I know that there are many of you on the lists who have never even seen the beautiful area that makes up the western corner of SC, but I wanted to make as many of you aware of the following book as possible. Many of you write looking for folks who once lived in the old Jocassee Valley, and I know that others try to help you, but sometimes graves, etc. are impossible to find bec. of the lakes that were built: Hartwell, Keowee, Jocassee. I only learned in recent years that I had lost family that way without knowing it. When I was younger, I was fortunate enough to be able to spend a lot of magical time in Jocassee Valley. You cannot imagine the beauty; the greens can never be matched; the hardwoods created a blanket of green; the hills roll like the waves on a still ocean; and the water of the river was pristine, unspoiled by mankind. Once this beautiful land was gone, it was a forever thing except for the work of Claudia WHITMIRE HEMBREE, a native of Jocassee. I don't know Mrs. HEMBREE but she has written a wonderful book, called "Jocassee Valley." It's not abt the "new" Jocassee; it's abt the Jocassee Valley that lies beneath those waters that make up the lakes - about the memories and the history that will forever lie there. I highly recommend the book to those who love the area, and to those who want to "see" and imagine the area where their ancestors lived. I believe it can be purchased fr. Hiott Printers in Pickens, SC, or from the author (I am sorry I don't know how to contact her). I hope this will help some of you have a chance to see our beautiful home in the special western corner of South Carolina! God bless, Dolores Miller Pringle - a desc of the MILLERS, ALEXANDERS, GROGANS, WATSONS, ALLGOODS, SMITHS, PORTERS, ROPERS, COOPERS, and others who lived in the area.