Hi, Just like Jim I was wondering where everyone has been ? I thought that I made everyone mad again, but since no one unsubscribed, I presume the gang is all still here........... I am sorry if I offended anyone. I think I'm manic as I say and do things, then wonder why in the world did I do or say that ? It's just me, can't change, too old. I too wish that everything I write could be documented down to the last jot. However that isn't the case. If documentation existed for all our ancestors, there would be no need for us to have a discussion group as we wouldn't have brick walls to find a way over. I am never satisfied at a brick wall, and where you can get around it, I try. Some genealogists think it futile to look at parallel lines, but in my 20 years of playing this game, I have found more by asking the other involved families for help. Most of the time, an indirect cousin will tell you everything you needed to know. From my experience when secrets were kept and " never talked about " within your own family, just ask a neighbors descendants or the cousins descendants, and they will tell you all about those "secrets". After all, it was probably your family secrets that the neighbors gossiped about. Think about that. Isn't that a true statement ? <grin> I will find a way around or over any brick wall. Else I wouldn't play this game if there isn't any satisfaction to be derived. I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving and the Christmas season will be blessed. We may have to slow down our discussions due to the Holidays and I have been asked to teach again this winter. I haven't decided on that yet. I may teach, I may not. My local CC Randolph Tech was recently negatively portrayed in the media over a class that the Sons of Confederate Veterans taught on the Civil War in NC. We are all disgusted over the turn of events. What was alledged, never happened, to my knowledge. I for one am proud of my grandfathers who fought and died in the War that they didn't condone. Very few ever owned slaves and thought slavery wrong to begin with. They only wanted to be farmers and provide for their families. But to protect the only way of life they knew, being noble men, they left their wives and children alone to fight for their country. Some never came back, and we still live with their loss. Enough said. I'll leave that subject alone else I make someone mad. I am on the Board of Trinity Historical Society and we are undertaking the preservation of a family cemetery here in Randolph Co. that contains the remains of Gov. John Morehead's wife's parents and grandparents. Can you believe that hoodlums and vandals keep digging into the grave of a Rev. Patriot because they think he was buried with his sword ??? Disgusting ! Now, again we have to fill the graves and get it designated a Historical Landmark for protection. These people aren't my family but I feel strongly that I have the civic responsibility to help see their graves maintained, and secretly hope, that somewhere, someone would do the same for my ancestors graves that I can't tend. Since Thanksgiving, i've made some major breakthroughs on one of my other family lines, so I had to follow those leads. the Spence families are never far from my mind though. Tazewell Co. VA informed me that their Historical Society is in the process of putting together a settlers map. HOORAY.... We need that. I've ordered Franklin Co. VA and Pittsylvania and Montgomery's also. We need some books and maps on Floyd Co. VA also, and if anyone has these items will you volunteer to look up for our group please ???? Pretty please ? I got the book " David and Mary (McElyea) Spence, Their Ancestors and Descendants" by Louise B. Fowler and have read it. I didn't find anything to help anyone in our group in this book, but gleaned a couple of interesting things. Will continue in next posting, Carolyn