A message form Tom:
would like researchers on RootsChat to know just how much I appreciate their kindness in contacting me with their queries and concern about my health. I believe that I have answered their queries with quite a bit of detail, and I loved every minute of it. It was particulary nice to hear from "Sancti" - my word, it seems a long time ago since we exchanged such a lot of friendly banter. I do occasionally look at the problems that people are experiencing with their Fife Family History and would say that I have added quite a lot to my original files using new tools that I've been working on over the years.
Let me say how decent it is of you to take the trouble to pass on RootsChat queries to me, (Diddy) . I look back to a couple of years ago and have to admit how impressed I was with the team spirit that various people, such as Monica, Sancti, Gadget and yourself displayed. I was very proud to be part of that little team and often wonder just how much could have been achieved.
Last, but by no means least, I believe that the Moderators deserve a mention too. They have a pretty tough job in maintaining what is a truly exceptional site. A couple of years ago they noted that my style of writing was rather unconventional, but that didn't really matter. However, I resolved that I would moderate it in a way that would meet their approval and started to prepare my Home Office in such a way that I could more readily access the information that I have accumulated over a period of time. Now, having been born in Fife and having spent my childhood their, many of the families that I write about are connected and many of them, like me, emigrated from Scotland. I take a great deal of pleasure in tracking these families all over North America, Australia and New Zealand and never cease to be amazed at how they played a significant role in establishing communities in these countries. I think that the Moderators would know that I steered clear of religion and politics in my original postings and I did that quite deliberately. However, I see no harm whatsoever in pointing out that many coalminers from Fife and the surrounding counties converted to the Church of Latter Day Saints and contributed to the raising of some wonderful buildings in places like Salt Lake City, Utah. The stories about those early pioneers really fascinate me as do the success of those people who sailed from Scotland to here in Australia and across the Tasman Sea in New Zealand.
As always, I extend my very best wishes to all those decent people on RootsChat, and thank them, most sincerely for their support
Tom.
