Dear Cousins-
January 1997 - May 1997
January 1997
==Dear Cousins==
I have underway another volume
on the Goyens of Cornwall who emigrated to Australia. It will stem from
Nicholas Goyen, my grandfather's brother who seems to have been born two years
before their parents married. I will keep you posted on its progress and hope
in the new year to have it ready to join its companion on the shelves of the
Foundation Library. Robert J. Goyen, 523 Sutton St, Sebastopol 3356, Victoria,
Australia.
==Dear Cousins==
Greetings from Alaska! I was
truly overwhelmed with joy to receive from the Foundation the large E-mail
packet on my ggf Madry Goins and his ancestors. I had just about given up hope
on ever finding his ancestry, and suddenly you added two more generations to my
family records. My family from Greenville, SC refused to talk about him--and
now I know why--he was a Melungeon! And I don't know what else, but now I have
a place to start to unravel the "rest of the story." I have a great deal of
research to add to the Foundation Manuscript, and I will E-mail it to you
shortly. I would like to hear from some of my new-found cousins who have worked
on my branch of the family so that I may thank them personally for the wonderful
break-through. Jim Eden, 5336 W. 82nd Ave, Anchorage, AK, 99502, ili@alaska.net
==Dear Cousins==
I am seeking the identify of the
father of William Gowen who was born about 1802 in Pittsylvania County, VA.
When William Gowen applied for a marriage license there in 1821 to marry
Susannah Bruce, his mother "Anna Goin" wrote a note to the county clerk giving
her consent. The bride's father, Thomas Bruce, also wrote a note to the clerk
giving his consent, sug-gesting that Susannah was also underage. William Abston
was security for the marriage. William Gowen and Susannah Bruce Gowen were the
parents of William Henry Gowen, my g-gf, born in 1822. I am ready to pay any
research person for his time in working specifically for my benefit. Olen R.
Gowens, Ashby Place, Ladoga, IN, 47954, 317/942-2088.
==Dear Cousins==
I am searching for the parents of
Jesse Robert Goans, born March 3, 1856 [per bible records], 1860 MO census
report; died March 24, 1942, Willow Springs, MO; mc1890 Melissa Jane Arledge
[1865-1941]. Death records did not reveal names of parents. According to 1900
Benton Co, MO census, Jesse's par-ents were born in TN."
Jesse Robert Goans and Melissa
Jane Arledge Goans were the parents of Edna [1892-1895, Fannie [1894-1895],
Toney [1897-1968], Manuel [1898-1921], William Henry [1904-1978], Paul Francis
[1906-1982]. William Henry Goans was married to Rosa Buchanan, and they were
the parents of: Henry Dean, John Wilford, Barbara Ella, Robert Hershel, Wanda
Violet and New-ell Goans. Any help appreciated. Mary Lou Hudson-Goans, 8276S
600W, Claypool, IN, 46510. 219/491-2382.
==Dear Cousins==
I am seeking data on Burton Goins
and family from NC who settled in Claiborne Co, TN about 1835. His children
were: Wil-son who married Matilda Dyer, Thomas who married Suffiah Goins, Polly
who married John Hall, Etta who married Levi Goins, Cassie who married John
Goins, Betsy who was married to John Goins as his second wife.
Burton Goins had a brother,
William Goins who settled on Straight Creek. His children were Pleasant who
married Miss Hamilton, William, Levi who married his cousin Etta [above] and
Betsy who married William Murphy. Troy A. Goins, 3022 W. Water, Springfield,
MO, 65802, TAG2382@aol.com
==Dear Cousins==
Dr. Brent Kennedy will teach "The
Melungeons" a one-credit course on Monday nights from 7-9:30 p.m. from February
24 through March 31 at Bristol, TN Middle School. The class will examine the
history and the culture of the Melungeon peo-ple of Appalachia. The historical,
linguistic, medical genetic and other forms of evidence supporting the various
theories of origin for the mysterious Melungeons will be considered. Cost is
$96 for in-state residents and $286 for out-of-state students. Tamyra M.
Kennedy, Box 2712, Wise, VA, 24293, 540/328-6337, tmk3k@pluto.clinch.edu.
==Dear Cousins==
The check is in the mail! I just
learned about the exciting new things the Foundation is doing online and am
E-mailing my Gowen research herewith. My gggm, Draxey C. Gowen was born in 1842
in Bradford, ME to Moses P. Gowen & Orilla [Laurilla?] Gowen. Draxey was
married December 2, 1866 in Charleston, ME to Elijah S. Smith, son of John Smith
& Harriet Mansell Smith. I would like to correspond with other re-searchers who
have data on the Gowen family of Maine.
