marsh Hundred south of Hagerstown,where Nat Sr was killed by Indians,1756. After the massacre of the Mingo Logan's family at Jousha Baker's cabin touched off Lord Dunmore's 1774 War,Jousha Baker moved,by 1780-81,to Kaskaskia,w Illinois,and Tomlinson near Natchez. Capt Jousha Baker later became a militia Capt in Mason Co,n e Ky in the area of Old Richard Wells. What is your guess for the full name of your long hunter Baker? I'll have to have daylight to search my bookshelves. Not in Draper's 'Ky Papers Calandar"

Dear Hermon, and Cousins on the List: I'm not sure how they ranged. I have a couple of references to this "Rinty or Rinta" Baker -- his first name, his real one, was John, by the way. I'll attach the file I found. He went into Tennessee and Kentucky, probably like Boone. John Stewart was Boone's brother in law, married to Hannah. He is mentioned with him. Hannah married Richard Pennington secondly after John Stewart was killed on a long hunt. 1769, maybe? The writer quotes from the book, "The Conquest of the Old Southwest, pg.139, Archibald Henderson. Also quotes from Draper's "Kings Mountain Men," and several others. Also has some things about the Eastern Kentucky feuds. It's real neat stuff. http://www.gizwebs.com/brown-baker/ Love, Your Cousin, Carolyn At 09:38 PM 6/8/02 -0400, you wrote: >Burton-long hunters You going to route these men thru Castle Woods in >Russell Co,sw Va? > > >============================== >To join Ancestry.com and access our 1.2 billion online genealogy records, >go to: >http://www.ancestry.com/rd/redir.asp?targetid=571&sourceid=1237

The New Madrid,Mo earthquaker of 1811 [?] shook chimneys down in Cincinnati, or past Illinois and Indiana,going east. It's written about in several mid-western states history. It rerouted portions of the Mississippi River,and created ,I think, 'the land between the lakes" in western Ky.

My research area is Indiana, VA and NJ. I remember reading about a lady in the 1800s writing in a journal about an earth -quake in IN and how persons reacted to it. I did a google also for IN and this is what one of the hits was. Did not find a journal listing for in the 1800s. The following has a map to it. Was in 1909 and this was not the first one but the worst one. also has a map with the site. Got many hits as to where earthquakes have happened. Very interesting. just put in indiana earthquakes and there were pages and pages of interesting info. So many only one names, dates, places of b.,d.,m., deeds to land, court proceeding, but this is history and could be in someplace a source of death or injury. CA's 1939 earthquake was a good example of that. The largest fault in mid continent or US is in New Madrid,MO which was news to me. Thing is this is all documented if we just look for it. I love the diversion to history, the why's and where for's and final results. Have a good week end, you all, Beej Beej <A HREF="http://neic.usgs.gov/neis/eqlists/USA/1909_09_27.html">NEIC: Largest Earthquake in Indiana</A> http://neic.usgs.gov/neis/eqlists/USA/1909_09_27.html

PS to the last message, Beej, There is a John Burton in the same area of Wilkes which became Ashe County NC. Love, Your Cousin, Carolyn

Hi Hermon, and Cousins, I am curious if you have anything in your files or books in regard to some of the Bakers who moved into Virginia and NC. The Bakers are heavily allied with the Penningtons, and I believe one Samuel Baker may have raised my ancestor, William Marion Pennington in Ohio or Iowa. My William M. was born near Cincinnati. Baker is a pretty common name, but one "Rinty" or Rinta Baker was one of the Long Hunters. I know you have a special interest in the backcountry people, have you ever come across him? He was around SW Virginia and NW NC, into KY and TN. I think these Bakers and other families in the Ashe County area are connected to the Wells of Maryland (Zorobabel and Humphrey) and our Cousin Barb's family might come in here. Love, Your Cousin, Carolyn

