Byron Sistler, a genealogist who published more than 50 publications on census records and genealogy in Tennessee, died Friday at Belcourt Terrace Nursing Home. He was 83. Mr. Sistler was a founder of the Middle Tennessee Genealogical Society and was a past president of the group. ''Thousands of people use his work every day across the country, especially here at the state library,'' said Mr. Sistler's son, Sam Sistler, 33, who co-authored a number of books on genealogy with his father. ''The impetus was, in 1968 he was working on his own family history, and discovered how hard it was to look up his own records, so he started indexing'' state census records. Those who worked closely with Mr. Sistler described his dry wit and unselfish nature. ''He was a character,'' said Gale Bamman of Cross Plains. ''He came across rather blunt at first . but once you stopped and thought about what (he was saying), it was funny.'' Bamman, who met Mr. Sistler through her interest in genealogy, said she had known him for more than 40 years. ''There is nobody to compare him with, really - he was a leader in his field,'' Bamman said. ''When he began indexing census records, there were very few state census records that had been archived. ''He helped people working with Tennessee records tremendously, not just people in Tennessee, but anyone that has had Tennessee ancestors.'' Mr. Sistler transcribed and published Tennessee census records spanning from 1830 to 1880 and published six volumes of early Tennessee marriage records. He also wrote and published his own family genealogy, titled Grandfather was Always a Very Old Man. ''It brings history down to a personal level,'' Bamman said of Mr. Sistler's work. ''You have to know your past or there is no way you know where you have been.'' Mr. Sistler's wife, Barbara, assisted him in running his genealogical publishing business, Byron Sistler and Associates, before passing the business on to his son. ''He was loved by a lot of people and well-respected,'' Sam Sistler said. '' He was very forgiving and known for his patience and excellent work ethic.'' Mr. Sistler had been suffering from Alzheimer's disease for the past four years. He died peacefully in his sleep, Sam Sistler said. Along with Sam and Barbara Sistler, survivors include sons Tom and Nicholas Sistler of Chicago, a daughter, Anne Sistler of Boston, and four stepchildren. Funeral arrangements were incomplete yesterday, but a public memorial service is being planned at the Tennessee State Library in the near future, Sam Sistler said. [Nashville - Tennessean] Milly WARD Piros My mind is lightning one brilliant flash and pooooffffffffffffffffffffff it's gone. Rootsweb Administrator for Anderson, Campbell and Fentress Tennessee Counties