Recent developments

First off, I want to convey my many thanks to my distant relatives for contributing their data to my own. Without their help, I definitely would not be much further with my research. Northern Ireland is a difficult area to research due to the political problems there and the damage sustained to the records. Thanks everyone!

Glenna has been there almost from the beginning. She was my very first contact and has been constant. About a year after Glenna came Edna. Now here's my first direct contact from my own line. Edna was in her early 70's and residing with her husband in NIR. She read my letter in the newspaper and decided to write. I was extremely excited about her letter because she was my grandmother's first cousin. We wrote for about a year and she gave me much information about the family before we broke off ties. It was a very sad separation and one that I care not to delve into at this time. Sadly, she had not been open to reestablishing our relationship but I continue to try every Christmas.

I don't recall the first time I wrote to Brian, who had found one of my postings on the Internet but it was probably about a year after Glenna. Brian had done extensive research of this line and he was a major contributor to my data. Thanks Brian!

So until just at the end of 2001, there really was just Glenna, Brian, and me. Glenna and Brian, I had hoped, were distant cousins. There were indications but no solid evidence that we were indeed related. All that changed when Jim Leslie arrived on the scene.

I received the initial correspondence from Jim in November of 2000 and shortly after that I had one from Patricia Leslie also. Jim had a large amount of wonderful information, including real correspondence from the USA and Northern Ireland, and a book written by one of his relatives on their branch of Leslies. In Jim's letters, there was a reference to my g-g-grandfather, Thomas, and my g-g-uncle Samuel, dated February 4, 1878 and which reads verbatim,

"You want to know about Thomas & Samuel how they are geting on. Thomas is geting on like the Most of new Marred couples. so you have a guess of that he has got marred to a Bueatifull picture of the Black Hudsons a daughters of Black Harves & Maryan Cuddens & she is 24 yrs of age. So I think he is well in. Saml say he would not stop to take a tirl afot to the States if you thought you could get him some old --- with a plantation as he is great for amrriey."

Jim has been very generous with his letters and there is a wealth of information contained therein. Thanks Jim!

Samuel and John arrived shortly after the New Year (2001). Samuel had found my website and contacted John. It turns out later that John had been in contact with Glenna. Samuel will be giving me more information shortly, after he compares my data to his. John joined the Society shortly thereafter.

Finally, at long last, I've a connection from my g-g-g-grandfather William Leslie! As of May 1, 2001 I've made the acquaintance of D. Alex Leslie, a cousin of mine through Alexander Leslie, my g-g-grandfather Thomas' brother! As things develop, I'll let you know, but I can tell you that I'm very excited about this!

Now I've another new cousin to report on, and hopefully more connections through her. Ruth came on the scene in April, 2002 and she is also through the Moses Leslie line. Moses Leslie is my g-g-g-grandfather's brother. We are beginning to exchange information now and correct any errors that I may have.

The Clan Leslie Society's next Biennial Gathering will be held in conjunction with the Orillia Scottish Games in Orillia, Ontario, Canada. We are all making plans to meet at these games! Won't it be wonderful to get all the family together! I can't wait until July 2002!