Preacher, I would suggest that you buy a CD writer and put all your info on a CD Rom disc. When I bought mine, I paid $229.00 with a $30.00 rebate. That has been almost a year ago and they should have come down some by now. Phil Phil: I have a CD writer and it is great to record family history, pictures and all genealogy data on. It works perfect and will last for ??????? who knows how long. My question still is, In a hundred years or so, will there be any CD readers around to read them?? We all hope so.....but look at the past. How many computers now have 5 1/4" disk drives??? I have dozens...no HUNDREDS of them with no way to read them.......45 RPM records????? Same way, and they are not that old. Computers are changing so rapidly that I am not sure if we can state a "safe" way to store our data. I am not speaking of what we use now, but as the original question was posed, To save the family history for future generations....Our kids and their kids...... As previously stated, I am putting mine in many different formats, in many different places in hopes that some will survive. I believe there is a GOOD chance it will. If any one is really serious about it, you may want to consider putting it in book form and donating a copy to the Library of Congress. I have no idea of the cost, but the Govt. keeps "EVERYTHING". Thanks for the ideas, "Preacher"

I received this message on another of the lists that I am on. I thought everyone would be interested in this bit of news..... Jane > http://www.usnewswire.com/topnews/Current_Releases/0301-131.html > > National Archives Statement on Records Center Fire > U.S. Newswire > 1 Mar 15:39 > > National Archives and Records Administration Statement on Records > Center Fire > To: National Desk > Contact: National Archives Public Affairs, 301-713-6000 > > WASHINGTON, March 1, /U.S. Newswire/ -- The following is a > statement from John W. Carlin, archivist of the United States, > on the Feb. 29 Records Center Fire: > > Yesterday (Tuesday, Feb. 29), the National Archives and Records > Administration (NARA) reported a fire in its Washington National > Records Center in Suitland, Md. The fire was contained by the > Center's fire-safety system and extinguished with no reports of > harm to staff or visitors, but some records were damaged. The > following is an update on that from Archivist of the United States > John Carlin. > > Although much work will be needed before we can be certain, we > believe that of the total of more than 3.7 million cubic feet of > records at Suitland, approximately 3,000 cubic feet were in the > immediate area. Of those, fewer than 300 cubic feet may have been > destroyed. Most of the affected records were wet or damp from > sprinkler water or in singed boxes. Our staff at Suitland stayed > up through last night making valiant efforts to protect records > from water damage and otherwise dealing with the fire's effects, > working with personnel from the General Services Administration, > from which we lease the facility. > > The cause of the fire is as yet undetermined. Because the > property is Federal, the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, > and Firearms as well as GSA fire investigators were notified. As > the investigation continues, the following is what we know about > the fire so far. > > The sprinkler alarms were activated at 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, and > alerted the GSA Control Center that there was a problem. The first > fire company arrived sometime between 2:45 and 2:50. A fireman on > the scene was overcome with smoke at which point firemen abandoned > Stack 15 to open the roof hatches to vent the smoke. This process > apparently took approximately one hour to accomplish before the > firemen returned to Stack 15 to begin to extinguish the fire. The > sprinkler system contained the fire during the period between > 2:30 and 3:50 at which point the firemen were able to enter the > stack. At 8:13 p.m. the firemen on the scene felt that the fire was > sufficiently extinguished to allow the investigation to begin in > the stack. > > Our tracking system enabled us to identify the records on the > shelves affected by the fire, and agencies whose records may have > been affected have been notified. But we won't be able to identify > exactly which records have been affected and how seriously until > the investigation of the area is completed and we can examine the > materials more closely. > > I will provide further information as it becomes available. > > ------ > For further information, contact the National Archives public > affairs staff at 301-713-6000. > > -0- > /U.S. Newswire 202-347-2770/ > 03/01 15:39 > > Copyright 2000, U.S. Newswire

Preacher, I would suggest that you buy a CD writer and put all your info on a CD Rom disc. When I bought mine, I paid $229.00 with a $30.00 rebate. That has been almost a year ago and they should have come down some by now. Phil -----Original Message----- From: jarice36 [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Thursday, March 02, 2000 1:21 PM To: [email protected] Subject: [WVMINGO] History I want to question using a 3 1/2" floppy to put your family history on to save it for future generations. How long do you think it will be before the 3 1/2" floppy goes the way of the 5 1/4" floppy. You can't hardly find a computer now with one in it. Before that time I had a Texas Instrument 99-4-A computer that used audio tapes for storage. Now they are gone. before long, the CDs will be in the trash and we will have something new in their place...... So where do we go???? Well the printed Book has held up pretty well over the years. Hundreds in fact. I think they may have a better chance of surviving. Maybe not, but we live in a changing world. It surely is a puzzle of how to preserve it for future generations. I am trying to get mine in every format I can.....Maybe one will survive........I hope so..... "Preacher"

