It is a pleasure once more to present another issue of our international newsletter. As before, we are posting new information as it is received and processed. So keep visiting and checking for changes as new articles are added until the end of October 2003, perhaps a bit longer. We must be doing something right - very soon we will reach the 20,000-reader mark since presenting our first issue in July 1997. And, as for Issue 4, we'll keep this website alive via Issue 5 for another two years. I believe all of our readers, contributors and production crew have been satisfied, if not surprised, by the calibre and extent of the information presented. It seems to improve with each issue. Yes, I am very proud of the depth of information in our UK Section. I'm convinced now that we will be able to link many of the English DEBOO lines of special interest back to the pioneer land drainers at Sandtoft. That’s over 375 years of English family history, folks! There's even a good chance we will locate a descendant of one of those earlier Flemish weavers at London and Norwich. But will we ever connect any of the English families back to Belgium, perhaps to Moere and Koekelare in Flanders? I think we will. We have a nice, warm and friendly USA Section in this issue. Again, we have contributions from our American namesakes with direct links to Belgium and to England. In the Australia Section, we learn of project plans for the future and more of the rough and tumble history of the past. And how about those children featured this time - have a look here and there and I'm sure you'll agree the famous DEBOO sparkle is showing. While we're low in input from a couple of corners of the globe in this Issue, I must say I've had only one major disappointment: India. Finally, after years of failure, I made contact with one of our Indian namesakes living in the USA. We've had some good correspondence, but, once again, I have failed to coax out any solid information. Overall, Issue No. 5 has been well worthwhile. It is especially satisfying personally, and it is a natural follow-up to another tour of those fabulous East Anglian Fens with some good English friends last summer. However, I must confess to the feeling that I might be 'running out of gas.' Age could be a factor now. Perhaps it is time soon to try something else. So I ask now: Is their anyone out there willing to take the reins or to share the load? Let me know, eh. Veel leesplezier, good reading et bien à vous. -RFD |
