All members, I want to write a history of SW VA and install it on the WWW so it will be available for all SW_VA-L and Fincastle Forum members present and future. And for those who have special interest in the region for genealogical reasons. I want it to be a PEOPLE'S history. The history of the common people, our ancestors. Not the judge, sheriff, or governor. What was the life of the farmer, his wife & children? And I need YOUR help. I would invited everyone with knowledge of any aspect of the history to contribute. We have discussed much on the List in the past year. The subject area will be primarily west of Wytheville but some material of west of the New River can be included. I know many of you have detailed knowledge of food, clothing, buildings, slavery, ethnic and national origin, coal mining, farming, guns and hunting, the militia, Indians, trails and roads, tobacco, lead mines, gov't, land grants, etc. The list is very, very long. I have written a draft outline. It is installed at: http://www.conknet.com/~ehoward/HsSWVA.htm Take a look. See what you think. Where could you contribute? I would like the work somewhat documented. I'm not thinking of going into great depth but I would like to be a mile wide. I want to cover every subject and event that is of interest today. Murders, hangings, wars, babies being born. I don't want cold data but some statistics would be in order. e.g. average number of slaves owned, percentage of women who died in childbirth, children dying before the age of 6. Common diseases, and the most popular dance. As you can see. The list can go on forever. If it gets too big we will have to find somewhere to put it but for now we just need the pieces and a system to assemble them. Let me hear the interest and suggestions. PLEASE click REPLY and post your ideas to the LIST. -eddie sysop "Toto, I don't think we are in NH any more."