To my fellow roots list subscribers: At first I was offended by Roy's comment, but then it dawned on me he might have subscribed expecting a different subject content...maybe he's into forestry or plumbing. Perhaps now would be a good time to restate the list purpose- a mission statement, if you will. I see this as a forum to exchange family structure and historical information. As one of those highly blessed by having been born and raised among the very fine folks of East Texas (specifically in Nacogdoches, Shelby and Panola Counties) I see this as a way to swap stories, since everyone born there is related to just about everyone. It pleases me to see the names I grew up among to be the subject of research, names like Youngblood, Bridwell, Ussery, Ritter, Johnson, Millard, Tipton, Tucker, and others. Even though not directly related, I know stories about the people who inhabit those names. It takes me back to a simpler and calmer time when my grandmothers would tell me stories about their childhoods and details of how every family in the county was kin by marriage. I wish I had taken notes- I'd trade just about anything for an hour to sit and chat about family with either of grandmothers. Life is so complex and families are so scattered now- I just bet that's what we all seek. It's not garbage-it's understanding history and having a frame of reference to interpret history. My most interesting genealogical discovery so far has been that my ancestors owned the property and plantation home in Georgia that was sold to Margaret Mitchell's ancestor. She grew up in the same house my kinfolks did- no wonder the book "Gone with the Wind" struck a chord in me- it's like racial memory. Any way- thats why I value genealogy and I value this list and its contributors, even Roy who is so misguided....Melinda