My Dear Children:<br><br>About thirty-five years ago, a casual remark, made in my hearing, aroused within me a desire to know something of my lineal ancestors. Prior to that time I had scarcely thought of any possible progenitors beyond my grand-parents. It seemed not to have occurred to me that they also had had parents and grand-parents in whom I, too, ought to have a personal interest. A little reflection convinced me that there must have been long lines of forefathers (and mothers too) whose blood coursed through my own veins, and whose memory I ought to cherish; but I knew little, as to who and what they had been, whence they came or where they lived. I interviewed my parents, uncles, aunts, and other older relatives, and examined such family records, from time to time, as opportunity occurred, until in the course of a dozen years I thought that I had collected all the information that was available.<br><br>About that time I became acquainted with other persons of kindred tastes, and was directed to other sources for research.