Hi All The Eastport Genealogical Workshop and Seminar 2003 is now history, and I've been home since Saturday night, long enough to get my feet back on the ground and my thoughts put in order. The gathering and sharing was a success from my view. We had great presenters and wonderful interactions between the people attending. Many new contacts were made, and I'm sure some different leads were explored. There seemed to be adequate amounts of resource materials on site as some people returned day after day and thanks to Roy's persistence most things got done on time. Approximately 40 people signed the guest book during the week. However, I am sure there were people present who did the sign the book. Monday Roy and I started out quite early and set up the large room at the Eastport Beaches Heritage Site; tables and chairs were put in place, resource books and materials were laid out and my computer system connected and made ready. The printout for the Bonavista Bay data now runs 3000 8 1/2 by 14" pages and is bound in 19 books and contains information on more than 30,000 individuals. There was also a table for published books on Bonavista Bay. Audrey Ford and her husband Bill arrived with her material on the SWEETAPPLES of Goose Berry Islands and the Glovertown area. Not a large number of people showed up but that was ok as it gave us time to complete the set up and pay personal attention to those who did arrive. As it was, some people were there until 10:30 p.m.--we were going to close at 9 p.m. Tuesday Keith Brown arrived and set up a table with his resource materials on the BROWNS of Newfoundland. Keith has been doing a one name study on Browns for more than 15 years and has accumulated a formative amount of material. He told me that his recent word involved searching legal files for data on the Browns. Andrew Brown of Salvage, a long time resident of that community and a great local historian and story teller in his own right, was present and captivated listeners with his knowledge and personal antidotes of many of the old families. Between Keith and Andrew the Brown family was well taken care of Tuesday. Wednesday Shirley Oldford of Burnside arrived at 10 a.m. and set up her display on the OLDFORD family. In the afternoon she gave a wonderful presentation on that family along with some of its history; and with the aid of wall charts, she made it quite interesting for all present. She also explored a puzzling connection between the Burden, Hobbs, Brown, and Samsons families in the Salvage area. Shirley left her display and resource materials on site for the rest of the week for any and all that wanted to take advantage of it. Thursday Grace Hiscock Hollett arrived on Tuesday and stayed with us all week. She gave her presentation twice on Thursday--one in the morning and again in the afternoon for those of us that could not attend the morning session. Her talk covered the Hiscock family of Flat Islands, Bonavista Bay. The thoroughness of her research was evident in the knowledge she displayed on the families. Later in the evening, Roy Babstock, who was present all week, gave a great presentation on the BABSTOCK family, tracing them from their early beginnings in Barrow Harbor down to the Babstocks today. Not to be out done by Shirley and Grace, Roy did up his own chart to help present the early Babstock family. Friday This day turned out to be a research day as both of the Brodericks couldn't make it. Tina had a personal matter that had to be attended to out of the province and her brother Bill ended up with an unexpected work assignment in St. John's. Bill, however, did finished his assignment in time to make it home Friday afternoon and being a committed fellow he said he would make every effort to be with us on Saturday morning. Saturday This day started out as usual at 10 a.m. and Bill Broderick arrived soon after. He gave an hour-long address that started about 11 a.m. Bill gave a good account of how he and his sister Tina went about getting RC material for the St. Brendan's Come Home Year book in 1991. The book was called "From Helvick Head To Hescut Point "The St. Brendan's Irish". Apparently much of the material that was available to them at that time is now closed off to the public. (new RC policy). Bill talked about some of the different families on St. Brendan's--how and when they arrived and their possible roots. He also mentioned the "how and why" Cottle's Island came to be called St. Brendan's. At 2 p.m. Dr. Gordon Hancock, the guest speaker for Saturday and for the closing event of the week, gave a slide show presentation in the Theatre to approximately 40 people. This very entertaining show began with pictures of the Eastport Peninsula with its many bays and coves and some of the old housing of the area. After a short break, Gordon talked about some of his many trips to England and how and where he found the birth places of many of our ancestors. To concluded the week's event, Roy Babstock and I thanked the many people that contributed to or helped out in any way. Presentations were given to Dr. Gordon Hancock, Andrew Brown and me. Our thanks go out to everyone mentioned above and the many others that made this week possible. It is possible that this year's gathering of genealogists may be the first of many more to come at the Eastport Heritage Center. Sincerely Fred Pafford