Dear Mary Ann, and Cousins on the List, We are not really interested in just one family, except the family of man -- I think you are more a part of our family than you think! I looked up the year without a summer on Google, and read with some fascination more about the year without a Summer. I am always interested in sidelights of history. I found several pages about it, and that a volcano had erupted which had altered the weather. http://home.thezone.net/~bwhiffen/articles/Rals.htm http://wchs.csc.noaa.gov/1816.htm Along about the same era there was an earthquake which was pretty startling to people too. It was called the New Madrid Earthquake. http://hsv.com/genlintr/newmadrd/accnt3.htm Some of the commentary here is quite like what you are interested in, the reaction that people were somehow to blame themselves for what had happened -- and also that they might move to where it was safer. I was also interested to see that the earthquake affected parts of Kentucky and Tennessee where some of my Watts and allied families had lived, and also, they had moved to Illinois in that same time frame. Now I'm really curious about whether the earthquake might have influenced them. It was right after the War of 1812, and bounty land was being given for service, but I think my family moved prior to the end of the War of 1812, so now I am curious. There are two websites at the University of Michigan and Cornell University called the Making of America that provide a digital library of principally 19th century texts devoted to history, and I regularly mine them for information. They are searchable, and I'm sure you could find some more thoughts about these things at those sites. http://www.hti.umich.edu/m/moa.new/ http://cdl.library.cornell.edu/moa/ We tend of think of migrations in terms of the acts of man: War, religious persecution, quarrels with neighbors, more land elsewhere, but this is a whole new perspective on the wrath of the elements affecting and creating motivations for moves. Thanks for some stimulating ideas, Mary Ann. PS to Jim -- I got a Norton virus warning on one of the e-mails that came in today. It had an attachment, and I was grateful for your warning about the dreaded Klez. I had downloaded the klez fighter after your warning and sad story. Everybody else should be aware! I was shut down from a similar one last year before I had Norton. Love, Your Cousin, Carolyn

Hi Everyone.. I am not part of your family...at this time but maybe down the road. I just want to see if anyone has heard of the "The Year Without a Summer" it is not a novel! An older cousin of mine told me about it. It was suppose to be about 1815 and they had 14 months of cold weather. She says many people moved east at that time. I would like to learn all I can about i I enjoy monitoring your list I learn a great deal from each and everyone of you. I joined because of the talk of Migration. Thanks Mary Ann in Kansas

Without genitalia there would be no genealogy. ----- Original Message ----- From: "Carolyn McDaniel" <cmacdee@centurytel.net> To: <AMXROADS-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Sunday, June 02, 2002 2:04 PM Subject: Re: [AMXROADS] Re: "kicked off" the discussion list > Dear Beej, and Cousins on the List, > I think we all have the right to self-expression. Far be it from > me to say what anyone should write. The only thing that is forbidden on > this list is inappropriate sexual commentary. And like the supreme Court > Judge said about obscenity/pornography, "I know it when I see it!" One of > the all-time funniest lines! > I think how people behave or what they write, or how they perceive > things is about them. I may not think something is very tasteful, or well > written, but that's a just matter of individuality, of course. People's > view of beauty, of art, or even of obscenity or pornography is probably > totally different from mine. Mine, and Rootsweb's, are what rule here! > Some months ago I showed some pictures of a most beautiful > sculpture of an angel, done by a friend of mine, to another friend of mine > who is Catholic, whom I hoped might purchase the sculpture. My Catholic > friend denounced the work, declaring it was pornographic. I was simply > stunned because it was so beautiful and had touched my soul. It was as if > she had attacked me, and my values, and I can't feel the same about her > anymore. I thought it so odd, because even Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel > painting contains explicit depictions of human genitalia, and obviously the > church hasn't seen anything wrong with that! On the other hand, we have > the pitiful specter of our Attorney General whose behavior and writings I > consider racist, and therefore obscene, covering the exposed breast of a > statue of "Lady Justice," which stands in the Hall of Justice of the > Justice Department in Washington. Now that's an obscenity. > (If you would like to see my friend's sculpture, it is in my gallery:) > http://www.backcountrycrossroads.com/Gallery/sherrie.html > I don't care whether you like it or not, but merely offer it as an > example of "one person's meat is another person's poison," and that beauty > and even obscenity, like most every other idea and attitude is in the eye > of the beholder. > This commentary may be a little off the track of genealogy and > history, but it is right on track about community, and tolerance, and > individuality and how we all need to learn to be accepting of one > another. We are a diverse nation, and world. As individuals we will > never be everyone's cup of tea, we can only try to be what we feel is right > for us, not inflict it on someone else and demand that they accept it. > > Love, Your Cousin, Carolyn > > > > ============================== > To join Ancestry.com and access our 1.2 billion online genealogy records, go to: > http://www.ancestry.com/rd/redir.asp?targetid=571&sourceid=1237 > >

