ISSN #1055-1891

Hello Cousins:

Well, the summer's over, and after all that rain that El Nino gave us last winter here in California, the summer has made up for it with days and days of temperatures over 100. I'm glad Autumn is here, although here it doesn't really come until the end of October. Hope you all had a good summer, and vacationed where you dreamed of.

We've had a good response to the idea of a Lifetime Membership. Only one letter received wanted the money to go elsewhere, genealogical societies and libraries, and the education of young people on the value of genealogy. We can do that, too.

I am at present attempting to straighten up my office. It will no doubt be sometime in the new millennium before that task is completed, I'm afraid. Correspondence older than 5 years I'm filing away elsewhere to leave room in our filing cabinets for the incoming. The internet has made our organization very popular. But it means we receive new information and new subscribers, and we have a great time connecting people who share the same lineage. It's a real joy!

You will note on P. 41 the passing of my husband, Wayne Rawlings. I had promised myself to find his missing ancestor, the mysterious JAMES RAWLIN(G)S (1777-1855) of Virginia, Ohio and Illinois, before Wayne passed over, but when I realized that wouldn't be I told him to find out and somehow let me know. I have my fingers crossed. It would certainly save me a lot of work.

Keep up the good work.