Debbie Krupke, 6 Strawberry Hill
Rd, Bar Harbor, ME, 04609, 207/288-2304, krupke@acadia.net, Homepage: http://home.acadia.net/userpages/krupke.
==Dear Cousins==
I never ceased to be amazed at how
much material has been gathered on the Gowens/Goins etc. You have done a
marvelous job of putting it all together. I would venture that the Founda-tion
now has more information than any other surname organi-zation. Without it, I
would never have gotten beyond my mater- nal g-g-gm Margaret Gowens who married
Louis W. Bryant. Good work! Rex Addison, Rt. 2, Box 277D, Altha, FL, 32421,
904/762-3325, raddison@digitalexp.com
==Dear Cousins==
My husband recalls that his
grandfather, Jesse Harrison Gowin, Jr, related that his father, Jesse Harrison
Gowin, Sr. was born c1840 in Knox County [later Loudon Co.], TN. The senior
Gowin continued in Loudon County July 28, 1862 when Jesse Harrison Gowin, Jr.
was born. The senior Gowin, a schoolteacher, was killed in his classroom during
the Civil War, probably in TN. Jesse Harrison Gowin, Jr. named his first son
Charles Dottson Gowin. I have a record of "Dotson Gowing" who was married to
Nancy Moore October 24, 1856 in adjoining Monroe Co, TN. "Dodson G. Gowen"
served in the Seventh Tennessee Cavalry Regt, Co. C, during the Civil War.
"Dotson Goen" served as a private in the Forty-third Tennessee Infantry Regt,
Co. 3, during the Civil War. Can anyone tie all this together? Jo Reeves, 621
SW 32nd, Oklahoma City, OK, 73109, 405/634-8977.
February 1997
Wow, I have just received the
two research packets you sent on my York County, Maine Gowen family, and I am
impressed! However much fun we amateur genealogists have doing whatever it is
we do, it is always a delight to find someone who has done a lot of your work
for you. My Contributing Mem-bership is enclosed. I am looking for-ward to
learning more about the remarkable Manuscript and look forward to being a member
of the Foundation. Victor G. Jackson, 7728 W. 85th St, Playa del Rey, CA,
90293.
==Dear Cousins==
Thanks so much for the Newsletter
file. I mention the Foundation frequently in my Kinsearching column. There
seems to be several Melungeon/Redbone families living in our county. I study
the Newsletters because I gain more information from them than I do from the
resources at our library. It is obvious that the Foundation is really digging
and researching the mystery of the Melungeons. I cannot use the computer or the
Internet because of serious eye surgery, but I can read the Newsletters--every
word! Johnnie Blair Dean, 12801 Roydon Dr, #819, Houston, TX, 77034.
==Dear Cousins==
We are searching for information
on Lewis Goings, b1823, Giles Co, VA, d1890, m1846 in Delaware Co, IN to Mary
Elizabeth Ketterman. Their daughter, our gggm, Mary Anne was married in
Delaware Co, IN to Thomas Garner in Blackhawk Co, IA "at the home of her
parents." Any data on this family will be much appreciated. Sharla G. Bertram
and Jerry C. Bertram [siblings], 3806 Manchester NW, Albuquerque, NM, 87107,
sbertram@flash.net. A research team composed of your cousins and Foundation
members, Evelyn McKinley Orr of Omaha, Ramona Thomas of Eureka, CA, Rosalie
Holben of Mohave Valley, AZ, Hazel M. Wood of San Diego, Catherine Elizabeth
Strawn Olquin of Arcadia, CA, Alice P. Thorn of Pembroke, VA and Norman Haskell
Goings of IN has put together a detailed narrative on your ancestors. A
print-out is being forwarded to you.
==Dear Cousins==
Mary Sellers was mc1720 in MD or
VA to William Spurgeon. From 1730-1755 they lived on the Potomac River just
east of Sheperdstown, WV. Mary, a widow and her sons removed to Rowan Co, NC
c1756. Can anyone assist me with these families? I found the church incident
involving Sis. Susanna "Sookie" Kitchen very interesting. Might Sis. Kitchen
have "harbored them Melungeons" because they were kinsmen? Kitchen individuals
are involved in my family. Are they Melungeon? Larry Dean Spurgeon, 1146
Orville Ave, Kansas City, KS, 66102-5140.
