Well - so - it's been about a month since I sent out any blog stuff; sorry for the delay.  For those interested, it's just been one of those months when it seemed I didn't do anything but stay on the computer or smart phone to field information and share as well.  But things have settled down somewhat for a while and I thought to start back in again.

Imagine my surprise and delight at finding a small box of CDs that primarily had been in Mom's house.  One of them, a home-made CD in a pink jewel box had me really going!!  It said Clayton Family History & Other Notes.

Quite a few years ago - probably the late 1970's or very early 1980's a cousin (Addie, I think her name was) of Grandpa Clayton (my mother's father) had done EXTENSIVE research on his family tree, going back very thoroughly past the time of Charlemagne and in that lineage!  She sent the pages to Grandpa, who gave them to Mom.  Addie also included a photo of a movie star (female) that is a 3rd cousin or thereabouts.  The star's great-great grandfather and mine were identical twins!  Her family is also from Ritchie County, WV, though I think her mother left there when she (the mother) was about 16.

Being related to both her and Charlemagne were interesting enough tidbits, but we also are in the line of Princess Diana - though somewhat removed!!  Governors, teachers, horse-traders and preachers - oh my!!

However, my excitement was short-lived.  The CD is blank.  I don't know if the electronic file was never written to it or what.  Or if it's in another case.

The other sad thing is - my computer was hit hard a year ago by the Crypto-Locker virus.  it wiped out all of my documents and pictures.  A lot has been replaced via emails and Facebook pictures, etc., but some things like this Clayton History and some of my original poems are gone for good, it seems.  No way to recover them.

So - if any of  you family and friends have that file where Mom or I may have sent it to you, may I please have a copy emailed back to me?  My email address is mlydickgriffing@yahoo.com.  I would appreciate it greatly.

I'm not sure how far back the electronic file goes - Mom passed away in 2010 so it would be before that, so check any archives or dusty files you may have.