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| Update: the free Family Tree publication has now gone to an on-line edition only. You can see it at-- http://www.electricscotland.com/familytree/index.htm Beth Gay is a sweetheart. She was also the editor and life blood of "The Family Tree" which is the largest circulated in print genealogy publication in the world. Started in 1990 with little or nothing, and now up to 80,000 subscribers, The Family Tree continues to be sent out bi-monthly. This down-to-earth newsletter has a Scottish flair because of its connection to the Ellen Payne Odom Genealogy Library in Moultrie, GA, but there is always plenty of great genealogy information for everyone. Here is a behind the scenes interview with this wonderful inspiration of a woman: ROBERT: Beth, before we jump into the genealogy, I want the Treasure Maps readers to know something about you that makes me smile every time I think about it. Both of us have lost a lot of weight--you have done the best, though--and we have talked about it on several occasions. The last time I saw you at a conference we spoke together at, you had just "melted away." So I am hoping you will answers these questions: How much have you lost so far? How did you do it? And finally, the one that makes me love you most--If someone happened to spot you exercising in Moultrie, Georgia, what would they see? BETH: Well, my friend Robert, I've lost 60 pounds and there isn't an easy way to lose weight. I spent too much time sitting at the computer! But, I - on the advice (It was stronger than advice. It was, "Beth, if you want to live awhile, you will lose weight and exercise." So, since I have yelled at my husband, who is diabetic, for years about "doing what the doctor says," I was at a place where I had to do what my doctor told me. I limited my calories to 1000 a day and I started exercising. Since my time is pretty limited, I do the "Geezette Lope" down Greene Dairy Road 2 miles in the morning and 2 miles at night. I listen to books on tape while I do this... and carry both a little red flashing light (a tail light, if you wish) and a flashlight. So that you won't think I'm completely without care, and since sometimes I run at night (tonight I ran from 9:15 til about 10 PM) and it's a very lonely and dark country road...I just went to the sheriff's department and got my gun permit and "pack" my pistola when I run. (Nobody will bother me...I'm NOT afraid...but I am terrified of fishing worms and if a snake got after me, I would probably shoot my own toes off...but I feel safer with the little gun.) ROBERT: You are the creator and editor of "The Family Tree" that has grown into the largest circulated in-print genealogy publication around. Can you tell us the story behind that? BETH: Before I worked for the library, I worked in radio. Each morning I would call Melody Jenkins, now my boss...and we would talk about what we would do with the Odom Library. (I was a Library Board Trustee at that time.) I well remember the morning I said, "Melody, we ought to have a little paper... so we can tell the people who have been to the library all about what's happening here." I don't know if I would have been brave enough to start it, had I only known how hard it would be...but it is also a labor of love. The first issue of TFT (The Family Tree) we ran about 2000 copies...but we only had about 500 people on the mailing list (everyone who had ever darkened the door of the old Georgia Room at the library in Moultrie, a few cousins and kith and kin and even a few dogs and cats such as "Narra The Wonder Cat Gay"). I had an old beat up word processor and had never even touched a computer. I'd have to type the information on the word processor and then take it to the copy machine and shrink it some. Then, with a single edge razor blade as my "graphic design department," I'd glue it all down. You will see, if you look closely, a few real blood splatters on those first ones! I was so very proud of those papers...and now cringe if anyone shows me a copy. But, we did the best we could with what we had...which wasn't much. Our headlines were made on a label making machine (you know the kind that spits out little plastic tape) or I just did calligraphy by hand. It was pretty basic. ROBERT: How did you feel about family history when you were a child and did you ever think that you would wind up being the editor of a popular genealogy publication? BETH: I loved hearing family stories from my Grandmother when I was a tadpole. I asked question after question after question...and my Grandmother didn't really know very much, but she told me everything she did know. I would give most anything to be able to have an hour with her now...as I've learned so much that she would love to know. ROBERT: Do you have any suggestions that will help us get our children interested and involved with genealogy? BETH: I'm certainly not an expert in this area...but reading to children and telling them stories...taking them places where the family used to live...even serving family recipes or looking at family picture albums...Anything, to bring the ancestors of the family to their attention. Most every child enjoys stories. That's what hooked me. ROBERT: There has been an amazing boost to genealogy in the past five years because of the Internet and technological advances. Can you give us your predictions for what you see happening in the next five year? BETH: I'm surely not an expert here either...I just try to keep the deadline monsters away and work on TFT in my sleep. I do think that the interest on genealogy is going to do nothing but grow. The technological advances make it easier to save, publish, sometimes find, information. DNA will play a big part in the genealogy of the future. I volunteer to be a guinea pig for this! It's absolutely fascinating that our genetic makeup doesn't care if Sherman burned the courthouse! We're what we are because of all the people that made us...and DNA studies can open doors that have previously been not only closed, but bolted and fortified! ROBERT: What have you found to be the most common problems people are having with their genealogy research in these modern times? BETH: Lots of people think they can a) come into the library and in a few minutes, know their families back to Adam; b) think they can find their entire, perfect and complete family history somewhere on "the Internet." Ain't neither one of those so! (I know not to use "ain't," but sometimes it says what you wanna say!) ROBERT: You do genealogy newsletter contests every year in TFT. Would you mind commenting about that and sharing a few tips for those that might like to start their own newsletters? BETH: Neatness DOES count. You can do a fantastic newsletter with a typewriter...or even hand written...if you are neat and if you pay attention to the rules of grammar, spelling and design. We are surrounded today by marvelous examples of good page design. Just look at the way your favorite magazine or newspaper is presented... The secret of The Family Tree and every other publication I've ever worked on? People LOVE to see their own names in print. If you do a publication for any group, be sure to find ways to mention LOTS of people. I can go on for days, weeks, months, years about newsletter/magazine/newspaper design and production and writing. Invite me somewhere to do a seminar...they're fun! ROBERT: You've been involved with genealogy for a long time and spend incredibly long hours with TFT, what keeps you going? BETH: That's a hard one, Robert. It's the response from the readers...the response from the Scottish community and the genealogical community...and all of the other ethnicities featured in the little paper. It's the incredible generosity of all of our readers who care enough to support TFT...It's the kindness and concern of the readers. This may sound hokey...but, it is absolutely true. My dream is to find a way so I don't have to worry about whether or not there will be enough money - and it takes close to $200,000 a year - to print and mail the next paper. If that were to happen, I probably would NEVER stop doing it... Here's the contact information for the EPO Genealogy Library. Back to Treasure Maps Genealogy Site.
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