In a message dated 6/7/02 4:00:37 AM US Mountain Standard Time, AMXROADS-D-request@rootsweb.com writes: << Finally, rather than considering whether my criticisms were on target, I was told to "shut-up" and when I didn't, I was "kicked off" the discussion list, and a few lies were told about this process as well! >> Carolyn: You have just joined an elete group of dedicated personages. I was also 'kicked of "a couple of lists because I did not say what the list owner demeanded I say. When list members found out they tried to get me to resub under a different screen name. I would not as the same things would again happen. There are persons that have "tunnel vision" when it comes to genealogy research and they just do not wish to be touted as being a "little" in the wrong. Anoather friend of mine in cyber space was also "kicked off" a list because he posted about a certain full moon that happens once in a blue moon and that it benifited Native Americans, some 60 yrs previous, in a nite time raid that was successful. It was a June Moon about '98 I believe and I was in MO on the road when this nite came about and it was a nite like daytime. Very clear, very illuminated to the point of clearity in seeing things. He is still a dear friend and is hosting his own list now also. I commend you for not being a sheep and following the line behind a wrong direction eventually it would mean no family line would be correct and would be of suspicion. Three cheers for Carolyn....Rah..Rah..Rah.... I am sure the list is with you not behind you as we all desire, it seems, the same things from research. The Truth and nothing but the TRUTH. Again this will be my 4 cents worth................Beej All have a Happy Day and a Safe Week End.............................

In a message dated 6/7/02 4:00:37 AM US Mountain Standard Time, AMXROADS-D-request@rootsweb.com writes: << I think if DNA studies are presented as identifying a particular ancestor within a surname it is likely just one more distorted, >> The way I understand DNA, and my reasoning can and could be wrong, is it is the male crotozomes that carry the line defination the way the US testing facility states it. By difference Oxford in England state it is the female line of the Seven Sisters of Eve that they trace the cheek smears for. I have a friend on the Melungan list that sent to Oxford and was thrilled with the outcome. She has certain illnesses that point to the Meditarranean area and that is where her DNA pointed to her ancestors. It has been a while since I reviewed this subject and my mind just don't want to call much more up. My two cents for what it is worth. Beej PS Both these tests with conclusions sent are costly.

Dear Caroyln, When I first came accross your web site I was a bit releaved. My sister and I are in desperate search of the parents of out ggggreat grandmother, and in the process we have come across alot of undocumented information. I found your site a bit of fresh air and eye opening. I was getting caught up adding people to my tree instead of trying to trace where they could have lived to find more information. We this new mind set we have found more records (actual records) to help us locate our ancestors. I hope you know how helpfull your site is. I look forward to your master index. Sincerely, Erin O'Connell

