Photo Credits for Scottish Weekend pictures include Woody Bowers, Alastair McIntyre, Karen Durden, Tom Hodges and Paul & Sandy Mott.  Thanks everyone!

Randles donates original, framed painting for Family Tree fund-raiser!
Artist William S. Randles has donated a Florida scene to The Family Tree to be used as a fund raiser!  You may help this publication and have an opportunity to own this lovely picture at the same time!  If you'd like to help,  everyone will make their own entry slips...just write your name, mailing address and phone number on as many bits of paper as you'd like.  The chances are $5.00 each or five for $20.00.  Just enclose a check for the amount and your entry slips.  (Mail to: Painting, PO Box 2828, Moultrie, GA 31776-2828.)  We'll have the drawing in time for next Christmas!  The painting is valued at about $300.
William Stephens Randles lives now in Orlando, Florida but he grew up in upstate New York and began studying art at an early age.  He entered the United States Air Force in 1952 and retired in 1972.  He then spent three years studying in the Fine Art Department at Ringling School of Art in Sarasota, Florida, graduating with honors.  After Ringling, Mr. Randles had a twenty year career with Walt Disney World near Kissimmee, Florida.
He is married to Frieda and the couple will celebrate their Golden Wedding Anniversary next year.  They have five children and four grandchildren.  He is a Mason and a Shriner and active in the Scottish community.
His art has been sold and shown in several states.

Thanks to RootsWeb Review for our "Squire" article
We would like to thank RootsWeb Review: RootsWeb's Weekly E-zine, Vol. 6, No. 41, 8 October 2003, Circulation 946,231+ (c) 1998-2003 RootsWeb.com, Inc. http://www.rootsweb.com/ editor Myra Vanderpool Gormley, Certified Genealogist Editor - RWR@rootsweb.com  certification: http://www.bcgcertification.org/certification/ for our article entitled "What is a Squire" in the February/March 2004 edition of The Family Tree.
The article was written by Myra Vanderpool Gormley, CG. 

Cauthon family reunion set for Osceola, Missouri
The Cauthon family will gather on July 17, 2004 at the Osceola, Missouri Community Center on Goodrich Drive.  The theme for this year's reunion is "Simply Western."  Dress accordingly, if you wish.
Doors open at 9 AM.  Bring pictures and anything else you would like to share.  Displays will be photographs and printed family histories (Family histories will also be for sale).   There will be someone to help with your questions concerning the Cauthon family history.  A buffet luncheon will be served at 12:30 PM.
For more information, call 321-268-1201.

Want to purchase the Westerkirk Parish Kirk booklet from Clan Little?
The Westerkirk Parish Kirk booklet is available for $7.27 and may be ordered from Ross A. Little, 4819 S. Land Park Drive, Sacramento, CA 95822.

Florida State Genealogical Society sets conference for November
The Florida State Genealogical Society (FSGS) announces their 28th annual Genealogical Conference which will be held in Melbourne, Florida 12-13 November.  The conference will feature a main speaker and other lectures on topics in five tracks: Beginning and Intermediate Genealogy, Society Helps, Florida Research and Computers and Genealogy.
To request full information and registration forms, contact Ann Staley, State Conference Chairman, PO Box 441364, Jacksonville, FL 3222.  You may email astaley@comcast.net

Texas Research Ramblers set 10th annual seminar
The Texas Research Ramblers 10th annual Seminar is set for Saturday, 17 April 2004 at Blinn College Campus in Bryan, Texas.  The speakers for the event include: Ella Sheffield, Mic Barnette, and Robert de Berardinis. 
You may visit the Research Rambler website for complete registration information: http://www.sallysfamilyplace.com/Clubs/ramblers.htm

