Heritage, Volume 11, Number 3, Summer 1993 Page: 4
30 p. : ill. ; 28 cm.View a full description of this periodical.
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THE PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
By John B. MeadowsI once read where a fellow mentioned to ,!
a friend that "his wife always acts historical
when I stay out late at night." "Hysterical,
you mean," the friend suggested. "No, historical.
She digs up all my past."
"Digging up all one's past" can be as
enjoyable and enlightening a past time as
one can do with their leisure. There is no
better place to learn more about history
than starting and continuing with an introspective
compilation of information,
stories, and photographs of one's family. If
one can gain a good perspective on who
their ancestors are, what they have endured
and accomplished, then that sense of being
helps prepare one for future journeys. ^
Those of you who have already taken
the time to explore your family history
know how much easier it is to understand where you are headed and
appreciate that generations to come will be looking back and
reviewing your actions. History starts with knowing about one's
own past.
Sources for gathering such knowledge are vast. Talking to the
elders of the family is an excellent starting point. Often times, there
already exists a family "historian" who has gathered and preserved
information from the past. Regardless of the extent of former
genealogical study, there remains enormous amounts of additional
information available for those who are willing to explore. Never
restrict one's scope to merely the recording of names and dates, but
rather seek to gain the stories of everyday life and events that
affected their decisions. An excellent beginning includes past
correspondence, newspaper clippings, and photographs. County
and other regional histories are available as are census records,
muster rolls, and other listings. Preserve the information for your
offspring's offspring.
Numerous organizations ranging from the Descendants of theL
E
T
Dear Friends:
The Baylor University Institute of Oral History congratulates
the Texas Historical Foundation on your recent issue featuring the
work of oral historians throughout Texas. We appreciate your
thorough coverage across the state and across the types of topics
represented in oral history research.Mayflower, Sons and Daughters of the
American Revolution, Sons and Daughters
of the Republic of Texas, to Sons and
Daughters of the Confederacy maintain
genealogical information. These are worthy
societies that have members who can assist
in tracing one's past and learning more
about the people and events of the time.
Quite often, as suggested above, these
investigations of the past will lead to the
discovery of structures that have historical
significance. Frequently these are in need
of preservation. What greater motivation
exists for restoration efforts than to feel
the presence of the past while walking
through a century-old homestead? Becoming
involved in the appreciation of past
family history is perhaps one of the best
ways to honor our ancestors.
The story that I opened my message with was, by the way, from
"Selected Stories, Quotations, and Aphorisms," by Dr. John Buford
Thomas, 1936, my grandfather.
Before I close, I would like to take a moment to report to you
more good news about the THF grants program. At the most recent
board meeting in Fredericksburg, the Board of Directors approved
the funding of preservation grants for the following projects: The
Republic of Texas Museum, the Texas Forestry Museum, and the
Moore-Hancock Farmstead. Read more about these preservation
projects on page 22. We are pleased that THF can be a part of these
exciting projects helping to preserve the heritage of Texas.
I close in thanking each of you for trusting me to be your
president this year. I sincerely appreciate all your kind words of
encouragement and equally so, your generous contributions to the
Foundation. I look forward with anticipation to my second year as
president and hope to hear from many of you in the year to come.
God Bless Texas.T
E
R
S
We extend our best wishes for your continued success in
contributing to the preservation of our rich Texas heritage and
culture.
Lois E. Myers
Associate Director, Institute for Oral History
Baylor University4 HERITAGE * SUMMER 1993
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Texas Historical Foundation. Heritage, Volume 11, Number 3, Summer 1993, periodical, Summer 1993; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth45416/m1/4/: accessed April 25, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas Historical Foundation.