Dunham Dispatch

Revision as of 12:58, 19 August 2012

Phyllis S. Kitson single-handedly prepared, edited and published Dunham Dispatch from 1977 - 1999. Because her materials may have research value for others undertaking Dunham-related research, she has allowed us to present the material on this site. Some of the initial issues are not in the exact format she published but the text is retained. On some pages there were problems with the materials being copied. Where the exact text could not be determined, it has been highlighted in red and enclosed in brackets [ ]. The photographs which appear have been copied from her issues. After the first few issues it was possible to scan the pages and create portable document formatted (pdf) pages. Some of the pages, although readable, may be replaced later as better copies of the originals are found.

Phyllis has prepared the following short introduction.

Phyllis on Phyllis

As a retired teacher & school counselor, I've been deeply interested in genealogy for many years. Of some 130 pedigree charts, I was able to fill out completely (with all 31 names, dates, etc.) only three of them. My hobby (which is actually more of a life-work) really got going when I switched gears & started looking, rather than for ancestors, for all descendants of varius couples among my Colonial ancestors.

I have been blessed with more recent ancestors who were savers of paper: documents of all types, many-many old photographs, & skillions of old, old letters (dating back to the 1790's). These things gave me a great head start on my quest for distant cousins all over the country, many of them people who had more family memorabilia that they shared with me---so that "vast" can't really describe my collection of historical family documents.

I became a family newsletter "junkie," turning out 6 or 7 different newsletters, several of which publications were very successful in terms of adding further to my knowledge of family lines.

Now that my health & mobility have largely deserted me, I greatly miss the ability to put together these newsletters, but I have a wonderful family who take excellent care of me: a daughter (a lawyer living in Ohio) & 2 sons (still nearby) & 4 grandsons. This allows me to maintain my own home, which I share with an autocratic little dog who is coddled & spoiled & much loved--rather like the lucky woman who owns her.

Phyllis S. Kitson

We appreciate Phyllis's willingness and assistance in preserving these materials. This page is linked to an index page of the issues.