Even though this preface is at the beginning of this book, it was written during the closing stage. Sitting here this evening, alone in a quiet home, with the lights turned down low and the snow swirling outside, thoughts reflect back to how wonderful this experience has been. memories of each of you flood back, the contributions you have made, the fun we have had on the telephone as you reflected upon times past, as well as the insights you have given, that would not ever have been known if we hadn't talked.

As this book was put together, we began to know and understand the trials and successes of Grandmother and Grandfather South, and the responsibilities of all our beloved Aunts and Uncles. Each has an important story to share, about their wonderful humor, their challenges, determination, and the sacrifices that mold them into being like the special steel that has gone through the furnace of tribulations, to be hardened and molded into survivorship.

We soon began to realize that the South Cousins also inherited our parent's ability to turn a setback into a challenge, to rise above adversity with humor and perseverance. Our coat of arms should be a Band-Aid under a great big smile, with a diploma tassel to the side.

We were extremely fortunate to have had many good experiences that came from compiling this book, however, the best experience was the pleasure of getting to know you better. This has been fun.

Our original intent was to have all the cousins fill out a questionnaire that we would copy and hand out at the next New Year's Day family reunion. Then we thought about all our cousins that live far away, and those that are unable to attend. I thought this capsule might bring them all a little closer, if only in spirit. Then we really started to think (which is very dangerous for this group) that maybe we should include a short blip about our parents, so we could see their lives. Then we thought we surely should have something about Grandma and Grandpa South to start this project. This is how it turned out, with the hopes that all of you will continue to keep journals and write about each familiy member for our posterity.

Some things you need to consider. Not all pictures were used, due to limitations, and some copyright problems. In the large group photos, you will see a name and number. That number represents the family to which this person belongs. For example, "Karen 1" means this girl came from VaLois Chipman; "Tom 2" is the offspring of Blanch Fox; "Grant 3" is of the lineage of Ruth; "Frank 4" is William's boy; "Kent 5" is Taylor's son; "VaLois 6" is Ed's kid.

Also, some of the stories, letters, notes, and other family interaction submitted was not included in this work. We apologize that some of our parent's histories were cut down in order to make the book concise.

We suggest that you take the time to read these histories in their entierty, as they give us insight as to the paths traveled before we came into being.

We apologize for any errors that may have been made in this manuscript.

We love each of you, and want to thank you for your help and contributions. We were excited as each questionnaire arrived in the mail. The first one received was from Matt Chipman, followed the next day by Tom Fox and Kent South, with the rest filtering in until the end of August.

Our decision was to put each questionnaire in as it was written. The work you submitted was entered as it was written.

We want to thank all family members that worked to make this manuscript possible. We especially want to make a note of appreciation to these fine people:

Joyce (2), fielded many questions and told us where to go...to find the answers, that is. Jean (3), and Matt (1), supplied life histories and miscellaneous tidbits of information. (Some to be printed in the forthcoming blackmail best seller.) Mary Jane (4), provided photos and histories that added greatly to this manuscript. Sarah (3), contributed a lot of family mug shots, but most outstanding was her sacrifice during her birthday (and the Christmas shopping season) to edit and correct the writings of the committee. (To those of you that never saw these heiroglyphics, it was a big job.) Ed Fox went out and bought a new cellular phone so he could be available to set the committee straight. A real value was having Tanya South asking each day if there was more information to be typed. During the months of November and December the committee was sidelined with health challenges. Shauna came to the rescue and the project was completed. Of course, a big thank you goes out to Uncle Ed and Aunt Marjorie, who spent most of their retirement dollars getting the pictures copied and the book printed so that we could enjoy these histories. Zayne Stewart (6) provided financing in order to mail copies to all who were unable to attend this year's reunion.

We recommend you also read the manuscript, "William W. Taylor and Sarah H. Taylor: A Short History," compiled by Linnie Taylor Marchant Findlay. She contributed suggestions and advice to help make this a better book.

Our biggest, most heartfelt thanks go to all of you, as this book would be nothing without your help and contributions.

1996 South Reunion Committee