Dr. R. Quinn Pugh, Sr., 74, died Friday, February 13, in Savannah, Georgia during surgery.  He was a retired Baptist minister who worked with the Baptist World Alliance.  He was active in both the religious and historic communities in Bulloch County, Georgia.  Dr. Pugh was the first president of the Scottish Heritage Society of Southeast Georgia.
During his career, Pugh served as the pastor of churches in Louisiana, Georgia, New Jersey, Kentucky and Maryland and was executive director of the New York Metropolitan Baptist Association and later executive director of the New York State Baptist Convention.  At the time of his death, Pugh served on the Heritage and Identity Commission and the National Evangelism Workgroup for the Baptist World Alliance.
"Members of the Scottish Heritage Society of Southeast Georgia are both shocked and saddened at the untimely death of Dr. Quinn Pugh," said Burton Higgins, in a statement on behalf of the society.  "He was not only our leader, but a true friend as well.  We extend sincere sympathy to Norma, his wife and family members."
Dr. and Mrs. Pugh hosted us just a few weeks ago when we were invited to attend the Burns Supper in Statesboro.  We had a delightful time in their beautiful home and enjoyed our time with Quinn and Norma.  We have indeed lost a treasure in Quinn Pugh.  Your ed.

Terry Bennett Smithson Hildreth, 67, of O'Fallon, Missouri died last October.  He was a retired aerospace engineer for McDonnell Douglas Corp.  He was a former member of the United States Air Force.  He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Janette and a son and a daughter. 

J. David Murdock died last December 6 at age 67.  He had been pastor at The American Lutheran Church, District, The Evangelical Lutheran Church in American Northern Texas, Louisiana Synod and Elm Creek Lutheran Church.  He was a District Executive in the St. Louis Council of the Boy Scouts of America.  He received the District Award of Merit from Leon Valley District of the BSA and the Silver Beaver National Court of Honor, Heart of Texas Council.  He was a Philosophy Instructor at Central Texas College of Killeen, Texas.
Mr. Murdock served in the USAF and was a prisoner of Iraq's military during the 1958 Revolution.  He was at Beruit, Lebanon when President Eisenhower sent in the Marines in 1958.  He saw duty in Tripoli, Libya during their period of civil unrest.  He received the Commanders Award for Public Service from the Department of the Army.
He was a recipient of the Wildcat Award from Sir William Macpherson of Cluny, Chief of Clan Macpherson.  He was a Council member of the US Branch of the Clan Association since 1983 and was a Council member of the International Association.  He served since 1984 as Clan Sennachie and developed the Clan Macpherson Association website and was a member of many lineal and historical groups.

Daniel L. Forsythe, Master Gunnery Sgt., USMC (ret.), age 61, of Triangle, passed away last December at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. 
His military decorations include Combat Action Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal, Meritorious Unit Commendation, Navy Unit Commendation, Meritorious Mast, National Defense Service Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon (with one star), Vietnam Service Medal (with two stars), Certificates of Commendation, Rifle Expert Badge (8th award), Letter of Appreciation (4th award), Pistol Expert Badge (6th Award), Republic of Vietnam Unit Citation, Cross of Gallantry and the Vietnam Campaign Medal.  At his retirement, he was presented with the Navy Commendation Medal.
In 1991, Daniel won the Silver Medal in the Police Fire World Championship Games.  (It should be noted that the gold medal was won by an Olympian from the USA and he was also competing against two other Olympians.  The rifle he won with - he built.)

Do you have information on WILLIAM REBEL or BILL FARLEY and son, JOHN HENRY FARLEY born 1882?  Do you have information on GILES COVA and wife LUCY COLE?  I am also looking for the birthplace of JOHN THOMAS CREMEANS 1886-1905, with wife ALTA CASAD and I am looking for information on LESLIE THOMAS LEWIS born Tennessee.  I am looking for LILLIE S. LEWIS born 1886  and died 1973 in Dalton, Illinois.  Parents were JOHN CAMPBELL STEWART and ISABELLE came from Scotland.  Her maiden name is unknown. LESLIE THOMAS LEWIS parents were THOMAS FORREST LEWIS and IDETTA FISCHER.   Please write Hal Lewis 124 Cumberland Ave., Buffalo, NY 14220.

