Nice note and great experience, Betty. I do hope those NEW to writing will realize that gathering all the materials together concerning the SINGLE family or person as to whom you will start is a MUST. None of us can write about the whole family at the same time, just as my preacher friend can't preach the whole Bible every Sunday. Those of us who live here love the South, and as one who traveled the East widely during 30 years in business, I can tell all that Southerners are VERY friendly and pleasant. ----- Original Message ----- From: Betty MacDuff To: [log in to unmask] Sent: Wednesday, July 13, 2005 12:20 PM Subject: My published books, Paul Drake Paul and list members, I agree with you Paul, anyone can write a book on one's families. I have written 2 and am on my third. Using FTM's Genealogy Report is a good base to start with and then go on from there. You just start writing and it all comes after while. Get stories from grandparents, (if alive, you are lucky) and parents. It was one thing I did before my Dad died 2 years ago. His story of growing up on a "truck" farm in NJ the years before and during the Depression. It was not an easy way of life. Story from maternal grandmother who lives in Phila in early 1900s who had a "mean stepmother." Really interesting stuff. With today's software, pictures are so easy to add to make then more interesting. I agree about interest from family members. The first book I published 23 copies and the second one had about 45. Kids and grandkids could care less, but someday maybe one of their kids will be interested in knowing who their ancestors were. I do this work for ME; I enjoy researching and finding out how my ancestors lived and died. It is absolutely amazing what they went through to settle the land, and make it a free country for us to be able to live here. I found a Revolutionary Patriot which enabled me to become a member of the DAR; a colonial settler which entitled me to become a member of the National Society of Colonial Dames, XVII Century, having settled in Jamestowne in 1619. And eventually found a Confederate soldier farmer from Virginia. Born and bred a Yankee from NJ, it is still hard to accept the southern way of life back then. Most of my ancestors in Virginia were slave holders as they had large farms. It is fun; heh, what else is there to do on a hot summer day? So don't be afraid to start. You never know, you may really get "hooked." As they say, "Genealogy begins as an interest, Becomes a hobby; Continues as an avocation, Takes over as an obsession, And in its last stages, Is an incurable disease." Author Unknown Betty MacDuff The Villages, FL ----- Original Message ----- From: "Paul Drake" <[log in to unmask]> To: <[log in to unmask]> Sent: Tuesday, July 12, 2005 8:54 PM Subject: Fw: [VA-SOUTHSIDE-L] Re: My published books >I have just now received a response worthwhile for all of us. > Donna writes: "....Be sure to encourage these folks too that even if they > think no one will ever be interested in the finished work that there will > always be at least one who is - the author!!" > > To subscribe, change options, or unsubscribe please see the instructions > at > http://listlva.lib.va.us/archives/va-roots.html > To subscribe, change options, or unsubscribe please see the instructions at http://listlva.lib.va.us/archives/va-roots.html -- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. Version: 7.0.323 / Virus Database: 267.8.14/48 - Release Date: 7/13/2005 To subscribe, change options, or unsubscribe please see the instructions at http://listlva.lib.va.us/archives/va-roots.html