I want to question using a 3 1/2" floppy to put your family history on to save it for future generations. How long do you think it will be before the 3 1/2" floppy goes the way of the 5 1/4" floppy. You can't hardly find a computer now with one in it. Before that time I had a Texas Instrument 99-4-A computer that used audio tapes for storage. Now they are gone. before long, the CDs will be in the trash and we will have something new in their place...... So where do we go???? Well the printed Book has held up pretty well over the years. Hundreds in fact. I think they may have a better chance of surviving. Maybe not, but we live in a changing world. It surely is a puzzle of how to preserve it for future generations. I am trying to get mine in every format I can.....Maybe one will survive........I hope so..... "Preacher"

Hi Sherry: I have been in this Genealogy thing for almost 35 years now. I have amassed numerous pictures, genealogy data, birth certs. wills, family stories and such. I came to the point as you did that I did not and would not spend all this time and effort and then have it thrown to the wind. Here is what I come up with. I tried about every genealogy program ever made and finally narrowed it down to just two. Family Tree Maker, because of all the research material they have, (I have about 50 of their CDs), and Family Origins by Parsons Technology. This is the one I use to preserve everything. I can put in it not only all my data but also put in pictures, stories, sources where I found all this stuff, medical records and such. Then with a click of the button, print it out in an 8 1/2 X 11 book, which I have a spiral book binder that I use on the Books. I make one for each main family name. I sell these at all the family reunions each year and people call and write long after ordering these. That way they are all over the country. Then I make 2 gedcom files. One I keep and one goes to my uncle's house at Indian Lake, Ohio. That way, If I have a crash (and I've had my share) I am covered. If my house burns down, I've got it covered. The copy at Indian Lake is OK. I too want to be remembered 100-200-300 years down the road. Hope this helps, Good luck on your search, "Preacher" Jack A. Rice (formerly lived at Naugatuck WV.)

In a message dated 3/1/00 8:55:51 AM Eastern Standard Time, [email protected] writes: << I've often wondered if I was doing this for nothing, too. >> Hi list!!! I haven't been reading all the "preserving our family history" emails, but my thought is, pass your info on to your local genealogy library. Your research is never wasted time. Someone will definatly be able to use something from your work. My kids could care less about my work & I've decided to make 3 copies of my research for the day when I'm no longer here. One goes to my sister, if she wants it, & the others will go to local genealogy libraries. I work at Hackers Creek Pioneer Descendants library in Lewis Co., & we have lots of files people have donated. They're on floppy disk, & when a researcher comes in looking for anything on a surname, we can point them to books plus the disks. We have several different programs, Family Tree Maker, Brothers Keeper, etc, & the disks are well used!!!! Just a thought. Ruth Bush Highland, Harrison Co., WV

Sherry, I've often wondered if I was doing this for nothing, too. My 2 grown sons don't seem to be the least interested in carrying on my work. I have a hard time getting info out of my present day relatives, so I'm not sure any of them would want it either. I'd like to hear what the majority of the answers you receive think. In the meantime, use that CD burner to back up your work at least weekly so you don't lose info. I use a SparQ zip drive(which went out of business leaving me with only 3 cartridges) to copy my work. I would be devastated to have a crash and lose those countless hours of work.------Sherry Crawford -----Original Message----- From: Sherry Bell <[email protected]> To: [email protected] <[email protected]> Date: Wednesday, March 01, 2000 1:55 AM Subject: [WVMINGO] Preserving our Family History >Hi all, > >I need a bumper sticker that says, "I survived a computer crash!". Actually I didnt survive it too much at all, a lot was lost that I will have to work at putting together again. >I started my genealogy research just a little over a year ago, and in that time have aquired quite a bit of information on my ancestors. I have often wondered what other people do to preserve the information that they get. Because of my computer crashing this week it has this question at the top of my priorities. So I am writing to all of the lists that I am a part of to get as many of your opinions as possible. My ultimate goal is to take all the long hours of work that I do in this and preserve it so that my children, grandchildren, greatgrandchildren...bottom line is: I want someone to know who I am 100, 200 years from now when I am long gone!