Here is my two cents on DNA. There are two types of DNA in every cell we've got. Nuclear DNA and mitochondrial DNA. It's the nuclear (in the nucleus) DNA that combines, egg and sperm, to make each of us the unique combination of our parents' traits, etc. Mitochondiral DNA, on the other hand, exists in a part of the cell (mitochondrial lacuna, if my memory serves me right-probably not!!) This DNA passes solely through the maternal line from mother to off-spring. If a woman has only sons, that line dies out. For this reason, tracing matriarchal lines is much, much simpler, as the only changes to this DNA are mutations that occur every couple of generations or so. Not so with nuclear DNA, which changes every generation naturally. If we've got 4 grandparents, 8 g-grandparents 16 gg-grandparents, 32 ggg grandparents ad infinitum, you can readily see how dilute any one person's DNA becomes going forward from way back when. Those funky DNA pictures you see, with the little dots and bands show the genes, etc laid out in an unravelled helix ( aw,hell; I know I've got my terminology wrong here.) are what we've got to go on in determining who is related to who. There are only so many markers in a limited range of sequences. Yes, it's possible with a gazillion samples and years of supercomputer time to figure out who is related to whom, but for the less than rigorous researcher, results sure can be spotty. And of course, mitochondrial DNA is impossible to use in trying to trace a patriarchal line, even if they are named Pennington. Sorry. Couldn't resist. Recently finished a book called "The Seven Daughters of Eve" by an English scientist who postulates that 90% of all modern Europeans (and we over here too, if we're white europeans) are descended from one of only seven women. Fascinating stuff. Regards to all, Jim ----- Original Message ----- From: "Carolyn McDaniel" <cmacdee@centurytel.net> To: <AMXROADS-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Thursday, June 06, 2002 12:32 PM Subject: [AMXROADS] Re-inventing the Wheel/Genealogy: DNA? > Dear Cousins, > As you know, I am going over files, rearranging things for the master > index I'm making. Since my time was previously limited by going to school > in my old age, a lot of things never made their way into my consciousness, > let alone the webpage or list. Also, as people come and go on the list, > all are not aware of the earlier framework, postings, etc. And, it appears > that I have not communicated in other ways, too. > So let me briefly restate some of my ideas and objectives of the list and > webpages. It is my belief that while computer genealogy and research > facilitation and resources provided by the internet are just about the > greatest things to come along since sourdough pancakes. The problem is > that computer and internet usage have quickly multiplied while basic > genealogical methodology and comprehension has not. It is easy to use a > computer. It is not so easy to grasp the nuances of sound genealogical > practices and put it to work with the new technological tools. I formed > American Crossroads out of desperation primarily because a surname group I > had been associating with for a very long time had become corrupt in its > genealogical representations and methodology. I attempted to work for > change within the group, but I found that nothing could change because the > people in the hierarchy were more interested in maintaining their position > in the organization rather than properly collecting and disseminating > truthful genealogical information. Finally, rather than considering > whether my criticisms were on target, I was told to "shut-up" and when I > didn't, I was "kicked off" the discussion list, and a few lies were told > about this process as well! So much for that bit of shameful ancient > history, but the beat goes on and on. > As recently as a week ago that same group sought to link to some of my > webpages without properly attributing them to me, ignoring my copyrights > and subtly implying that I had some connection to their group! The > information this organization puts out is beyond speculative, it is highly > inaccurate, and yet is presented as fact. They are unable to verify the > information because they have been collecting it for so many years in > substandard ways that they have no idea where much of it came from or why > something is stated to be a determinant of a particular lineage. Yet, > unknowing people pay about $25 a year to be a member of this organization, > without questioning the underpinnings or outlook of this group. > Before there was so much of this kind of faulty information being > generated from improper computer and internet usage, this same group was > spreading false lineages within its printed material. In 1989, full of > despair over straightening out my own lineage, I began anew. When life > gives you lemons, make lemonade! It was the beginning of real genealogical > enlightenment for me. I quit relying on the established research outlook > of others, did my own original research, and increasingly found the > "official" view was way off base. > Now here's the point of all this: In re-inventing the wheel, I invented > a better wheel. Not only did I discover new data, and started making new > interpretations of it, I discovered that computers and the internet could > be used for good not evil! There's an amazing amount of actual data > available on the internet if you know how to seek it out and utilize > it. And computer and internet tools are making it easier all the > time. What is discouraging is that many people are still taken in by > groups who simply refuse to embrace state of the art standards for > genealogy in the same way they have embraced the mechanical and > technological tools. > I think the latest problem is DNA "studies" that are being undertaken. I > have no idea what these cost, but it is clear to me that individuals will > never obtain the results being suggested by this particular group. My own > genealogical studies show that because of intermarriages, name changes, > misspellings, poor transcriptions, faulty interpretation, etc. > identification of families by surname is a very iffy thing. Quite frankly, > attempting to ascribe people to one particular lineage within a surname > seems statistically impossible to me given the inaccuracy of setting up and > designating these lineages in the first place, as well as the small > representation available for participation in such a "study." The basic > problem is that I have found people of a surname marrying within the same > kinship groups in widely different localities over several hundred > years. How can these be relegated to a particular ancestor when it appears > to me that even the most ancient immigrant ancestors were probably > related??!! Brigham Young University is doing DNA studies and these will > taken in huge numbers of persons, over several years. Here in Oregon, I > have talked to Oregon Health Sciences University people who have expressed > interest in my genealogical studies. I am not aware of studies that > suggest similar methodology or results as this surname organization is > touting. > I think if DNA studies are presented as identifying a particular ancestor > within a surname it is likely just one more distorted, although very up to > the minute, state of the art attempt to remove people from their > $$$$$. I'd like to hear from anyone who has a different take on > this. Michael, you're a highly intelligent person whom I know is > interested in DNA. What say you? Am I missing the point? Dick, I know > you've participated in DNA testing, but it didn't attempt to pinpoint a > specific lineage from what you've told me. Any comments? Anyone? > > Love, Your Cousin, Carolyn > > > > ============================== > To join Ancestry.com and access our 1.2 billion online genealogy records, go to: > http://www.ancestry.com/rd/redir.asp?targetid=571&sourceid=1237 > >

