PUBLISHERS'   NOTE.

THE publishers desire to make acknowledgment to the rep¬
resentatives of the families whose records are given in
these volumes,for the valuable co-operation extended in
the work of collecting information for the text and material for the
illustrations. Through the courtesy of these representatives,
the publishers are able to present a record of family history
which is not only distinctively interesting in itself, but which
constitutes an important contribution to the history of the com¬
munity.

The illustrations secured are attractive in themselves, while
they have the special value of being in the full sense of the term
authoritative. Many of them have never before come into print.
It is to be regretted that the series is not entirely complete. It
proved to be impracticable, although during a term of twelve
months or more every possible effort was made, to secure for
three or four of the families in the series trustworthy originals for
portraits or for other illustrations such as are presented for the
remaining families.

It will be understood that on the ground of the historical
character of the work, it has been thought advisable to restrict
the subjects selected for portraiture to persons no longer living.