Parish Clerks About a week ago I was honorably released after 8 years of service as parish clerk in my LDS ward. I can't help but think of the parish clerks of many faiths who kept the records that have been so helpful to me in my own family history research. I feel a sense of brotherhood with them, and gratitude for their efforts.

As I sit at my computer today, I have just gotten off a telephone call from Michigan. I get to talk to the nicest people as I serve in FamilySearch Support. Some of them have difficult family history technology questions and some are as simple as a forgotten password. I never know what the next call will bring. I like it that way. My switchboard software shows me as "Available", which means that my telephone can ring any moment. Things are rather slow this week, as people tend to be concentrating on preparations for Christmas. Even so, I have taken calls from Australia, New Zealand, and various locations in North America. There is a wonderful flow of good wishes for Christmas and the new year from family, friends, and genealogical contacts. One of the latter may have given me a new set of 3g-grandparents. I have believed for about 2 years that Robert Ing and Rose Richardson of Chesham, Buckinghamshire, England were the parents of my ancestor Robert Ing. Yesterday I saw a posting by Paul Hing that lists them as such. I have asked him for the source of his info. I hope he has some additional evidence. Best wishes to all for a wonderful Christmas and a "Great 2008"! Bill

The American Thanksgiving gave me a 2-day break from my usual responsibilities at FamilySearch Support. I used the time to create a Watson Family Tree 2007 book, patterned after the Buchanan Family Tree 2007 e-book which I created early in November. I will probably revise the BFT2007, as I have received some corrections and updates since I made it available. Vera Ash gave me about 50 more people in the William John Ash and Mary Buchanan line. I sent out Christmas greetings and have received some nice replies. Merry Christmas everyone, and wishes for a wonderful new year.