Thanks to all who so quickly responded to my query about the word "fauksokutters." To answer some suggestions: Good thought re phonetic spelling of Southern accents. Hmmm? Foxhole cutters? Have to admit that's better than anything I came up with. Ray, thanks for sending out a request for help; hopefully one of your friends will have the answer I'm looking for. As to sending a copy of the original, I wasn't able to photograph or make a copy of it at UNC (Yes, U of N.Carolina). The copy I have is handwritten word for word, line for line. I spent several hours making sure it was a accurate copy. The letter writer's handwriting was not difficult to read, which makes it more aggravating than if he had scribbled. No, the family was not Cajun, but that doesn't necessarily mean they weren't "odd". --Tom To subscribe, change options, or unsubscribe, please see the instructions at http://listlva.lib.va.us/archives/va-roots.html