==Dear Cousins==
I am a 34-year-old lady from
Norway which has just been connected with the Internet. My first trip on the
net brought me to you in my search for family members in America. My mother is
Norwegian, and my father is American. I have not heard from my father, Alberto
Monroy Gowens since I was too small to remember. All papers indicating how to
find him were lost in a fire several years ago. I have learned that my father
tried to reach me many years ago. I would like to be a member of your group,
hoping that you can assist me in my search. I am the only person in Norway with
Gowens as surname, I believe. Anne-Linda Gowens, gowens@sn.no. Try Albert M.
Gowens, 4600 Paradise Road, Apt. 56, Las Vegas, NV, 89109-7194, 702/737-3367.
Good luck, Anne-Linda.
==Dear Cousins==
Through the Foundation and its
helpful members, I have been able to locate my Goins ancestors in a short period
of time. As an avid 60-year-old netsurfer, I posted a query on the Claiborne
County, TN Website. Within two days, I received an E-mail from Johanna Howard
suggesting that I check the Foundation Website. Searching for Daniel Goins, I
was amazed at the number of references you list. I received an E-mail from
Dianne Stark Thurman and a photocopy of the April 1993 Newsletter with the
headline, "Daniel Goins Pioneered in Washington County, Virginia." I believe he
is my 5th-generation grandfather. I was also aided by a letter from Geraldine
Webb. I look forward to being a member of the Foundation. You have a wealth of
information and wonderfully kind and helpful member cousins. Terry B. Hildreth,
2805 Wellington Dr, Florissant, MO, 63033, adwtman@aol.com.
==Dear Cousins==
"Goin and Variants: Going, Gowin,
Gowen, Gowan, Goen, Gowing" is off the press! All 626 pages are printed and
bound, and 40 years of work is done. Please advise the members that their
copies are being shipped. Dianne Stark Thurman, 4201 Wildflower Circle,
Wichita, KS, 67210, 316/529-0438, dst@southwind.net
==Dear Cousins==
I am seeking information on Lawson
Gowins and Ruthey Harper Gowins, my g-grandparents, who were married May 16,
1865 and lived in southern Illinois. He was born in Tennessee about 1840 of
parents who were also Tennesseeans. In early enumerations he was listed as
"black" or "Indian," but later he appeared as "white." Illinois records also
show the surname spelled as "Goins," "Goin," Gowin and Gowan. There was a
village named Gowanville, Illinois in the early 1900s, and there is a Gowins
Cemetery located in Pope County, Illinois. I would be glad to share my
information with any researcher. Can the Foundation assist me? Connie Gowins
Kommer, 105 S. 10th St, Altamont, IL, 62411, 618/483-5687.
==Dear Cousins==
What a wonderful and informative
Newsletter that is so full of useful research data! My 1997 renewal is
enclosed, and I am excited to be coming on the Internet in the very near future
and accessing even more Goins research. Elsie Taylor Goins, 112 Olde Springs
Rd, Columbia, SC, 29223, 803/699-0759
==Dear Cousins==
My husband, Roy E. Gooing passed
away June 23, 1995, but I am still researching his lineage. I would like some
information about Temperance "Tempey" Gowan in the 1850 and 1860 census returns
of Carroll County, TN. I am willing to exchange data on Pleasant Gooing, bc1797
TN, and his wife, Temperance "Tempey" Cooper Gooing of Dallas County, AL.
Barbara Bigelow Gooing, 3950 Homedale Rd, #78, Klamath Falls, OR, 97603,
503/882-3727.
March 1997
As you know, I have been
searching for my father in Amer-ica for several years now without any luck.
Thanks to your help, we found him immediately. I have been E-mailing three or
four messages per day to my new-found father, and I am receiving just as many
back from him. I am absolutely positive that he is my father; he knows things
that he could not possibly know oth-erwise. The best of all is that he is just
like the father of my dreams. He is extremely happy about my making contact
with him, and we are going soon to visit each other.
