I'd be glad to join.

About 15 years ago I was invited to the five-day black Bellinger family re-union, but I forget the name of the Piedmont, S.C., county. As the only "white" there--and I was amazed, the last day at the "speak from your heart" last lunch; except in seeing my arms before me; I felt as one with the family--as if I was colorless. And I'm no super Liberal attempting to feel that way; that's just the way it turned out.

I believe your website shows an Alabama connection? My Thomas Malone, Sr., circa 1805, was U.S. Land Office agent, U.S. magistrate, and Asst. Indian agent, Ft. St. Stephens, Alabama. The book of (Pickin's?) Alabama biography, tell's how Malone got a passport through the Indian nation from Raleigh, N.C., to Ft. St. Stephens and took several (white) families with him and their slaves. It tells how a raft overturned and children (white and black?) drowned. Malone was originally from Malone's Mill Creek, Warren Co., N.C., to Raleigh; and from Ft. St. Stephens he finally settled Mobile. He and Capt. Edm. Pendleton Gaines, arrested Aaron Burr, and escorted Burr to trial, Richmond, Va.

If some one descends a Malone slave of Mobile, or Ft. St. Stephens, then their origins may go back to Raleigh, or even Warren Co., N.C.

The Navy has just named an ammunition ship in honor of Medgar Evers. In honoring Evers; the Navy also honors itself.

I know what you mean about needing to get the feel for the "lay of the land". I'm having a little bit of success online via Ancestry.com, but it also opens up MORE questions/doubts. I'd have never thought my Hill and Peel ancestors would be like looking up Smith or Jones. lol. Interestingly, however, there are a couple people popping into my life who have given me help -- a couple of "removed" & distant cousins, and a woman who, as a child, was a playmate when my Mother took me to Alabama to visit an Aunt. At 9 years old, we struck up a temporary friendship (meaning to keep in touch as pen pals) but I was there just a few days, and it didn't last. Now all these years later, she sends me a blind email asking permission to convey information about the Uncle and Aunt who were her neighbors. She didn't know it was the little girl from her past until I wrote back after recognizing her maiden name! We're now email-pals. I wish you the best of luck in your hunt, and I hope it opens doors to many friendships & re-acquaintances w/cousins & ancestors. God Bless.

Luckie, I'm back on the trail of Coleman Williams. Are you still there? My family and I have moved to Anchorage, Alaska and are finally stable. I feel I can get back to the research. Merry Xmas, Janeen