During my childhood I spent a lot of time with my grandparents and other relatives of their generation. I cut my teeth on stories of the good old days. When my maternal grandparents took me visiting or had company in their home they would make a "tent" for me by covering a table with sheets. They would put a blanket or two and a pillow under the covered table. That is where I was encouraged to take naps or play quietly in my special hiding place while the adults visited for hours. Instead of sleeping I tried to stay awake to hear the conversations. I learned much about my grandparents' childhoods, courtship, adventures, trails, tribulations, and triumphs. As I became a little older I began asking questions. Both of my mother's parents had been school teachers so they reveled in relating the stories of their lives to my eager ears. (My grandmother especially liked to attach morals to each story.) When my grandfather died he left a small bundle of letters from a distant cousin in Texas. The cousin had been asking him about his family and telling about hers. They had descended from the same great-grandfather although they had never met. My mother dabbled in the buying, refurbishing and reselling of antiques from our home. As early as I can remember I would go with her to antique shows and stores with my hands clasped behind my back as taught. ("see but no touch".) I asked and was told the stories behind various antiques on these trips. I developed a great appreciation of old objects as well as people. My interest extended to visiting old homes on tours and reading historical novels while still in grammar school. I still enjoy all these things. When my daughter was about 16 years old she began to ask me questions about our ancestors I could not answer without some letter writing. My search really intensified, however, a few years later when my daughter gave me a five generation Pennsylvania Dutch style wall chart for Christmas. It was the kind that has spaces for names and dates and is suitable for framing. I realized I would have to do more research to complete it. That was about 25 years ago and I'm still actively researching as much as time permits. I have my daughter to thank for her nudging me into an avocation that has brought me much pleasure, many friends, and more information than I would have ever dreamed possible when I would finally nod off in my little "tent" listening to my grandparents talk. Anna Bertram http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=mr&GRid=55769990&MRid=47006901&I hear ethereal whispers, persuasive, soft and still,"Daughter, if you don't remember us, who will?" -Unknown