This is a typical "Hollywood
ending" that you see in the movies or read in a magazine. I am so truly, truly
grateful for the help from you. I really do not know to express the gratitude
for what you have given me. My life completely changed last week; I now have a
father, thanks to you. It would have been impossible for us to have been
reunited without your help. I am sending an application for a Contributing
Membership in the Foundation. You have changed my life! Anne-Linda Gowens,
Evje Terrasse 5A, 1300 Sandvika, Norway, +47+67567935, gowens@sn.no
==Dear Cousins==
I am researching the family of
Moses P. Gowen and his wife Laurilla [Orilla?] of Lebanon, ME. He was born
there in 1814, and she was born in Bradford, ME [then called Blakesburgh] in
1818. In the 1900 census of York County, ME, Moses P. Gowen was living in the
home of his daughter, Ester P. Gowen Hall. Children born to Moses & Laurilla
include: Sylvia Gowen bc1817, Synthia Gowen, bc1839, Draxey C. Gowen b1842,
Sarah Gowen bc1843, Dorcas Gowen bc1845, Ester Gowen bc1847 and Moses M. Gowen
b1849. Elijah S. Smith and Draxey C. Gowen, my g-g-gps, were married in 1866 in
Charleston, ME. I would be glad to share information with any Gowen
researcher. Debbie Krupke, 6 Strawberry Hill St, Bar Harbor, ME, 04609, krupke@arcadia.net
I need some help with my
ancestors. My gggf John Goins and wife Louisa had a son, Alfred Goins who was
married to Arminda "Mindy" Dodson. Their son, my grandfather, Henry Clay Goins
was born in 1877 and was married to a cousin, Nezzie Goins, born in 1882. They
were enumerated in the 1870, 1880 and 1900 census of Bledsoe County, TN.
All of my family have olive or
coppertone skin and black hair, attributed legendarily to an Indian ancestor.
Now I wonder if there was an element of Black or Melungeon blood in the mix.
Ideas, anyone? Whatever my
ancestors were, I am proud of them for they had a hard time, and I want to
know. Patsy I. Goins Delehanty, 650 Koch Ave, Vandalia, OH, 45397.
==Dear Cousins==
I am getting back into the Gowen
family genealogy and have been updating my material. I have completed
considerable fam-ily history on approximately 300 Gowen families and feel that
it should be shared with those who are interested. I am interested in
re-affiliating with the Foundation. Yvonne M. Gowen, 15015-91 "A" Ave, Surrey,
British Columbia, Canada, V3R 1B8.
==Dear Cousins==
We still talk about the great time
in Nashville with all the cousins, and we are looking forward to doing it again
in Salt Lake City in 1988. Enclosed is my 1997 renewal and an order for a set
of the Conference tapes. I have seen the Foundation Webpage on the Internet,
and it is amazing what has been ac-complished by some many cousins working
together. I never knew there were that many Goins in all the world! Jon Lee
Goins, 9404 Hunters Trace, Austin, TX, 78758.
==Dear Cousins==
What a delight to meet and talk to
you, albeit limited to the telephone! I am enclosing a copy of my Gowen/Going-Hollis
file which may be useful to you. The trek of the Gowen-Hollis families from
Fairfax and Prince Edward Counties, VA, thru Or-ange and Anson Counties, NC and
into Fairfield, Kershaw, Richland and Union Counties, SC is fascinating as they
moved along together. Can you tell me why Alexander Gowen and Moses Hollis were
in conflict while in Fairfax County. I have already retained a genealogical
researcher in Caswell County and am retaining one for Anson County to make
further inquiry into our families' connections. I want to know more about my
believed-to-be Gowen ancestors and would like to hear from Foundation members
who might help. William Slater Hollis, Brig-Gen, U. S. Army [Ret.], Box 511087,
Melbourne Beach, FL, 32950.
==Dear Cousins==
I need to find the parents of
James Alexander Gowin and Rebecca Adams Gowin. Nathaniel Gowin was born to them
July 28, 1794. He was married to Sabra Midgett in Roane County, TN July 20,
1813. Their son, Minor Steel Gowin who was born October 1, 1823 is my g-gf.
Can you help? Marian V. Davison, Route 1, Box 3120, Ft. Gibson, OK, 74434.
==Dear Cousins==
I did not fall off the face of the
earth, but I have been in England now for five months. My wife and family are
still in Florida, and Nancy has been forwarding my Newsletters. En-closed is my
1997 renewal and new address. I am trying to put together an article for the
Newsletter about my ancestor Jonathan Henry Gowen of Patrick County, VA and
Adair County, Kentucky. As I get closer to retirement from the Air Force, I
hope to have more time for research. Col. Sam Kret-zschmar, PSC 41, Box 3398,
APO AE 09464-3398
==Dear Cousins==
A friend of mine was surfing the
Internet and found you for me. My membership is enclosed. I am a Going by
birth and have been trying to discover my roots in New England. My g-gf Wilder
Horace Going was in Sutton, MA during the 1850s. I have been stymied for
months. Help, please. Mary Going Seabolt, 8048 Wofford Rd, Rudy, AR, 72952.
