I recently retired and like most people, didn't seriously consider my roots until I considered my children and grandchildren. With each passing generation the curtain of obscurity grows denser, hiding our view from those molding and shaping who we are. I recall my father and grandfather telling me stories about events, now, rolled-up in time. Oh! how I wish I had listened and seized each word.

Now I must spend countless hours to bring into view what two passing generations have hid from me. I have been inspired much by two of my new-found cousins and how they have sacrificed their free time to illuminate the paths of information back toward our roots. Jason in Alabama and Kathy in California, both being rooted-in, here in Western Tennessee, portray a vivid picture of how far-reaching our branches can grow.

When I am hunting and moving through the forests on a windy day, I always pay particular attention to spot trees with no small branches. Leaves, fruit, and strength are indicated by the smallest branches so I may walk upwind to avoid injury from the natural casting of a dying past.

We are the, now living, generation and must give all we can to preserve a corridor through the maze of humanity back to the nativity of our lineage. All the records we have to guide us along were preserved because some of our ancestors gave of themselves, time to write it down! Even with optimum results we shall never see the vector of the original two of us all!

I am two weeks old in the world of this research and need help from as many of you as will. I am a Dyer County Tennessee Reeves. My dad and I were born on Gum Flat Road near Menglewood Tennessee. I'm not lazy but stalled and silly in this endeavor. The photo is my grandfather, Samuel Wesley Reeves. His wife was Emma (Smith) Reeves. Born 1876, Died 1954 all in Dyer County Tennessee. My most recent information indicates we (this Reeves Branch) start in SC and surfaced again in Obion County Tennessee.

I recently retired and like most people, didn't seriously consider my roots until I considered my children and grandchildren. With each passing generation the curtain of obscurity grows denser, hiding our view from those molding and shaping who we are. I recall my father and grandfather telling me stories about events, now, rolled-up in time. Oh! how I wish I had listened and seized each word.

Now I must spend countless hours to bring into view what two passing generations have hid from me. I have been inspired much by two of my new-found cousins and how they have sacrificed their free time to illuminate the paths of information back toward our roots. Jason in Alabama and Kathy in California, both being rooted-in, here in Western Tennessee, portray a vivid picture of how far-reaching our branches can grow.

When I am hunting and moving through the forests on a windy day, I always pay particular attention to spot trees with no small branches. Leaves, fruit, and strength are indicated by the smallest branches so I may walk upwind to avoid injury from the natural casting of a dying past.

We are the, now living, generation and must give all we can to preserve a corridor through the maze of humanity back to the nativity of our lineage. All the records we have to guide us along were preserved because some of our ancestors gave of themselves, time to write it down! Even with optimum results we shall never see the vector of the original two of us all!

I am two weeks old in the world of this research and need help from as many of you as will. I am a Dyer County Tennessee Reeves. My dad and I were born on Gum Flat Road near Menglewood Tennessee. I'm not lazy but stalled and silly in this endeavor. The photo is my grandfather, Samuel Wesley Reeves. His wife was Emma (Smith) Reeves. Born 1876, Died 1954 all in Dyer County Tennessee. My most recent information indicates we (this Reeves Branch) start in SC and surfaced again in Obion County Tennessee.