Clan Hunter and Clan Muirhead to gather next August in Scotland
The Clan Hunter and Clan Muirhead will hold a joint International Gathering next August 6-August 8 at Hunterston Castle, West Kilbride, Ayrshire, Scotland. 
For complete information on membership and the gathering, please visit http://www.hunterclanusa.org and/or http://www.clanmuirhead.com 

Indiana County, Pennsylvania to host 27th annual statewide Conference on Black History in Pennsylvania
The Historical and Genealogical Society of Indiana County, Indiana University of  Pennsylvania and community organizations including the NAACP and the Chevy Chase Community Center will host the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission's annual Black History in Pennsylvania Conference in April. 
The Conference on Black History is an annual event sponsored by the PHMC and other local and state history organizations.  It focuses on different aspects of Pennsylvania's African American heritage.
This year's conference marks the 50th anniversary of Brown vs the Board of Education of Topeka, Kansas, the landmark Supreme Court decision that overturned Plessy v. Ferguson (Separate but Equal) and brought a legal end to segregation through the vehicle of public school education.  Several workshops will reflect the emphasis on Brown and African American education while others include African Americans and the Media, Indiana County African American History and the Underground Railroad in Pennsylvania.  The conference will also have receptions and cultural events over the three days.
For more information contact chriscat@ptd.net       

"We who lived in concentration camps can remember the men who walked through the huts comforting others, giving away their last piece of bread.  They may have been few in number, but they offer sufficient proof that everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms - to choose one's attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one's own way."
Viktor Franki, author, neurologist and psychiatrist, Holocaust survivor (1905-1997)        

How old was I when????
If you'd like some help in putting your own life into perspective you would enjoy visiting the Age Gauge http://www.frontiernet.net/-cdm/agelbd.html and enter your own birthday. 
You'll learn how much older or younger you are than assorted celebrities and how old you were when Kennedy was assassinated, man first walked on the moon, the Berlin Wall fell, etc.
It occurs to your editor that this would be something fun to tuck into a birthday card for a special friend!

Here's access to many wonderful resources...
The Godfrey Memorial Library in Middletown, Connecticut, has expanded its Godfrey Scholars program.  They offer on-line access to HeritageQuest, along with searchable versions of The Los Angeles Times (1881-1984), The New York Times (1851-2001) and The Washington Post (1877-1988).
You can search every word in every article.  Visit <www.Godfrey.org> for a look at this interesting site.
There are more newspapers available and the Godfrey Library website has details on all the on-line services the library provides.  You will find a membership application you can download, fill out and mail in. 
The cost to become a Godfrey Scholar is $35.00 a year.

Are you working on a Dutch heritage?
 Here's some help...
The Atlantic World: America and the Netherlands explores the history of the Dutch presence in America and the interactions between the United States and the Netherlands from Henry Hudson's 1609 voyage to the Post World War II period.  The project is the product of ongoing cooperation between the Library of Congress and the National Library of the Netherlands, which has enlisted the cooperation of other leading Dutch libraries, museums and archives.
You may visit http://international.loc.gov/intldl/awkbhml/awkbhome.html
Along with Britain, France, Russia and Spain, the Netherlands was one of the few European powers to claim territory and build settlements on North American soil.  The initial stage of this on-line project, completed in the fall of 2003, focuses on the period between 1609 and 1664, when the Dutch established the colony of New Netherlands, located in parts of present-day New York, New Jersey, Delaware and Connecticut.

