This is a multi-part message in MIME format. --------------132C3FD95CB78645AC9922AA Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit --------------132C3FD95CB78645AC9922AA Content-Type: message/rfc822 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Content-Disposition: inline Return-Path: <djd@oz.net> Received: from vodka.micron.net ([198.60.253.180]) by mismail.micron.net (Netscape Messaging Server 4.1) with ESMTP id FWPWYD00.F8N for <wschwart@micron.net>; Sun, 25 Jun 2000 10:11:01 -0600 Received: from 10.224.0.202 ([10.224.0.202]) by vodka.micron.net (Netscape Messaging Server 4.1) with SMTP id FWPWYC00.J8K for <wschwart@micron.net>; Sun, 25 Jun 2000 10:11:01 -0600 Return-Path: <djd@oz.net> Received: from emerald.oz.net (emerald2.oz.net [216.39.128.2]) by with SMTP (MailShield v1.5); Sun, 25 Jun 2000 10:10:58 -0600 Received: from douglass (sense-sea-mas-6.oz.net [216.39.130.6]) by emerald.oz.net (8.9.3/8.7.3) with SMTP id JAA03385; Sun, 25 Jun 2000 09:09:25 -0700 (PDT) Message-Id: <3.0.6.32.20000625091219.01c53c00@oz.net> X-Sender: djd@oz.net X-Mailer: QUALCOMM Windows Eudora Light Version 3.0.6 (32) Date: Sun, 25 Jun 2000 09:12:19 -0700 To: dbechard@harbornet.com, jmo2@earthlink.net, hardin@pop.seanet.com, wschwart@micron.net, bubba2@centurytel.net From: "Donna J. Douglass" <djd@oz.net> Subject: Ho Ho Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" X-SMTP-HELO: emerald.oz.net X-SMTP-MAIL-FROM: djd@oz.net X-SMTP-PEER-INFO: emerald2.oz.net [216.39.128.2] X-Mozilla-Status2: 00000000 Dear ________: I am your _________ (insert relationship) and living in the early 21st century (or late 20th, but let's not go into that right now) here in ___________ (insert city/state/country). I am sitting in front of a microfilm projector (I'll explain what that is in a later email) in a special library run by the LDS (nice people, but later on about them, too) trying to decipher the small and shaky handwriting of your parish's minister/vicar/curate (pick one). He must have been either vertically challenged or had palsy - because it's unreadable! At least I think it's your parish and I'm not even sure of the decade! Thanks a lot for leaving such a good paper trail. (Sarcasm intended.) According to family legend, you and your wife/husband (pick one) ___________ (insert name) had _____ children, some of whom lived beyond infancy. Yet not a single one was recorded in the parish records! I can't even find your marriage certificate. You two WERE married, right? Didn't you know that there would be legions of people like me fanatically spending their waking hours and small fortunes looking for any and all traces of your lives? Were you just stubborn, couldn't afford the fees, or not members of the Established Church? You're wondering, "What's all the fuss about, we're dead as doornails?" We're not sure, but I think down here we're infected with the same disease: "Rootsus Obsessionus." Of course, WE are going to leave better records for our descendants! My husband/wife (pick one) doesn't understand this disease and wants to divorce me. I'm OK with that, really. Although I'd lose a spouse, I'd gain another family tree branch! Anyway, I'm glad I was able to vent my frustrations upward. If I couldn't do that, I'd have probably popped the obnoxious researcher next to me who is right now translating an old record in German from the village of Schlippenzefallen - and out loud, for God's sake (oops!). I have an idea.... When I'm "dead-on" (pardon the expression) to finding the correct record, give me some sort of sign. Make the projector bulb flicker twice. Or, if it must be done in the privacy of my home, I have a Labrador Retriever. Talk through her. That will get my attention for sure! Thanks for listening. I'll be much better in the morning..... I'll be back at the library tomorrow night for Round 14, so catch me there. PS: I'm the one with the REALLY bloodshot eyes. Sincerely, _______________ (Your name here) Donna J. Douglass Gig Harbor, WA USA eFax (603) 804-5863 Home Page http://www.oz.net/~ccaine/djd/ --------------132C3FD95CB78645AC9922AA--