Some people have asked why I put so much time into developing this Web site. My primary reason is that I want to leave a documented family history as a legacy to our future generations so they'll have a better understanding of their rich heritage.

Also, I like to think of this site as a tribute to the past generations who brought us to this point in our lives. Unfortunately, most of their stories have been buried with them. My one regret is that I didn't begin this effort earlier when many of our ancestors were still around to provide the answers to a lot of questions.

It would be difficult (if not impossible) for one person to trace the ancestry of such a large family as ours. I thank everyone who provided information for this Web site. The site will remain available for all who want to visit it and be reminded of who we are and where we came from.

The following poem pretty much sums up my feelings regarding the importance of understanding our links to the past.

...David Ellis

 
A GENEALOGY PRAYER
author unknown

Lord, help me dig into the past,
And sift the sands of time,
That I might find the roots that made
This family tree of mine.

Lord, help me trace the ancient roads,
On which my fathers trod,
And led them through so many lands,
To find our present sod.

Lord, help me find an ancient book,
Or dusty manuscript,
That's safely hidden now away,
In some forgotten crypt.

Lord, let it bridge the gap that haunts
My soul, when I can't find
The missing link between some name
That ends the same as mine.