Your editor honored by SAMS
The Lt. Hugh McKay Post #7 of the Scottish-American Military Society, Lt., of Savannah, Georgia made The Family Tree editor, Beth Gay, an Honorary Member during the Scottish Weekend 2004 Saturday evening festivities.  Gary Adams, Bill Davidson and George Murdoch - the Honor Guard for the weekend - presented Beth with a certificate, a medal and kind words and hugs.
You made me cry then...and I cry now when I think of the honor you have bestowed.  Thank you.

Want to knit or crochet & help someone too?
Alice Godard Allen knits caps for the Head Start children in her area of Connecticut.  She uses the yarn she has left over from other projects to design hats of all different colors.  Alice is glad to share her patterns.  You could make caps for children in your own area of the country.  Goodwill, The Salvation Army and other groups are always looking for items like this.  To get Alice's cap pattern, write her at 68 Suncrest Drive Ext., Somers, CT 06071.  You may email her at allengodard3@worldnet.att.net 
Anne G. Jones, knits sweaters for the Guideposts sweater project.  Did you know that you can get patterns from Guidepost?  You can get patterns for both knitted and crocheted sweaters on their website.  When you complete a sweater (or two or three or more), you send them to the Guidepost office in New York and they send the sweaters to children all over the world.  Go to www.guideposts.com or write Anne at PO Box 688, Dandridge, TN 37725.

Heads up!  Genealogy scam!
If you receive spam mail from GenealogyTechs.net or any similar-sounding address...please forward it to the Cedar Rapids, Iowa Police Department at k.washburn@cedar-rapids.org  
If you see a website offering something for sale and not accepting credit cards, ask yourself, "Why does this merchant not accept credit cards?  Not even via PayPal?"  Most of the time, it is because the merchant has severe financial problems.  Remember that purchases made on-line with VISA, MasterCard or American Express are fully insured against fraud by the credit card companies.  PayPal transactions are also fully insured in the same manner.

A wedding dress is white...thanks to Queen Victoria...
and more wedding trivia...
The color white for a wedding dress was introduced by Queen Victoria.  Before that, any color was fine except green (which was associated with the fairies) and black (which was for mourning). 
The tradition of the bride wearing "something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue" is still often followed.
Traditionally, there were never any knots in ribbons or wedding clothing.  If there were, they were re-tied after the wedding.  Have you ever referred to a wedding as "tying the knot?" 
Thanks to The Caledonian Courier.

Alexander Hamilton tribute set for July 2004
The descendants of Alexander Hamilton are planning a wreath-laying ceremony on 13 July 2004, the 200th anniversary of his death, at the gravesite in the churchyard of Trinity Wall Street in New York City.  If you would like complete information, please contact Mary Rhinelander McCarl, 28 Old Nugent Farm Road, Gloucester, MA 01930, or email mrmcarl@post.harvard.edu  

Colonial Roots wants YOU!
Colonial Roots is looking for genealogists interested in compiling or abstracting information for income.  You'll need to have your own computer, accurate typing skills and an Internet connection.  You should also be skilled at deciphering early handwriting.
If you'd like complete information please email edwright@delmarvaroots.com if you want more information.

Here're some hints for better use of "Google"...
When you're using Google, you might want to know these few facts: The word "site" followed by a colon lets you restrict your search to a specific site.  To do this, use the syntax site:sampledomain.com in Google's search field.  Be sure to put a space between your search term and the word "site."  For example, genealogy site:hawaii.rr.com brings up every page on Hawai'i Road Runner that contains the word "genealogy."  If you want to use a two or three-word phrase as your search term, put it in double quotation marks: "acadian families" site:sympatico.ca  You can learn more about Google searches at www.google.com/help/refinesearch.html

An early Happy 300th birthday to Albuquerque!
Albuquerque, New Mexico, will be 300 years old in 2006.  The city is planning a year long celebration beginning in April 2005.  The New Mexico Genealogical Society's contribution to the Tri-Centennial will be a book titled A Genealogical History of the Founding Families of the Villa de San Felipe de Albuquerque. 
The project is outlined at the NMGS website at http://www.nmgs.org