Dear Erin, and Cousins, Thanks so very much for your comments. I try, and it's awfully nice to hear that I'm getting through. And Erin, let me know any specific names or localities I can help with. The master index will help a lot, and as I go along creating it, I'm also trying to straighten out many of the links that have never gotten put up or updated when the pages were added at Rootsweb, so that will help too. Appreciation is always welcome here. Love, Your Cousin, Carolyn

Dear Jim, and Cousins, Thanks! And, great minds, even if distantly related -- etc. -- That book you mentioned, "The Seven Daughters of Eve" is by Bryan Sykes, Ph.D., who is Professor of Human Genetics at Oxford University and Chairman of Oxford Ancestors, Ltd. He was the principal speaker at the GENTECH 2002 convention in Boston, where I received the award for my limited efforts (she said modestly!) in the genealogy/technology field. Thanks for your always enlightening and enlivening comments, Jim. Love, Your cousin, Carolyn

Dear Cousins, Beej has privately sent me the following from another group which is very interesting, and which is certainly on target as a subject for our awareness. One of my recent webpages was about my wonderful "new" cousin Pat who was deprived for years by the laws of the state of Michigan about the basic information about her parentage. http://freepages.history.rootsweb.com/~amxroads/Ptncousins/index.html Similar legislation has been enacted here in Oregon, removing public records from the public. It appears that the only persons entitled to "public" records are the bureaucratic records keepers themselves. Suit was brought by adoptees and they have been given access to the information. However, despite this forced compassionate response for Adoptees, that does not relieve the situation for the rest of us who also have a right to public information but are being deprived of it by "the government." I believe there are many equally repressive laws in other states. Love, Your Cousin, Carolyn Date: Wed, 05 Jun 2002 13:48:13 -0700 From: Linda McCleary <limccle@lib.az.us> To: AZ-AGCIG-L@rootsweb.com Subject: [AZ-AGCIG] Fwd: California June 5 Legislative Report This is the information from Iris Jones, California State Genealogical Alliance (CSGA) Legislative Network Coordinator, regarding the banning of birth and death records and indexes in California. Please excuse duplication. Linda McCleary FGS/NGS Records Preservation and Access Committee >From: Iris Jones <ijones@accessbee.com> >Subject: June 5 Legislative Report >Date: Wed, 05 Jun 2002 13:32:18 -0700 > >On Wed, 05 Jun 2002 13:27:40 -0700, Iris Jones <ijones@accessbee.com> wrote: > >LEGISLATIVE UPDATE - JUNE 5, 2002 > >SB1614 has been a busy little bill. Last week it was held in Senate >Appropriations under submission awaiting language on implementing the >financing. On May 30, 2002, we find the author had stripped the >bill of all language leaving only the following, > >"Existing law requires the Director of Health Services, as the State >Registrar of Vital Statistics, to administer the registration of >births, deaths, fetal deaths, and marriages. Existing law requires the >State Registrar to arrange and permanently preserve the certificates >in a systematic manner and to prepare and maintain a comprehensive >and continuous index of all certificates registered. >"This bill would declare the intent of Legislature to enact >legislation to protect the confidentiality of birth and death record >indices." This indicates SB1614 is an 'intent bill' only. It was then >passed through the Appropriations Committee as such on June 