HI Sherry, I read your letter and remembered my own delima. My father left me little note books of information he had gathered. I did not get interested in genealogy until long after he had gone. I started using a typewriter, advanced to a computer a few years ago, started doing research on the internet, met a lot of wonderful 'cousins'. I got the Family Tree Maker which helped me keep members straight. I used the little 3 1/2 floppy to make sure I didnt loose what I had. Then one day I decided I wanted to share my findings with my growing family I had met from shore to shinning shore. I checked with the printing co and learned I could make a book , about 385 pages for $34.00 , hard cover and all. I just got them last week and have sold all but one of what I had made. I charged everyone $34.00 as I didnt want to make a profit off my family. Now, there are 105 books out there and surely most of them will survive through the years. I took orders before I decided the number of books to print, thus...I am not in debt! I am very happy about my decision. Joyce DeJarnett Truitt in INdiana.

Hi all, I need a bumper sticker that says, "I survived a computer crash!". Actually I didnt survive it too much at all, a lot was lost that I will have to work at putting together again. I started my genealogy research just a little over a year ago, and in that time have aquired quite a bit of information on my ancestors. I have often wondered what other people do to preserve the information that they get. Because of my computer crashing this week it has this question at the top of my priorities. So I am writing to all of the lists that I am a part of to get as many of your opinions as possible. My ultimate goal is to take all the long hours of work that I do in this and preserve it so that my children, grandchildren, greatgrandchildren...bottom line is: I want someone to know who I am 100, 200 years from now when I am long gone! As far as I know there has been no one in my past family who has been interested in genealogy. Therefore you always have to look at the possiblility that you cant rely on your children to carry on where you left off, it just might not ever be somthing that they find an intrest in, even when they are older. So maybe it wont be for several generations until someone "really" would value all the work I am doing. How can I preserve all of this work? If I put it in a box it would be a BIG box and therefore a nusance to those who have no intrest. If I write a book would it cost too much to print it? Would it be possible to self print a book that would last? I could make a "CD" but no one will probally even know what that is in a few generations. Do you see my delima? I have so many things like: Census information, deeds,wills,marriage certificates,death certificates, birth certificates, I even have many many photos some of them date back to the 1800's of my family. I am only wanting to do this for my descendants. I have no intrest in making any money from this. And it is VERY important to me that I dont just say whom was related to whom, but instead I want to be able to show them with my documentation. I have a scanner, a CD burner, a printer. There has got to be a way of not just telling the story but to "show" the story. And then putting it all in some fashion that will last. Does that make sense? I guess Im leaning more toward the book idea because when we go into our local library we see so many old books that are older than we are. Its just so darned expensive to pay someone else to do it for me. If I make my own pages from my printer, will those pages last or is the ink we use or paper we use short lived? How on earth can a person bind thier own books? I look forward to hearing from you all on what you are doing to preserve yours. Sherry

Many times we find that a veteran is buried and his grave is not properly marked or perhaps the stone has deteriorated. The Veterans Administration does have a web site that you can check out everything you want to know about these and other veteran benefits. This does include getting records of a veteran. The link is http://www.cem.va.gov/hm.htm You can find a wealth of info here! Semper Fi. Mary in Mich Researching surnames: Hajduk, Welch, Litton, Collins, Merritts, Meier, Staples and Szela Proud member of [email protected] Proud member of the WOMEN MARINES ASSOCIATION, MOTOR CITY CHAPTER

Sherry; I have a friend, Doris KIRK Simpkins b ca 1912, a native of Mingo Co WV. She is living in Bradenton FL. Her sons name is Fred Simpkins I believe his father was Bill. Hopefully Cindy will pickup this message. Dallas JOHNSON [email protected] ----- Original Message ----- From: Sherry Bell <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Tuesday, February 29, 2000 12:49 AM Subject: Re: [WVMINGO] Elizabeth Hatfield Sipple Simpkins > Denise, > I can not help you with your pictures, however I wanted to write to you and > ask you if you had much on these two familys. The Hatfields and the > Simpkins. I have a Mary Hatfield that I was told descended from Ephraim > Hatfield. I was wondering if your Elizabeth had a sister named Mary. She > married a Cornett, (different spellings would include, Cornutt, Cornat, > ect.) > I have a Simpkins that I have been trying to locate also from Mingo or Logan > Co. Her name was Nancy Jane Simpkins, she had married Samuel Davis. Does > that name ring any bells? > > Sherry > > > -----Original Message----- > From: [email protected] <[email protected]> > To: [email protected] <[email protected]> > Date: Monday, February 28, 2000 11:54 PM > Subject: Re: [WVMINGO] Elizabeth Hatfield Sipple Simpkins > > > >Mentioning pictures -- for several years I have trying to find a picture of > >my gggrandmother, Elizabeth Hatfield Sipple. She was the daughter of > Ephraim > >and Nancy (Vance) Hatfield. She married L. "Joseph" Sipple in Logan Co. > (now > >Mingo) on 4/21/1859 -- and had two sons. She was a sister of Devil Anse > (and > >since there are several pictures of him) -- I am assuming there would also > be > >pictures of her -- I just do not know who to ask or where to find them. > > After her first husband's death, she married Joseph Simpkins and had 6 > >additional children. She is in the 1920 census and was 84 years old at > that > >time. > >Any assistance with finding a picture of her or any information r/t her > date > >of death or the Sipple family -- would be greatly appreciated. > > > >Denise Sneed > >[email protected] > > > > > > >

