The family saga is made up of an accumulation of separate family legends. These are the stories of the old folks and the old times that are told among the family when they gather for funerals or Thanksgiving dinner. These are the "remember-when" stories the family tells about the time when the grownups were children.

Although the seven of us have dispersed across the country in our adult lives, we still get together occasionally for family reunions. When we do, the conversation often turns to stories beginning with, Do you remember when. One day we decided that some of these stories should be written down, especially since some of the most cherished stories dealt with our grandparents. We were afraid that these older stories would become lost in the mists of time, and we were aware that our more recent stories would someday be old stories to our children and grandchildren. Thus was born the idea of this book. We have all contributed remembrances to this little volume and we hope that our children will be able to know more about where their parents came from. Compiling this book has been one more enjoyable and unifying activity for a family that continues to cherish each other.

Updated Full Color Edition. Volume One includes the surnames: Coon, Kauffman/Coffman, Kneissle, Lovell, Markham, Marshall, Meals, Power, and Williams. Far from being a dull list of "begats," these volumes are a lively romp through history, highlighting both the good and the not-so-good discovered about the family surnames that make up this truly American family. The author, through careful observation and analysis, debunks misconceptions found in previous research by others and exposes the fallacies circulating on the internet. She has also been able to confirm unsubstantiated stories with documentation or by the gathering of a "preponderance of evidence." Y-DNA evidence has been introduced to trace the deep ethnic origin of the surname lines. Ms. Boyett highlights her specialty in adding valuable historical context that makes the stories come alive for the reader. Written in an easy, conversational style and infused with subtle humor, these volumes are a pleasure to read, all the while providing the reader with documented, factual information. Some of the characters you will encounter in these volumes include: a real-live Pirate of the Caribbean; a family friend, President George Washington; a man accused of high treason; a knight who invaded with William the Conqueror; those who perished in a Shawnee raid in the wilderness of Virginia; a family with an ancient Y-DNA signature; a mother lost on a wagon train journey; a Civil War POW; a Lord Mayor of London; a family stripped of their citizenship and deported; a man gunned down by a deputy Sheriff; a Tudor loan shark who had men afraid to come to London; the victim of a frontier lynching; the man who "shot it out" in Arizona against an Earp brother; early settlers in the Republic of Texas; a Confederate spy; and royal connections back to Charlemagne. These stories and many more make up the sweeping saga of a truly American family. Enjoy the journey!

A Jamaican Family’s Saga By: Leonard Archie Wilson A Jamaican Family’s Saga is a sprawling adventure, spanning almost one hundred years and crosses the Atlantic Ocean twice. It details the true life of a Jamaican family, and a murder mystery that haunts the family – until Argyle, the second son of Ulrica and Leopold Steele, dives head first into delving into this mystery, with a surprise awaiting him and his wife in Cuba.

Enjoy the entire Ironwood Plantation Family Saga in one complete set. Book One: The Whistle Walk In a time where unity seems impossible, two women will forge a friendship in the fires of redemption and thrust Ironwood into a new future—where the battle for freedom has merely begun. Stolen from her home and forced into the disgrace of being sold, Ruth refuses to let go of the faith that holds her heart together. Determined to survive in her new role at Ironwood, Ruth never expects to find any common ground with the plantation owner’s wife. But when God keeps nudging her to speak up for her race and forge an unlikely friendship, she makes a dangerous choice that could cost more than she’s ready to give. Bride to a man she barely knows and bound by her secrets, Lydia is struggling to step into her new title as the mistress of Ironwood. Inspired by the fiery spirit and quiet dignity of an enslaved woman, Lydia’s eyes begin to open to the harsh realities of the world around her. But if there is ever going to be a new future for Ironwood, she will have to start with shedding her own pretenses. Book Two: Heir of Hope Emily Burns grew up an orphan, so she never expected to inherit a southern plantation. When she discovers an old diary hidden in the attic, her life becomes strangely entwined with her Civil War ancestor and she soon begins to wonder how a woman long dead can keep showing up in her dreams. Torn between her strange desire to honor Lydia's wishes and practicality, Emily cannot decide if she will keep Ironwood. Yet the house calls to her like a melancholy siren, and Emily cannot resist its tune. Resolving to stay only for a little while, and telling herself her decision has nothing at all to do with the handsome handyman helping with restorations, Emily begins to unravel the history of Ironwood – A tale of love and loss, hope and redemption. When the story seeps into her heart, Emily finds that two women separated by centuries can share the unique bonds of family ties, and that both her past and her future reside in the soul of Ironwood. ★ Note to reader: Because of the stand-alone nature of The Whistle Walk and Heir of Hope, please note there will be some redundancy in the chapters containing Lydia's diary for the box set reader. Book Three: Missing Mercy The venture ahead could leave their friendship behind. Made a safe-haven after the Civil War, Ironwood Plantation is a refuge of equality for the formerly enslaved. But twenty years and a new generation later, they have become an isolated community with little contact with the rest of the world. Mercy Carpenter is everything the world thinks she shouldn’t be. Educated and adventurous, she longs to make a life for herself beyond the beautiful prison of Ironwood. When she secretly submits an article to the Boston Globe under a man’s name and receives an enthusiastic response and an offer for employment, she’s determined to take advantage of the opportunity. But she isn’t prepared for a startling world that won’t accept her color or her gender, and her ambitions soon land her in grave danger. The privileged daughter of a plantation owner and an aspiring suffragette, Faith Harper is determined not to marry. Especially not her father’s opportunistic new business partner. She doesn’t want any man telling her what to do, least of all the annoyingly chivalrous Nolan Watson. But when Mercy goes missing, Faith will do anything to find her best friend, even if it means trusting a man she doesn’t understand. In a time where prejudices try to define them, Mercy and Faith must push the boundaries of their beliefs and trust in the God who holds the keys to freedom.