3, 2002 >on a vote only. I am told that this is a courtesy legislators afford one >another. It will go to the Senate Floor this week and can pass the >same way. Once in the Assembly the author will have to submit >language. > >WHAT HAPPENED? It would appear that it was the money. The >Appropriations Committee Fiscal Summary, states that the cost to the >State registrar of the bill in this form would added up to "more than >$2 million in the first year and major ongoing costs. In addition, the >local mandated costs would have been in the multimillions annually." >This statement speaks volumes. > >WHAT WILL THE AUTHOR DO NEXT? My calls to the Governor's office >andthe Senator's office have yielded no information. Some of my calls >have never been answered. > >WHAT CAN WE DO? At this point absolutely nothing. Until there is >language in the bill, we can only wait and watch. > COMMENTARY: As soon as there is language I will get a report out, >and at that point we can determine what to do next. I think that the >interest and efforts on the part of members of the genealogy and >historical community have been marvelous. For all those who have >passed on and shared their information, written, faxed, called, and >encouraged me --- you are wonderful. They do know we are out here. >But we can not get complacent, we have not won the battle, it has only >been delayed. A retired lobbyist once told me, 'that there is no such >thing as a dead bill.' Right now that is my worst nightmare. > >You should all know that we are not the only ones fighting to save our >indexes, along with the Newspaper Publishers Association, and First >Amendment Coalition, I have been contacted by several estate law >firms, genealogists and organizations from Utah and as far away as >Florida. Also, the Bastard Nations who, like us, are actively fighting >this legislation. I have told them that we are more than happy to >work with them for our mutual goal, to keep public records public. > >OTHER BILLS we are following: SB247, Speier, on certified copies of >birth certificates is now in the Assembly Judiciary. SB1237, Speier, >to prohibit banks from using maiden names as identifiers, is now >in the Assembly Business and Finance Committee. Other bills relating >to privacy are in varying stages within the process. Nation's AB1775 >sponsored by the Governor seem to have met with some problems >and it remains in the Assembly Judiciary 'under submission.' AB2297, >Simitian, relating to privacy on-line commercial sales has moved to >the Senate; AB2922, Simitian, on the gathering of personal information >within state agencies has moved to the Senate Judiciary. Several >others have simply died do to lack of action. It appears that the >finance and insurance institutions' influence is strong enough to >continue to hamper privacy bills. While legislators work to develop >the more expensive 'opt-in options' for the public, the industry >continues to put pressure on to allow the less expensive option of >public to 'opt-out.' Obviously, the cost to company is the >determining factor. > >To follow State Legislation, check the State Web site at >/" EUDORA="AUTOURL"http://www.sen.ca.gov> or order copies from >the Bill Room, State Capital, Sacramento, CA 95814 or call to order >916-445-2323. To be added to my Network, send your name, name of your organization, and E-mail address, to me indicating you wish to >be added to the Legislative Network, <ijones@accessbee.com>.---5 >June 2002, CSGA Legislative Network Coordinator, Iris Carter Jones. >[Permission granted to reprint Legislative reports. Please cite your >source.] Linda Mc

