In early January, 1986 my interest in the Civil War progressed to the point that I thought about trying to find out if any of my Masters kin served for the Confederacy.  The only thing that was known about my family was from notes from my grandmother which indicated that my great grandfather's name was Jim Masters.  A few months later we discovered that my Jim Masters was actually James B. Masters and the world begin to open up.

A little over three years later the Masters Family History 1691 - 1989 was published.

In 1990 the Fitzpatrick Family History was completed which is Mary Betty's maiden name.

Our last book, Smith, Bowers, Hull & Beaty Family History was published in late 1991.  These are the four lines of my grandmother, Addie Lenoa Smith Masters.

After publication of these books and more recently retirement, more time was available for my main interest ..... the Civil War and Pioneer History.  The best part of this hobby is taking this information a little farther and determine where actual camping sites were located.  I then many times confirm this data with my metal detector which is another hobby I can practice most of the winter months.

Anyway, all of this information is here for you and your family to enjoy.  My primary job in all of this work to assemble the work of hundreds of family researchers.  Perhaps one day we will learn for sure who our Masters immigrant was . . . with the internet resources today that certainly seems very likely.