April 1997
The Foundation is incredible!
Your mighty works are awe-inspiring. What a blessing to the Gowen family,
personal and extended, you are. Thanks for the research that you sent. They
are most helpful and keep me from having to re-invent the wheel. I'll keep you
informed on what I turn up that will be of interest to Foundation researchers.
William Slater Hollis, Brig-Gen, U. S. Army [Ret.], Box 511087, Melbourne Beach,
FL, 32950.
==Dear Cousins==
I always read the Newsletter from
cover to cover, and I am always amazed at how interesting you make these
families that frequently have no connection to ours. You do have a way with
words. Enclosed is my 1997 membership renewal and an order for the Nashville
Research Conference tapes. Della J. Ford Nash, 2515 N.W. 26th St, Oklahoma
City, OK, 73017.
==Dear Cousins==
I just returned from New Braunfels,
TX where my Dad, Capt. George Anthony Gowen, Jr, USN [Ret.] [Newsletter,
Oc-tober 1991] died at the age of 79. He was a Destroyer skipper during WWII
and had over 30 years of service that stretched through the Korean War and into
Viet Nam. He was awarded the Silver Star, the Legion of Merit, the Joint
Service Commen-dation Medal and the Navy Commendation Medal. Thanks for being a
good friend with my Dad. So, he has "taken in all lines" for the last time and
is now in a better place. Charles T. Gowen, 524 Prince of Wales, Virginia
Beach, VA, 23452-5722, LPB795B@prodigy.com.
==Dear Cousins==
Seeking ancestry of Jonathan Henry
Gowen, b1822 Patrick Co, VA; m1846 Surry County, NC Hannah J. Beasley; d1905
Adair Co, KY. Can anyone confirm that he was the son of John Goin, Jr, the
grandson of John Goin, Sr. and the g-grandson of Shadrack Goin? Jean Grider,
1734 Salem Church Rd, Cave City, KY, 42127, 502/773-4480.
==Dear Cousins==
I am one of the many descendants
of George Warren Going and Maria Josephine Cass Going who were married in
Or-leans County, VT about 1855. He was born December 25, 1831 in Westfield,
VT. Children born to them were: Alfredah Eldoras, my ggf, Gertrude Elizabeth,
Amy Augusta, Clara Jenette, Jehiel Cass, Albert George, Edward Alonzo, Millard
Merton and Edith Adelda. I would like to hear from any re-searcher who has
information on the ancestry and siblings of George Warren Going and Maria
Josephine Cass Going. Martha Miller Byrnes, Fairfield, CT, 06432, Home-Byrnes@aol.comm.
==Dear Cousins==
In Caswell and Person Counties, NC
there was a block of Going men in the 1780s & 1790s: Goodrich Going m1791 Betsy
Matthews; Allen Going m1795 Rebecca Goins; Jesse Going m1784 Seeley Bairding;
John m1795 Betsey Hickman; Sher-wood Going m1st1783 Ruth Bennett & m2nd1804
Betsey Coventon; Isham Going m1792 Fanney Going; Edmond Going, Edward Going,
etc. Is anyone working on the descendants of Allen Going, Goodrich Going or
Edward Going? Does anyone know how these folks relate to the older Granville
County, NC branch of the family?
There was a large Goins settlement
in Rockingham and Surry Counties, NC and Patrick County, VA. Is a researcher
working on this branch. There seems to be a definite connection between these
folks and the Caswell/Person block in Burbage/Beveridge Going. On the other
hand, at least some of these folks appear to have been in the area as early as
1760 when it was still part of Halifax County.
I am tracing several related lines
[Gibson, Bass, etc.], and, of course, they are all a tangle. I would like to
hear from re-searchers who have any knowledge of any of the above. G. C.
Waldrep III, PhD, Duke U, 162 Old Satterfield Rd, Milton, NC, 27305.
May 1997
I finally made it to the
Internet and the Foundation Website. I am impressed with the acres and acres of
family information there. I stayed with it until my eyes glazed over. I just
wanted to thank everyone who has had a part in this tremendous under-taking!
Carlene Pagliara, 210 Robin Hill Ln, Duncan-ville, TX, 75137, pagliara@flash.net.
==Dear Cousins==
I am sad to report that my
brother, Henry Gordon Gowens died April 17, 1997. He died peacefully at home.
The family had graveside services April 19 with military honors which I was
pround to conduct. Gordon loved the work that the Founda-tion is doing and was
a great supporter of family history re-search. He believed that your efforts
are very important to coming generations as well as ours. He will be missed.
