Greetings from Washington state. I too must add my two cents worth to the discussion. I have never lived in Kentucky and have only once been able to visit my ancestral home. I can tell you that I am immensely proud of my heritage and those wonderful people who greeted me so warmly during my visit. My great grandmother married at 16 and was a widow at 30 with 3 children to raise. She made sure that all of her children, including her daughter received college educations and professional careers. My grandmother received a degree in science in 1908 - a time when few women were educated. Instead of viewing Eastern Kentucky as backwards I think them as progressive and am proud to call Kentucky my family home. Charlene Woodring Chehalis, Washington