Denise, I can not help you with your pictures, however I wanted to write to you and ask you if you had much on these two familys. The Hatfields and the Simpkins. I have a Mary Hatfield that I was told descended from Ephraim Hatfield. I was wondering if your Elizabeth had a sister named Mary. She married a Cornett, (different spellings would include, Cornutt, Cornat, ect.) I have a Simpkins that I have been trying to locate also from Mingo or Logan Co. Her name was Nancy Jane Simpkins, she had married Samuel Davis. Does that name ring any bells? Sherry -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] <[email protected]> To: [email protected] <[email protected]> Date: Monday, February 28, 2000 11:54 PM Subject: Re: [WVMINGO] Elizabeth Hatfield Sipple Simpkins >Mentioning pictures -- for several years I have trying to find a picture of >my gggrandmother, Elizabeth Hatfield Sipple. She was the daughter of Ephraim >and Nancy (Vance) Hatfield. She married L. "Joseph" Sipple in Logan Co. (now >Mingo) on 4/21/1859 -- and had two sons. She was a sister of Devil Anse (and >since there are several pictures of him) -- I am assuming there would also be >pictures of her -- I just do not know who to ask or where to find them. > After her first husband's death, she married Joseph Simpkins and had 6 >additional children. She is in the 1920 census and was 84 years old at that >time. >Any assistance with finding a picture of her or any information r/t her date >of death or the Sipple family -- would be greatly appreciated. > >Denise Sneed >[email protected] > > >

That would be great Phyllis. Man you just don't know how long I have tried to find pictures. I owe you big time. Phil -----Original Message----- From: Phyllis Kirk [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Monday, February 28, 2000 11:44 AM To: [email protected] Subject: RE: [WVMINGO] Louis McCloud I'll scan them over tomorrow or tonight ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com

Mentioning pictures -- for several years I have trying to find a picture of my gggrandmother, Elizabeth Hatfield Sipple. She was the daughter of Ephraim and Nancy (Vance) Hatfield. She married L. "Joseph" Sipple in Logan Co. (now Mingo) on 4/21/1859 -- and had two sons. She was a sister of Devil Anse (and since there are several pictures of him) -- I am assuming there would also be pictures of her -- I just do not know who to ask or where to find them. After her first husband's death, she married Joseph Simpkins and had 6 additional children. She is in the 1920 census and was 84 years old at that time. Any assistance with finding a picture of her or any information r/t her date of death or the Sipple family -- would be greatly appreciated. Denise Sneed [email protected]

Hey, I did find a McCloud in my clutter(couldn't resist that rhyme). Jeremiah Sias b. 11/25/1868 s/o A.L. and Martha "Ellen" (Lambert) Sias married a Margie(probably Margaret) McCloud.Phyl ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com

I am sorry but I do not know this person. As far as I know there is no Smith's in my bloodline. ----- Original Message ----- From: <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Tuesday, February 22, 2000 5:15 PM Subject: Re: [WVMINGO] surnames > Mary, I am looking for the parents of Mary Jane Smith she was born in 1861 > and married to J.T. Beal Nov. 1884. > Jim >

I'll scan them over tomorrow or tonight ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com

Phil, I may have asked you this before but do you or any of the other McCloud researchers have any information about the Wheelers being connected to the McCloud's in any way? In my grandfathers records he notes that his mothers (Minerva McCloud Adams) father's name was Jackson "Wheeler" McCloud and that his father was John "Wheeler" McCloud. I have also talked with some other cousins who say that the Wheelers and McClouds were connected in some way, and that they came from Wheelersburg Ohio. Any clues? Kim Tuchek [email protected]

Thanks Phyllis, this is exciting. I haven't got hardly any pictures on my McCloud. So it would be great to see them. Phil -----Original Message----- From: Phyllis Kirk [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Sunday, February 27, 2000 12:53 PM To: [email protected] Subject: Re: [WVMINGO] Louis McCloud Phil, i've got some old McCloud pics.I'll have to check with my son,though, to see who these McClouds are. he refuses to write on the backs of his pics. ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com