Now, we’re Electric Family Tree on electricscotland.com

My doctor has just been adamant about my taking “stress” from my life.  I have really been trying.  I even bought a book that promised a quick “fix” for stress.  The book said “move to Colorado” to remove stress.  (It forgot to say how you would afford such - or how you would eat once you were there...)

I’m afraid - and most of you who know me, know it - that The Family Tree is the largest source of stress that I have...and in my own self I know it was a financial crisis involving the paper that set off my heart attack last October. 

I can’t do that again, friends.

So, I have put all of this in the hands of a Higher Power and also put it in your hands.  I am glad to do the publication so long as I am physically and mentally able to do so.  The trick is...we have to have the money to print and mail.  I simply cannot literally kill myself begging for money and worrying about the future of this publication. 

When the half way time came this time...we did not have half the money.  We had no choice.  The Family Tree will now be on the Internet only - and if you're reading this, you've found us!

So many of you have been so incredibly generous for so long. I really and truly cry as I am so touched at how kind you are.  Thank you.

We'll start with the most recent crisis (the last issue) and our heroes...most of whom have asked for anonymity.  There was a wonderful gentleman in Delaware who sent a check for $3000 - no questions asked.  There was another wonderful gentleman in New York who sent $2,000  - no questions asked.  Another anonymous donor had made a gift sometime ago that we were able to use...and we had some advertisers who paid their overdue bills...and some normal contributions that arrived in the nick of time.  We made it one more issue.

I’ve had to realize I simply cannot help it that gasoline has become so very expensive nor that our nation’s economy has been through a really bad time.  Those things affect our smaller donors most of all...and without them, we are toast.

Someone said, “Well, Beth, why don’t you just tell everyone you need money?”  I had to laugh as I think I have done everything but BLEED on this page!  (Come to think of it, I have bled on the pages thanks to sharp mat knives...)

I must thank The Clan Hamilton Society, Oliver W. Hamilton, Jr., KCTJ, FSA Scot, president, who sent a wonderfully kind gift to The Family Tree.  Thank you to Mr. Hamilton and to all of the Clan Hamilton members.

The Clan MacLeod Society, USA, Inc., South Central Region from Houston, Texas has made a most generous gift to the publication.

Scott and Treena Trimble of Burlington, Kentucky and the Clan Turnbull made a $100 contribution to The Family Tree and have issued a “Clan Challenge” to other Clan organizations who have not yet made a contribution.

The Sovereign Military Order of the Temple of Jerusalem - Priory of the Holy Rood - has made a marvelously generous contribution to this publication.

The MacPherson Charitable Trust has made a wonderful contribution to our publication and library as well.  Thank you all so much.

In Moultrie, Mrs. Mitchell Smith made a contribution that was very, very generous.  We thank you so much! 

We’ve had Super Postage Heroes this time...Anne M. Wood of Ben Wheeler, Texas; June McLaren of Louisville, Tennessee; Nan C. Jeffries of Raleigh, North Carolina, The Rev. Dr. Hugh Ward of Moultrie, Georgia; Donna La Rocca of Issaquah, Washington; Alta and Chuck Bearman of Valdosta, Georgia; Chuck Hotchkiss of Winston-Salem, North Carolina; Gloria McLeod of Houston, Texas; Robert E. MacLeod, Northeast Regional Vice President of the Clan MacLeod Society, USA, Inc., Joyce M. Krimminger of Charlotte, North Carolina; Parley Lamar and Elva Ray Egbert of Thomasville, Georgia and Mr. & Mrs. Wayne Gibson of Hendersonville, North Carolina.

More Super Postage Heroes this time include: Liz Curtis Higgs of Louisville, Kentucky; Sally Cottrell of Tucker, Georgia; Mr. John L. Scott of Gibsonia, Pennsylvania; Sir Francis McGowin of Andalusia, Alabama; S.R. & Anne Armstrong of Knoxville, Tennessee; Bobby & Melinda Gilbert of Huntsville, Alabama; Jacquelyn Delong of Butler, Georgia; Helen Cameron of Manheim, Pennsylvania; Tom Daniel of Albany, Georgia; Marcia & Russell Harper of Lewisville, North Carolina; Maureen H. Wolff of Woodstock, Georgia; William A. Cunningham of Annapolis, Maryland and Mr. Norman Walters of Ocala, Florida.

Ramona and Burton Higgins of Statesboro, Georgia have made a most kind contribution in memory of our mutual friend, the Reverend Dr. Quinn Pugh.  The Scottish Heritage Society of Southeast Georgia continues to grow with Dr. Jack Proctor, former vice-president, now elected president of the society upon the death of Dr. Pugh. 

Our Super Dooper Postage Heroes include Scots Heritage Magazine of Boswal, Australia; Barbara Henderson via Internet PayPal, an anonymous donor in Moultrie, Georgia; Mr. Charles M. East of Sun City, Florida; Doris Louise Buckner Davidson of Llano, Texas; Dr. James Lee Sturrock of Longview, Texas; Raymond A. and Joan C. Rushton of Rochester, New York and The Scottish Heritage Society of Rochester, New York; Dr. & Mrs. William Keith of Water Valley, Mississippi and Mr. and Mrs. Houston Lowry of Madisonville, Tennessee.

Super Dooper Postage Heroes include Don & Jane Boney of Chamblee, Georgia; my dear friend and traveling buddy, John D. Pringle of Puyallup, Washington; Annie Monroe Wigent of Pontiac, Michigan; and Bennie L. Miller of Fort Pierce, Florida.

No matter what the future holds, I will always believe that The Family Tree readers are the kindest and most generous people on earth.

Thank you.