Carolyn W. Smith - Crystal River, FL
November 22, 2005
Dear Myrtle, The book arrived late yesterday,
we are so pleased with it and the map too. Plan to order some other books after the holiday. Have a
great Thanksgiving!
Carol Richardson - Nashville, Tennessee
March 26, 2005
Myrtle, Last year I was able to finally trace my father's roots back to Kintyre Scotland as a
descendent of John McBryde and Mary Gilchrist's son- Duncan. I also had the pleasure of meeting
my relatives (descendents of Duncan's son, George McBryde of Montgomery County Georgia). Through
your books, the internet sites, etc. I have successfully and accurately given a gift to my father
"his roots" shortly before his death.
I just wanted to say Thank you for all your efforts. If it were not for your information, I never
would have made my father's dream possible. At his funeral last April, we had bagpipes play Amazing
Grace- a fitting tribute to a Highlander from Scottland.
Margaret Gaston - Georgiana, Alabama
March 21, 2005
Just received my book yesterday - it is
a wonderful collection of interesting documents - AND it is indexed. THANKS.
Beth Campbell - Interlachen, Florida
April 24, 2004
I received my copy of "Our Native Heath - Richmond County North Carolina
1779-1899" on Friday, and I already want to thank you for your outstanding
contribution to our family genealogy. The information provided in this book
has helped us fill in alot of gaps on the Campbell Family side of our tree.
I will highly recommend your book to all of our family members. Thank you
so much for your research, and even more important; thank you for printing
and sharing this valuable information with everyone.
Nancy Steward - Calhoun, Georgia
June 30, 2003
Dear Myrtle, I have just received your book, 'Our Native Heath', and I am thoroughly
enjoying it. I found many Stewarts in it however, I didn't see all the info. on the
computor about the Stewards in "Scattered Seed". Now I guess I will have to save up
for that one, if it is anything like this book it should be a winner.
James F. Utley - Fulton, Maryland
May 29, 2002
Myrtle, got your book! Love it! Couldn't put it down all night last night. PS, I am Aries, also.. Jim
Madonna M. Hill (Lee) - Fairbault, Minnesota
December 17, 2001
Myrtle, The books arrived on Saturday in good condition. I am glad that you double boxed them because the
outer box was damaged, but the books were all right. I am very happy with them. I can tell that you put an
enormous amount of work into them. You did a good job! ...
I found two items to be of particular interest. The estate record of Malcolm C. Morrison in Vol. III was
quite informative. Also, the footnote on page 160 of Scattered Seed concerning gunmaking. I had first heard
about this from my husband's aunt in May of 2001. The Morrisons know of the existance of one of these guns
yet. Your footnote confirmed the story and added more detail. ...
All of this history is so interesting and worthy of preservation. I could not possibly research many of
these things myself because I live so far away. Thank you for sharing your work with the rest of the world.
Ann Burgess - Monticello, Arkansas
August 23, 2001
Dear Myrtle, Your most interesting book arrived last week. Because your sources were
original documents the reader does not have to differentiate between fact
and opinion. Thank you for a momentous task well done. As of yet I haven't had much time to spend with
the book, but am looking forward to learning more of my Everett, Thomas, and Covington kin. And to
simply enjoy the records and history of Richmond County.
With regards, Ann Burgess
Amy E. Hughes - Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Myrtle,
Wanted you to know that the books arrived and were such a welcome bright spot
in an otherwise stressful day.
You have done such fabulous work, Myrtle. Thank you! Amy
Joy Whitley - Savannah, GA.
Myrtle: The books arrived... I cannot begin to tell you how much they mean to me... I am overjoyed...
You have done an excellent job and I feel as though I am in NC talking to family as I read them...
Please don't forget me when your new book is published.
Betty McBryde Barkley - Princeton, NJ
I received my copy of Myrtle Bridge's book, 'Our Native Heath, Richmond
County 1779 - 1899' today and WOW! After five minutes I found my whole gang.
And I was able to zero in on the correct name of my immigrant's spouse. By
the time I get through the entire book I will be doing jumping jacks!
Thanks Myrtle! ... Thanks again for all the hard work and love you put
into this book.
Rhea Sibley - Ennis, Texas
Myrtle,
I knew your book was going to be wonderful but it exceeds my highest
expectations. For Christmas I think I will give it to my dad's first cousin
who is in her late 80's. She has done so much work on the McSween's and after
Christmas I will reorder one for me. ... Thank you again, Rhea Sibley
James Palmer - Whiteville, North Carolina
Myrtle,
Congratulations on your book! I've had your message in my inbox for a
while and really have fallen off the genealogy bandwagon although I'm
working my way back into it. I saw the book in the Wilson Library at
UNC-Chapel Hill (quite an accomplishment) and remembered the name. Any
future projects? Sincerely, James
Nancy Brister - Picayune, Mississippi
Myrtle...
