Dear Listers, I don't normally forward anything that doesn't relate specifically to genealogy, but this is a hoot. Got this from the Scott County List thought you might relate to it. Please forgive and allow this indulgence. Hope you enjoy it. Regards, Joyce Friday Night Genealogy [modified] Dear Cousin, In response to your letter, I am sorry to inform you that Grandpa Fred died some time back and the stuff you asked about is not available. The personal property the family did not want was sold at an estate sale. All those boxes of junk did not interest a single buyer. We were able to salvage several binders for the kids homework after we sent all the paper to the incinerator. The kids really complained about having to lug all that paper and those pictures of those ugly old folks to the dumpster. An old family Bible from the 1840's did bring $ 5.00. The one from the 1870's did not sell, so we donated it somewhere, I think. There were a bunch of floppy disks that we reformated to download some games for the kids to play on their new playstation. At least SOMEBODY got some good from the three generations work. The two aunts you asked about, Grandpa's sisters, are also dead. They could talk all day long about the things Grandpa had written about. I remember them saying something about some records that were copied from two courthouses that later burned. Neither ever wrote down a single thing. All of that generation are now gone. The letter you referred to was one Grandpa typed up and sent to lots of folks who wrote him. He talked about them never getting any of his work or as his father's and grandfather's who was in the Civil War . He guarded all the family information closely to the bitter end. I wish I could remember some of the things to help you, but I was bored to tears listening to them talk about family members going back to before the Civil War. Grandpa said he was so proud to have some silly old papers. I vaguely remember they had beeswax seals and had something to do with the land grants that were destroyed in the courthouse fires. I wish I could remember the story about his grandfather's evening with Jefferson Davis. After Grandpa got sick, some fellow called him and Grandpa agreed to let him come and copy all his material. Grandpa said he would call him back when he felt better. He mentioned to me something about letting the society the man was from have all his work since nobody in the family cared anything about a bunch of people who had been dead for 200 years. However, he never did get to feeling better and died the next week. I am just sorry Grandpa and his previous two generations wasted so much of their life on such a worthless hobby and hope your family will follow something more interesting. We enjoy Bingo and bowling very much here in Pleasantville. I enjoyed hearing from you, my long lost cousin, and would like to hear back if you find anything important. I should close now. The kids need the computer for their games and I need to watch the "Millionaire" show. Thank you, Cuz, Tammy Jean ==== CRF Mailing List ==== *PLEASE! Do NOT forward things to the list without trimming off ALL old headers and trailers!! Tidy up your forwards before sending!! *When replying - CHANGE subject lines to fit your message! Thanks!