Dear Cousins, As you know, I am going over files, rearranging things for the master index I'm making. Since my time was previously limited by going to school in my old age, a lot of things never made their way into my consciousness, let alone the webpage or list. Also, as people come and go on the list, all are not aware of the earlier framework, postings, etc. And, it appears that I have not communicated in other ways, too. So let me briefly restate some of my ideas and objectives of the list and webpages. It is my belief that while computer genealogy and research facilitation and resources provided by the internet are just about the greatest things to come along since sourdough pancakes. The problem is that computer and internet usage have quickly multiplied while basic genealogical methodology and comprehension has not. It is easy to use a computer. It is not so easy to grasp the nuances of sound genealogical practices and put it to work with the new technological tools. I formed American Crossroads out of desperation primarily because a surname group I had been associating with for a very long time had become corrupt in its genealogical representations and methodology. I attempted to work for change within the group, but I found that nothing could change because the people in the hierarchy were more interested in maintaining their position in the organization rather than properly collecting and disseminating truthful genealogical information. Finally, rather than considering whether my criticisms were on target, I was told to "shut-up" and when I didn't, I was "kicked off" the discussion list, and a few lies were told about this process as well! So much for that bit of shameful ancient history, but the beat goes on and on. As recently as a week ago that same group sought to link to some of my webpages without properly attributing them to me, ignoring my copyrights and subtly implying that I had some connection to their group! The information this organization puts out is beyond speculative, it is highly inaccurate, and yet is presented as fact. They are unable to verify the information because they have been collecting it for so many years in substandard ways that they have no idea where much of it came from or why something is stated to be a determinant of a particular lineage. Yet, unknowing people pay about $25 a year to be a member of this organization, without questioning the underpinnings or outlook of this group. Before there was so much of this kind of faulty information being generated from improper computer and internet usage, this same group was spreading false lineages within its printed material. In 1989, full of despair over straightening out my own lineage, I began anew. When life gives you lemons, make lemonade! It was the beginning of real genealogical enlightenment for me. I quit relying on the established research outlook of others, did my own original research, and increasingly found the "official" view was way off base. Now here's the point of all this: In re-inventing the wheel, I invented a better wheel. Not only did I discover new data, and started making new interpretations of it, I discovered that computers and the internet could be used for good not evil! There's an amazing amount of actual data available on the internet if you know how to seek it out and utilize it. And computer and internet tools are making it easier all the time. What is discouraging is that many people are still taken in by groups who simply refuse to embrace state of the art standards for genealogy in the same way they have embraced the mechanical and technological tools. I think the latest problem is DNA "studies" that are being undertaken. I have no idea what these cost, but it is clear to me that individuals will never obtain the results being suggested by this particular group. My own genealogical studies show that because of intermarriages, name changes, misspellings, poor transcriptions, faulty interpretation, etc. identification of families by surname is a very iffy thing. Quite frankly, attempting to ascribe people to one particular lineage within a surname seems statistically impossible to me given the inaccuracy of setting up and designating these lineages in the first place, as well as the small representation available for participation in such a "study." The basic problem is that I have found people of a surname marrying within the same kinship groups in widely different localities over several hundred years. How can these be relegated to a particular ancestor when it appears to me that even the most ancient immigrant ancestors were probably related??!! Brigham Young University is doing DNA studies and these will taken in huge numbers of persons, over several years. Here in Oregon, I have talked to Oregon Health Sciences University people who have expressed interest in my genealogical studies. I am not aware of studies that suggest similar methodology or results as this surname organization is touting. I think if DNA studies are presented as identifying a particular ancestor within a surname it is likely just one more distorted, although very up to the minute, state of the art attempt to remove people from their $$$$$. I'd like to hear from anyone who has a different take on this. Michael, you're a highly intelligent person whom I know is interested in DNA. What say you? Am I missing the point? Dick, I know you've participated in DNA testing, but it didn't attempt to pinpoint a specific lineage from what you've told me. Any comments? Anyone? Love, Your Cousin, Carolyn

Dear Cousins, The How-To page for creating your own Databases is finally up. I hope it is helpful for those of you unfamiliar with a process for doing this. If you have any problems, or need any help, or if I haven't been clear, please call, er... E-mail me! Love, Your Cousin, Carolyn