Purchased "Our Native Heath" awhile back and I just wanted to tell you how
much I've enjoyed it and learned from it. Between your book and web page
and its links, I've been more successful in my searches and learned more
than from any other source. I appreciate all the hard work you've done, I
can't imagine the hours you must've spent in research. I'm so glad I found
you! I've already loaned "Our Native Heath" to 3 different family
members......my biggest concern is that they won't want to give it back!
Thank you. Nancy Brister July 2nd, 1999
Bonnie Mitchell - Pineapple, Alabama
Thank you so much for sending the book OUR NATIVE HEATH so promptly. It
arrived yesterday and I am so glad to have it. I can hardly put it down.
It is a beautiful book; you did an outstanding job. Thanks for making
all of this valuable information available. Bonnie
May 13th, 1999
Joedy Adams - San Diego, California
Dear Myrtle, I am reading "Our Native Heath" first and
that is a lot to digest. I find many of the stories
very interesting (or accounts). I am really
enjoying it.
Very sincerely, Joedy
Dorothy Banister Wheat
Myrtle,
... Let me congratulate you on your book. I've enjoyed it very much, and
have been impressed with the amount of information you packed between
the covers. It will prove to be a great research tool for many of us. Thank you.
Sarah Howell Studstill - Tucker, Georgia:
My copy, of "Our Native Heath" was waiting on me when I got back after being gone
a week....This was like being served some scrumptious dessert!!
Many thanks for all of that research, compiled into such a readable book - I
look forward to the many times I know I will be picking it up again & again.
I'm researching maternal lines of my husb's: CAMPBELL, MORRISON, CRAVEY, BROWN
to name a few & on his paternal line, that one of McLEAN, so know I will be
turning page after page.
Thanks also for prompt shipping & wonderful packaging - it arrived in
excellent shape!
Can't wait to see the "Scattered Seed" now......
Regards,
Sarah Howell Studstill
Bill Gullickson - Alexandria, Virginia:
Dear Myrtle, Thanks for sending Our Native Heath; it's a wonderful piece of work.
... I wonder if you might know anything (or anyone else who knows) about the David
Norton household. ... Sallie Norton was born in 1829 (I think), so I was delighted to see the
lists of school children in Our Native Heath from the 1840's. I notice that
there are two school districts with a lot of Norton's in 'em, districts 16
on p. 198, and 15 on p. 199-200. I copied several pages from the 1850
Census adjacent to David Norton's entry, and then went to the lists of
school-kids. Just about everyone in David's neighborhood in the age range
that would indicate they'd be in school in 1842 appears in the list for the
Williamson District, No. 15. I can identify most of the Norton kids in
district 15 as members of four families: the Elijah/Eliza Norton and
Reuben/Elizabeth families (Census p. 538); and the Mathew/Martha and Drapy
(?) Norton households (p. 537). ... And thanks again for the great book!
John McQuaig - Dunwoody, Georgia:
Hello Myrtle, I have your book for which I am most grateful, it is a wonderful
book and I know it will serve me and my library well. You have done a tremendous
job on this. ... My progenitor, McCuaig of Machre in Islay was b.1708 and married to a
Catherine Carmichael. My Alexander McQuaig/McQuaig came in 1791 and landed in
Wilmington and went on up to Fayetteville. We believe he and his family was
on the General Washington which landed in Wilmington on 4 Nov 1791. We are
looking everywhere for that ships manifest.
Of a desperate connection we are trying to make for 40 years is to
identify the family of a Catherine who married our John McQuaig of Cumberland
County ca 1823. They sold out and moved with a large group of McRae families
to Montgomery Co GA in 1835. They were some of the founders of the
Presbyterian Church in McRae GA and was close to them for a long long time.
Clan McCrea has her listed as Catherine McRae, b.1792, dau. of John E and
Christian McLeod McRae of Anson County, who m.1790. We found them married in
Sneedsboro and their graves are in Morven, Anson County NC. We believe this
to be true but feel we must connect them somehow. ...As you see we have accomplished
much in our 40+ years of searching, but the above still eludes us. Thanks for the book, I am looking forward to your Campell book also.
