In writing the general history of this book, we used the earliest sources or information available (some of which have been made available to the public in recent years) and believe it to be the most accurate thus far written.  Some general histories, especially school histories, have been written from available information ... we have done much research. but due to the shortness of time and lack of researchers, we have used what is available.  If some of the histories are incomplete. this is the reason.

     It is difficult to write a county history and stay strictly within that county's boundaries.  People, it seems. as with nature, do not tend to observe those boundaries that a legislature has determined.  Not only do we find people owning land on both sides or a county line, or moving back and forth across a line, but even entire towns moving across a county line.

     The major portion of this book is made up of family stories.  Most of these histories were written by family members ... but some were written by members of the book committee to help tie together families.  To help you find the information that you are looking for, we have tried to cross reference family stories.  We have also worked up as concise an index as is possible, by last name, to help you locate families that you want information on.  To get the most out of this book, please use the index.

     Not all family stories appear exactly as they were originally written.  Due to the number of stories that were received, some were condensed; some were edited for repetition of information; and many were reorganized for more understandable reading.  We have tried not to delete any information that had valid historical significance.  The information that was edited from the stories will be placed in file with the version used in the book in the archive section of the Coleman Public Library.

     If some disagree with the material submitted, they must realize that individuals submitted these stories from records and memories of their past.  You may see the "the first ... or the only" in family stories, which were thought to be correct, but were in error, due to lack of knowledge of the entire county.  We have tried to verify information that is directly connected with the formation and early history of Coleman County; errors and discrepancies are regretted; however, because of the variety of contributors of material, neither the Coleman County Historical Commission nor any individuals associated with the compilation and publication of this volume can be responsible for the content of each individually authored story.  All contributors have been given credit for the material submitted.

     No limit was placed on the length of stories or number of photographs, but the right was reserved by the editors to shorten the stories, however necessary.  We also invited anyone that had ever lived in the county to submit a history, asking that it be confined primarily to the time that the family lived here.  Because of our lack of limitations, many histories were received, and what was anticipated to be a 400 page book quickly became more than 1000 pages.

     There will be a time lapse for many of you, in this publication, because over a year has passed from the date the material was received until the time the actual printing took place.  Some persons listed as living may now be deceased.  Please realize that anytime a work of this nature is written, there is no way that the most up-to-date information can be used because of this lag in gathering information, publishing it, and the death of our loved ones and the birth of our children.

     It has been our intent to present a book that will add to the history of the county, to make a record of many families within the county, that might not have been written otherwise, and to present a wealth of information that can be enjoyed by us and our future generations.

     We found very quickly that working up (coordinating, etc.) a history of this type cannot be done on a part time basis.  It is an eating, sleeping, and living history project.  Even though many wanted to help, they found that it takes a special sort of talent, dedication and commitment to edit and sort family history and genealogy.  As it worked out, three of us did most of the work in editing and rewriting the book.  Additional proofreading and typing was done by Maurine Burroughs, Sarah Gardner, Anita Tomlinson, Nan Markland, Doris Williams, Leona Bruce and Edith Hollinger.  We have worked on the book since March 1983, day and night, and have also taken time to make a living.  We have enjoyed it, but it did take a big hunk out of our lives.  We hope that it will meet your expectations and will serve a purpose in showing the future generations our pasts.

     As with any publication of this type, errors will creep in.  We hope that we have kept these to a minimum through our constant rechecking and comparing with the stories that were sent to us.  One final note: all photos were identified from left to right, unless otherwise noted in the caption.