Many years ago I learned the principle that 'it is more blessed to give than to receive'. Volunteering my time and service to this Project has come to be the way in which I can fulfill this in my life. In reviewing your requests I've decided to put up a section called 'wish list' as a future projects feature with the provision that if the material is transcribed and donated to the website, I'll add it there. In thinking further, of what to put online for the coming year, I've tried to find and focus in on items that will provide the most information for the largest audience. While some names will be more prevalent than others, it is hoped that by presenting this selection of material that a wide variety of names and some depth will be provided. To that end I am currently reviewing 2 or 3 history of Savannah texts, to be added to the website. These are all from over 100 years ago and thus I suppose the history in these texts may be fresher than texts of today as they were written closer to the time of the actual events and probably offer more depth. Now in thinking of what further material would have the best impact for the most folk it would in my opinion be census records. To that end, my first focus and effort will be to continue the 1850 census and procure and add the 1860 census for Chatham county. Of course other records will be added as they become available but working alone - these 'gifts' I've placed before you, could not be delivered within the year 2003. It will require the help of many others. If you would volunteer to assist, please contact me to do so, for in doing so it bears out the principle that 'many hands make light work'. Happy Holidays everyone. Tim Stowell

Although late, this poem was sent to me by a friend and I opened it this AM (Thursday). Hope everyone had a great Christmas! Bob Carter Greensboro, NC -------------------- A Genealogist's Christmas Eve (author unknown) 'Twas the night before Christmas when all through the house, Not a creature was stirring, not even my spouse. The dining room table with clutter was spread With pedigree charts and with letters which said. . "Too bad about the data for which you wrote Sank in a storm on an ill fated boat." Stacks of copies of old wills and the such Were proof that my work had become much too much. Our children were nestled all snug in their beds, While visions of sugarplums danced in their heads. And I at my table was ready to drop >From work on my album with photos to crop. Christmas was here and of such was my lot That presents and goodies and toys I forgot. Had I not been so busy with grandparent's wills, I'd not have forgotten to shop for such thrills. While others had bought gifts that would bring Christmas cheer I'd spent time researching those birth dates and years. While I was thus musing about my sad plight, A strange noise on the lawn gave me such a great fright. Away to the window I flew in a flash, Tore open the drapes and I yanked up the sash. When what to my wondering eyes should appear? But an overstuffed sleigh and eight small reindeer. Up to the housetop the reindeer then flew, With a sleigh full of toys, and old Santa Claus too. And then in a twinkle, I heard on the roof The prancing and pawing of thirty-two hoofs. The TV antenna was no match for their horns, And look at our roof with hoof-prints adorned. As I drew in my head, and bumped it on the sash, Down the cold chimney fell Santa - KER-RASH! "Dear" Santa had come from the roof in a wreck, And tracked soot on the carpet, (I could wring his short neck!) Spotting my face good old Santa could see I had no Christmas spirit, you'd have to agree. He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work And filled all the stockings, (I felt like a jerk). Here was Santa, who'd brought us gladness and joy When I'd been too busy for even one toy. He spied my research on the table all spread "A genealogist!" he cried (My face was all red!). "Tonight I've met many like you", Santa grinned. As he pulled from his sack a large book he had penned. I gazed with amazement - the cover it read "Genealogy Lines for Which You Have Pled." "I know what it's like as a genealogy bug," He said as he gave me a great Santa Hug. "While the elves make the sleighful of toys I now carry, I do some research in the North Pole Library! A rare special treat I am thus able to bring, To genealogy folks who can't find a thing. Now off you must go to your bed for a rest, I'll clean up the house from this genealogy mess." As I climbed up the stairs full of gl! adness and glee, I looked back at Santa who'd brought much to me. While settling in bed, I heard Santa's clear whistle, To his team which then rose like the down of a thistle. And I heard him exclaim as he flew out of sight, "Family History is Fun! Merry Christmas! Goodnight!" A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Family Find in the New Year to everyone

What kind of help do you need? I will donate some of my time. I am from Savannah living in Alabama. Thanks Jo ----- Original Message ----- From: "Tim Stowell" <tstowell@chattanooga.net> To: <GACHATHA-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Wednesday, December 25, 2002 7:51 PM Subject: [GACHATHAM] Christmas packages > Many years ago I learned the principle that 'it is more blessed to give > than to receive'. Volunteering my time and service to this Project has > come to be the way in which I can fulfill this in my life. > > In reviewing your requests I've decided to put up a section called 'wish > list' as a future projects feature with the provision that if the material > is transcribed and donated to the website, I'll add it there. > > In thinking further, of what to put online for the coming year, I've tried > to find and focus in on items that will provide the most information for > the largest audience. While some names will be more prevalent than others, > it is hoped that by presenting this selection of material that a wide > variety of names and some depth will be provided. To that end I am > currently reviewing 2 or 3 history of Savannah texts, to be added to the > website. These are all from over 100 years ago and thus I suppose the > history in these texts may be fresher than texts of today as they were > written closer to the time of the actual events and probably offer more depth. > > Now in thinking of what further material would have the best impact for the > most folk it would in my opinion be census records. To that end, my first > focus and effort will be to continue the 1850 census and procure and add > the 1860 census for Chatham county. > > Of course other records will be added as they become available but working > alone - these 'gifts' I've placed before you, could not be delivered within > the year 2003. It will require the help of many others. If you would > volunteer to assist, please contact me to do so, for in doing so it bears > out the principle that 'many hands make light work'. > > Happy Holidays everyone. > > Tim Stowell > > > ============================== > 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 > > >