It was early in 2001 that this writer began as a novice to put together what you find in these links that which is now is known as "The Craig Fleming Family Tree."
Even yet a novice the author has found that early mistakes are extremely difficult to correct. This on its face may not seem so griev-ous to one. However, as you will see, the author's error of using the Family Tree Maker Software to construct a family tree including correspondence and personal notes has become an embarrassing difficulty in so many respects.
First, the author wants the viewer and family member to know, it was not the intent in placing contact records in the program so as to publish them. For this error one supposes there will never be forgiveness. It is the author's purpose here to request forgiveness from anyone that may be offended by this grievous error.
Second: the author's reason for placing all correspondence and notes in the database was to order a way that one could keep the information available as we all researched together. By going to a name, or doing a word search, the author was able to bring up all the correspondence, notes, facts pages, E-mail notes pages, etc., review, reconstruct and improve the data. So much personal data having previously been published on-line has made continued contact with some nearly impossible. Many will not answer inquiries simply, it is feared, because they no longer wish to have E-mails published along with the Family Group Sheets, Ahnentafel Reports or Books of the Craig family records. One hundred or so years from now it won't make a lot of difference. Generations from now our kin will feel gratified that these "now-embarrassing" seemingly in-significant bits of information are available perpetually for them to find and ponder. It is supposed that some of the raw data will cause a whisper of a smile in their hearts.
Third: after many apprehensions and careful consideration, and great effort to find some way of cleaning up the text, the author has decided that nearly five years of effort needs preservation. There is so much material and data included in this data causing it to be impossible to get it burned into one CD. The only other way to preserve this data is through Genealogy On-line WEB systems where it will stand as long as there is a WWW.
Lastly: the author shall never forget the day in 2002 when a copy of Gertrude Clawson's "Craig History Book of Pi On The Floor" was received by mail. Irreplaceable material. along with other valuable fascinating notes and data that had long ago been placed in a box and put away. Because of our efforts, one saw an opportunity to get in into the record. Previously we simply had no access to these valuable items of interest.
So, again, without going on and on, this author simply asks again, if indeed anyone is upset because of all that is contained in these records, you have my eternal apologies and regrets. If there was any way it could all be edited out it would be done. In that there seems to be no way to "clean-it-up" we shall have to find a way to see the good of it all and accept it, or wipe it out of our minds and not look at it.
Regards,
Robert Blair Craig
January 4, 2006
DEDICATION
In preparing these pages one individual kept coming to the forefront of the author's mind. Robert LeRoy Craig meant more than just a father. He was so much more than this writer shall ever become -- until that day we meet again in Glory. So all that is contained herein is in remembrance of him.
And, the love and patience of this writer's gracious wife, Glenda Ann CARAWAY Craig.
