PO Box 43 Livingston, IL 62058 January 8, 2000 Dear Gloria, Thank you so much for your generosity to us after the fire and for notifying my friends on the Internet. The response of donations and words of encouragement was tremendous. I had no idea how supportive the Macoupin List and Macoupin site readers could be. They were all wonderful. We are slowling getting back into the normal routine of living. We are renting a home in Williamson which is a small town (about 250 people) between Livingston and Staunton. It's an older home, but clean and warm. I'm not sure if it is wired strong enough for a computer so don't know when I'll get back to the "Net". I really miss my computer. The insurance company is going to rebuild our home on the same site, which we wanted. They say now it should take about 6 months. We're still going out to the old house whenever we can to search for family momentos. We're still looking for my wedding rings and a few other heirlooms. It's depressing but I really want to find them. Everything from the bedrooms has collapsed into the basement so its hard. I did, however, get a few of my genealogy binders out that were in a bookcase in the living room. They were wet and smokey and the binders themselves were partially melted, but I think some of it can be saved. We put them in storage until I can look over whats there. We had spent the first two and a half weeks in a hotel room so there was no place to dry it and then we moved to this house and it took awhile getting settled. Now things are better, so maybe I can get to my "Stuff". The towns people of Livingston, Staunton, Williamson and New Douglas have donated us just about all the furniture we can use and also things like towels, dishes, clothes, bed clothes and groceries. Everyone is so supportive. Guess I better go for now but I will be back. Thanks again for all your help. I wish I could really into words how much your help has meant. You are a great friend. Love, Mary & Sam Tasha, Stacy & Sam Jr. For new subscribers: Mary McKenzie of the Macoupin County Genealogical Society, is a MCGS board member, organizes the MCGS quarterly, The Searcher, and helps with the MCGS page on the Macoupin site.