Dear Cousins On the List: I have been working on reorganizing -- no, make that organizing (!) the website. After moving the pages three times and trying to re-establish links each time it's gotten very disorganized, and many links don't work, which is frustrating. Also, I have discovered that I need to re-format many pages themselves to make them easier to view and the texts more readable. I have started with an Index, for which I have A-B finished. So, I'm working on it; please be patient. http://freepages.history.rootsweb/~amxroads/NDX.index.html I've put up Chronology, and will be putting up a similar page on how to make your own databases from lists you either set up yourself or copy from data available on the internet. The first Chronology is at http://freepages.history.rootsweb/~amxroads/Chron/17cent.html and the first database instruction will be at http://freepages.history.rootsweb/~amxroads/Howdata/index.html List/database making is a very effective way to analyze your information genealogically. I suggest you begin by using the how-to lists I've given and then progress to anything you have on hand already in your files. Much easier than typing everything into a database software, although this is necessary with a lot of information. Practice with the provided lists, next try utilizing info you've collected, and then go to the final state of using printed information you want to analyze. We have to learn to crawl before we walk. Most "researchers" are running over the internet before they crawl over it. As we all know, this has produced disastrous results in Genealogy Land. Last week I had to defend some of my copyrighted material which was presented on a Surname organization webpage as though I, and my copyrighted material was part of their research effort. No acknowledgement was given to me as the author, nor was any recognition made of the years it has taken to establish quality of information they so blithely usurped as though it was their own. PLEASE PLEASE pay careful attention to the rights of others when you copy anything. There is a BIG, not a fine line/distinction between copying a public domain list of names, for example, and copying the page that has been published on the internet, or in a printed work. Most authors, as well as the copyright laws recognize that copying a few pages from something on the internet or a printed work does nothing to harm their exclusive work. This is permissible under the "fair use," rules of copyrighted material. However, presenting the thing in it's entirety without acknowledgement, or permission, or as if it was your own, is plagiarism, and is highly illegal. Also, be sure to include sources as well as references. This is both out of respect for others' work as well as for your own purposes when you come back to it several years later and wonder where in the world it came from! Have some goal in mind when making a chronology. What do you want to learn from it? If you only include one surname, will you learn anything beyond what you already know? Sometimes a one name surname chronology can reveal absurdities in attributed parentage, but mostly, if you aren't incorporating information surrounding a single family, you will not progress in any significant way. The chronology I've set up reflects various influences on the first immigrations to America in the mid 17th century. Once I taught a genealogy class on this topic using Albrecht Durer's "Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse," because, condensed, the influences of 17th Century immigration can be summed up with that work. Death, War, Pestilence and Famine were the factors that sent most immigrants to the New World, and Religion dissention and war lay behind most of those. Works like the ones I've included of Durer and the Brughel attempted to portray the conditions. Brughel the Elder, in particular painted works that shows us a great deal about ordinary lives of our ancestors. You can gain much insight while composing a chronology of this type. When designing a more individualized chronology remember to stick to facts. Don't put down when you "think" someone was born. Rely on documented facts to establish the timeline. I believe in the case of Abraham "The Trader" Pennington, a whole generation has been lost because a timeline for his has been so difficult to establish. Since his children, and their children bear the same names, it becomes increasingly difficult to separate their identities. A proper chronology can help enormously with this, but need as much data as can be dug up. Comparisons can't be done if you simply rearrange what you've worked with for years. Bring in new information about allied and kinship families, and blend this with locality information that will help you iclarify and interpret what your documents mean. I have several other pages aaaaalllllmost finished! One that I've finalized is about some of my Pennington cousins. I hope you enjoy them. http://freepages.history.rootsweb.com/~amxroads/Ptncousins/index.html Love, Your Cousin, Carolyn

Dear Beej, and Cousins on the List, I think we all have the right to self-expression. Far be it from me to say what anyone should write. The only thing that is forbidden on this list is inappropriate sexual commentary. And like the supreme Court Judge said about obscenity/pornography, "I know it when I see it!" One of the all-time funniest lines! I think how people behave or what they write, or how they perceive things is about them. I may not think something is very tasteful, or well written, but that's a just matter of individuality, of course. People's view of beauty, of art, or even of obscenity or pornography is probably totally different from mine. Mine, and Rootsweb's, are what rule here! Some months ago I showed some pictures of a most beautiful sculpture of an angel, done by a friend of mine, to another friend of mine who is Catholic, whom I hoped might purchase the sculpture. My Catholic friend denounced the work, declaring it was pornographic. I was simply stunned because it was so beautiful and had touched my soul. It was as if she had attacked me, and my values, and I can't feel the same about her anymore. I thought it so odd, because even Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel painting contains explicit depictions of human genitalia, and obviously the church hasn't seen anything wrong with that! On the other hand, we have the pitiful specter of our Attorney General whose behavior and writings I consider racist, and therefore obscene, covering the exposed breast of a statue of "Lady Justice," which stands in the Hall of Justice of the Justice Department in Washington. Now that's an obscenity. (If you would like to see my friend's sculpture, it is in my gallery:) http://www.backcountrycrossroads.com/Gallery/sherrie.html I don't care whether you like it or not, but merely offer it as an example of "one person's meat is another person's poison," and that beauty and even obscenity, like most every other idea and attitude is in the eye of the beholder. This commentary may be a little off the track of genealogy and history, but it is right on track about community, and tolerance, and individuality and how we all need to learn to be accepting of one another. We are a diverse nation, and world. As individuals we will never be everyone's cup of tea, we can only try to be what we feel is right for us, not inflict it on someone else and demand that they accept it. Love, Your Cousin, Carolyn