This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/GBC.2ACE/440.1.1 Message Board Post: Dear Lesley, Thank you for your reply. My name is Jill Conover. I am a professional writer from Maryland currently conducting research on how women of the region were impacted by the Civil War: How the lives of ordinary women were affected (on the homefront) by the conflict and the challenges that they faced during the period. I am interested in primary source material such as diaries or letters written from 1855-1870 by women from: Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, Pennsylvania. During the period, women did become, out of desire and necessity, more independent and took on greater family responsibilities. Your great great grandmother may be a good example (although it certainly sounds like she was a bit ahead of her time). Would you be willing to share the contents (photocopy fine) of the letter and general background about her (e.g. name/birthplace/DOB/DOD/primary location of residence during period)? With thanks, - Jill Conover Note: You may respond directly at jillmike66@msn.com or jmc6@hood.edu