Michael Wayne Gowens, 1297 Bear Run Blvd, Orange Park, FL, 32065, mwgowens@worldnet.att.net.
==Dear Cousins==
My ggg-f William Alcorn was
married to Julia Goin/Gowen July 18, 1838 in Madison County, KY. Her parents
were William Goin and Elizabeth Welch/Tatum. She is sometimes re-ferred to as
"Tatum" because of her step-father. William Goin and Elizabeth Welch were
married in Madison County in 1811. Julia Goin Alcorn died in Ripley County,
IN. I would appreci-ate any information about her ancestry. Merritt R. Alcorn,
148 Fairmount Drive, Madison, IN, 47250
==Dear Cousins==
The obituary of Mrs. Thelma Gowen
Hannaford, 93, ap-peared in the April 12 edition of in the "Jacksonville
Times-Union." She was a charter member of the Foundation and a sister to Barney
Alexander Gowen who died in 1995. He was a family historian of the
Revolutionary Lt. James Gowen branch of the family. She was born September 15,
1903 to George Rhoan Gowen and Courtney Carney Littlefield Gowen in Cam-den
County, GA. She was buried in the Pineview Cemetery in Folkston, GA. She was
survived by a daughter, Merle H. Lloyd; three sons, J. O. Hannaford, Jr, George
L. Hannaford and Mau-rice W. Hannaford; a sister, Annie Pearl Gowen Page of
Jack-sonville and a brother, Baynard H. Gowen of Folkston. Betty J. Robertson,
3127 Home Park Circle N, Jacksonville, FL, 32207.
An Open Letter to . . .
Mr. Charley Camp
President, LlanoNet, Inc.
1220 Broadway, 10th Floor
Lubbock, Texas, 79401
Dear Charley,
It was gratifying to learn that our Website on your provider facilities continues to be No. 1 in "hits." However, it came as no surprise to the Foundation. We were well aware of the heavy Internet traffic being generated during the last few weeks and have been doing "double time" trying to keep up.
Since the announcement of our Foundation files going online in September, our membership has in-creased 10% per month, and the growth is accelerating. This is a new experience for our organization which has perennially experienced slow growth. Since it was chartered in 1989, we have struggled to grow. And during the first seven years, we learned a lot about loss-carry-forward and deficit financing.
We always regarded the Internet as a growth hormone for any organization. In fact, at our convention in Nashville last spring, I stood up and recklessly predicted that going on the Internet would double the size of our organization. I underestimated it. It appears that our growth in the eighth year will exceed every-thing we have done in the previous seven years.
We attribute a lot of this success to LlanoNet. Your staff has "gone the second mile" in assisting us when we needed guidance and training. We are grateful to Mark Hamilton for developing a search engine that allows any genealogist on his first visit to make a lightning-quick search of all of our files. Thus a researcher can determine how many files relate to his ancestors before he plunks down his money for a membership with us. Mark has come to our offices repeatedly to provide guidance and training for four members of our staff. We appreciate James Pricer and Matt Ferrell for tailoring a file transfer protocol program to our specific needs. Their work allows us to update daily any page of the 10,000 pages that compose our online Foundation Manuscript.
Our success story is not a single narrative. You may log onto the "Dear Cousins" section of our Website and find dozens of little success stories. These are arriving daily from members who are telling, in their own words, about family breakthroughs they are finding on the Website--thanks to your service.
I understand that "Melungia--Land of the Melungeons" is the most popular spot on our home-page. This section is devoted to the mystery people who, it is claimed, arrived in the Carolinas before Jamestown and Plymouth Rock. These are the ancestors of some of our members. Heretofore, American history books have ignored them; LlanoNet is helping them receive the recognition they deserve.
Having online all of the
Foundation Newsletters published since 1989 is also a valuable service rendered
by your organization. Many of these issues are now out of print, and the
complete files exist only in a few historical libraries and private
collections. LlanoNet makes it possible for every member--new or old--to have
his own private collection.
I have seen many developments in
genealogy and family history research in the 55 years that I have been engaged
in it. I began in 1941 while a junior journalism student at Texas Tech with a
penny lead pencil, a nickel Big Chief tablet and a 25¢ green eye-shade. Since
then, I have seen the advent of everything in between, from the ballpoint pencil
to the Internet. Yet I have not seen any development that has had as much
positive impact on our research as LlanoNet. It is for all the foregoing that
we express our appreciation to you and your staff.
Sincerely, Arlee Gowen