John
Barbara Montgomery - Frankfort, Illinois:
Hi Myrtle,
I received your book in the mail today. I have been reading it ever
since. ... I am also grateful for the map that you enclosed. It pinpoints
where Jacob Mangum lived. I know that he is my fourth great grandfather.
It amazes me how many of my ancestors were in Richmond Co., NC at the
same time. ... The Armstrongs and the Mangum/Gibsons must have at least
run into each other there and yet it took their descendants moving to
Texas and meeting in 1885 for a marriage between them to take place.
I am enjoying your book.
Pam Hayes - Siler City, North Carolina:
Hi Myrtle,
I have your book, Our Native Heath, and have really enjoyed it. It has
several of my Camerons and I noticed your new book, 'Scattered Seed',
has another line I am researching, ... McKay of Robeson County.
I will be ordering it when it's available.
Keep up the good work!!
John D. McIntyre - Shepherd, Texas:
Hi Myrtle, ...I purchased your book and have enjoyed it immensely.
My wife loved the book and when I finally got it away from her, so did
I. Not only is it an excellent reference, it's also good reading,
giving one a feel for the people and the era we are researching. Great Job.
Harriet Grace - Americus, Georgia:
Myrtle, Received your beautiful book yesterday. It is a regular treasure trove
and I am reading every word of it. So many familiar names.
Colin E. McSween - Sanger, Texas:
I recieved my copy of Our Native Heath a couple of days ago and am well
pleased. Wish I could have had it twenty years ago, would have saved me
many miles of travel and record searching. My gggrandfather was Finlay
McSween, and I finally found his marked grave at the Old Scotch Cemetery at
Roberdel, near Rockingham. My great-grandfather was his son, Angus, who
married Mary McLean, daughter of Hugh M. McLean. ... You did an excellent
job on the book. After all my research, I can appreciate how much work
went into it.
Carolyn Clark - Cushing, Oklahoma:
I have received my copy of your book and I love it. It is so full of
information, I can hardly believe it. Thank you, thank you for all
your hard work. ... Your book is a great piece of work and I can't
believe what I have.
Betty K. Price - Mt. Gilead, North Carolina:
I have received your book and am well pleased. I appreciate the map.
Let me say honestly that I appreciate the quality of your work. Well
done. I look forward to studying the families who have gone back and
forth across the Richmond/Montgomery line, especially the Green family
of my grandchildren. Thanks again.
Rebecca Sanford - DeLand, Florida:
Today, the book came and I am delighted.... What a great book and how well
organized--I really can hardly wait to get the next one because so very many
of my ancestors lived in Cumberland and Robeson Counties. Thank you so very
much for putting such a fantastic amount of effort into it....In fact, I think
I'll just send something soon to be sure I get one of the first copies!
I guess all the housework will really suffer here in Florida until I
completely devour it. I love the book your Mother wrote, too.
What a "writin' family".
Marsha Crouch Hulsey - West Memphis, Arkansas:
Hey, Myrtle! Just put a request in the mail today for your book "Our
Native Heath". I found it in the Memphis Public Library and had to let
you know how excited I was to find so much information on my CROUCH
ancestors. It has really helped in my search! I can't wait to get my
own copy, so I can melt into it! Thanks so much for all the hard work
you put into it and I know you have made a lot of people, other than
myself, very happy searchers.
Mona C. Spears - Orange Park, Florida:
Myrtle, Received your book this afternoon, Thank you for sending
it before you were paid. I am very impressed with the quality and
most of all the hours and hours you spent compiling the records.
You did a first class job.
Peggy Kearns - Raleigh, North Carolina:
Dear Myrtle, Received you book in good order and was soooooo excited.
Having read parts in the[NC]Archives it seemed I was always in a hurry.
I can now read and study very carefully. Have found lots of good
information and told, and will tell, several fellow researchers.
Thanks, Peggy Kearns
Carol Shrader - Virginia Beach, VA:
Myrtle,
I got your book Thursday and have been absolutely fascinated with it. You
did a beautiful job. How long did it take you to complete? I have just
recently completed my DAR application for John McNair, 2nd husband of
Catherine Buie McFarland. My other lines in the area are McDonald,
McMillan, Little, Douglass, McLean (I'm sure I've probably left someone
out.) My families migrated from the NC/Chesterfield, SC area to Neshoba
County, MS, with a sojourn in Perry Co, AL. Some of the relatives settled
in Kemper Co, MS. Your information adds a touch of reality to their life.
It is so much nicer when they are more than names and tombstones. Thanks
again!
