This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: Eanes/Keatts/Barrow/Moorefield/Brumfield/Coble Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/3AC.2ACE/1385.6.1 Message Board Post: Noell, Wow, all this is great to see. I have been so blessed to have found so many connections and researchers in my lines. Especially since I have limited contact in the area right now and no opportunity to travel yet. I am so glad that someone else out there cares to keep all the family history for us. It has been uplifting to come from a memory of an old picture and my grandfather's strokes and his broken speech trying to tell me his grandparents info. I had such a hard time trying to get the real names and dates. I would never have found out so much with out all the help I have gotten from other distant connections and researchers. Growing up as a military child I don't remember much of the family history being shared with me, I don't know if my family ever really felt it was very important for us youngsters to know. They knew as much as they did and I think that they must have felt that was enough. Then again they all grew up in that area and lived with the older generations, unlike me. I always felt it was so sad that I didn't even know the names of my great-great grandparents. I think that might have been one of the reasons I started searching, I may have felt a little left out as I was growing up. This info fills that little personal void for me. In this history is where I belong and where I fit in. It feels good to see these names and dates even if I never saw these people. I missed most of the last 5 years or so of my grandfather's life because I was so busy with mine and sadly he died the night before my sister and I were making a much needed trip down to visit with him. He tried as much as he could in his invalid years to share his family history with me because I think he cared about my interest but it was so late in his decline that due to his physical condition he wasn't able to share with me what he wanted to. Having others sharing with me is like a little gift that I never expected. These message boards have given me an opportunity to enlarge my family and my life. Some times it can be a little overwhelming to put the family puzzle pieces in place but it is a joy to know that I can. Do you know of any family traditions or anything else to go along with names and dates that might add to the family picture? Are you aware of any cultural, ethnical or religious association these families might have had? I know there have been family tragedies, are you aware of any other touching stories or family miracles or family love stories that I might pass on to my lines? Any heros or quiet heros? Any rascals or black sheep? Any particular pieces of family pride? Any special possessions passed down or information on old family homeplaces? Are there any special family stories on unusual names passed down? I would love to see or obtain any copies of old family photos that might be left out there. I would love to decorate my home with those types of pictures. I collect old & antique photos of complete strangers, I would love to have some of my ancestors too. I would love to gather copies of any old papers related to our family and their lives. I hope Uncle Thurman is doing well, I haven't seen him since Grandpa passed on. I do need to catch up with him sooner rather than later while I still can. Thank you again for all your help.