Robin Smith Szynkowski - Sun Lakes, Arizona:
Just wanted to say that I have made use of your book. Thanks for putting
that all together. My g-g-g-g-g-g-grandparents were John and Margaret
Gilchrist Smith. I have seen their son Malcomb's name in connection with
the Longstreet Church. I have found your book to be very useful in helping me with the research of my Smith family.
I have read it thru twice and each time have picked up something of the area and the people
of that time.
Carol Middleton - Birmingham, Alabama:
The book arrived!! Beautiful, Myrtle!! Wonderful!! I cannot wait to get
into it.
This book will be part of the legacy for my children and my
grandchildren to pass on to their children and grandchildren. Thank
you so much for the gift you have given our family.
Angie Rayfield - Olathe, Kansas:
I'm still working my way through the book! I decided
it was way too interesting to cheat by just looking up family names in the
index, and I'm just having a blast. I just wish I had time to sit down and
do nothing but read.
Debbie Brigman - Vass, North Carolina:
What a delightful collection of history! I have been absolutely
worthless since the mail arrived yesterday. I may be able to
recite the index by Sunday! As a newcomer to genealogy, your
book is providing me with a wonderful over view of the records
available, a new-found interest in the history of the times, and
especially unknown paths to my family. My gr-grandmother,
Eliza Roler, has been a mystery and the few remaining family
members don't remember anything about her family. I had been
unable to even locate the family name before receiving your
book. I now have many new leads to follow-up on the ROLER,
PARHAM, BRIGMAN, and McFADYEN kin! My "real" job is certainly
getting in the way of my new addiction! Thanks for such a
wonderful resource!
John Ussery - Mount Joy, Pennsylvania:
First let me compliment on your fine work on Our Native Heath. I had
indicated to you that I had bought the book because of my intrest in the
USSERY surname. I got a bonus that I had not expected when I found my
Great-Great-Grandfather Jacob LAMPLEY and his son Benjamin Lampley also
in your book. I was aware that they had lived in Anson County at one
time and later some of the family shows up in Stanley County, but I was
not aware that they had been in Richmond County.
Sandy Corkern - Baker, Louisana:
Just wanted to let you know that I received my book last week.
I have
glanced over your book and it is wonderful so far. I see a lot of
McFARLANDS in there and I'm really going to take time this week to go over it
very closely. It sure was a lot of work putting this together and I'll never
be able to thank you enough.
Carla Hillman Ratcliff - Dallas, Texas:
My book came in today's mail!! Thanks!!! I am enjoying the reading. I am
still excited to have this wonderful break through in my research of my
WALLACE line. I have been at a long standstill with my WALLACES in
NC with no place to look. Mahala Ann Wallace is my great great
grandmother. Thanks so much
. I LOVE IT!!!! All the articles are wonderful!!!
I believe with certainty that I have found my Clan of WALLACES.
I am so very
grateful for your help. I have spent many hours-even today
looking through what Dallas has for Richmond and surrounding
counties-nothing. Once again - THANKS !! THANKS!!! for all your wonderful
help!!
Ray & Mary Wallace - Santa Ana, California:
IT IS WONDERFUL that you have organized & shared with all, these great
documents found in your search for your ancestors.
Thanks to you my
husband now has three female descendants of the WALLACE family helping
in this search! We are all so excited to have help & support!!
Everyone
with ROOTS in Richmond Co., should have a copy in their library!
Thanks again, for all your help & for publishing so many hours of your
research in book form, which benefits other researchers.
Karen Groce - Starkville, Mississippi:
Howard and Myrtle, you are a Godsend!! Bless you, Bless you, Bless you!
Thank you so much. I am not believing this. You have given me two
generations back!!! I am beside myself right now. This is so wonderful!
...It's really good, Myrtle. You did an excellent job
of collecting info and compiling it. Thank you so much. I can't tell
you how much the info on my GREENS means to me.
Ann McWhirter - Columbus, Georgia:
... Your book is wonderful. You have done a superior job with your
camera-ready manuscript. I have done much camera-ready
material on a volunteer basis and can appreciate the time
and effort that go into preparation. You should be very proud
of your work. If you ever do any other books which have GIBSONS
involved, please let me know.
Sharon Spillman - Pacifica, California
Hello Myrtle,
Purchased a copy of your first book, 'Our Native Heath - Richmond County North
Carolina 1779-1899.' Enjoy it very much. ... Thank you for your time and efforts
in contributing to the discovery of our ancestors.
Sincerely,
Sharon Spillman
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