ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The creation of this Schaffer book has been an exciting event in my life! And the first person I wish to thank is my wife, Doris, who has been so patient and understanding as I spent hundreds,of hours at the computer keyboard to create this Schaffer book and the literally thousands of hours that I spent to create my family file of over 63,000 people. I retired from a full time job to retirement and my hobby, genealogy. I have kept busy, at times spending 35 to 40 hours per week at the computer. I don't regret the time spent as it has been a labor of love.
In 1996 I published a book on my wife's family, the Waltermires, WALTERMIRE FAMILY TREE, THE DESCENDANTS OF GEORGE (JURY) WALDENMEYER, EMIGRANT TO AMERICA. It includes 1,193 descendants of George (Jury) Waldenmeyer, and, if you count spouses too, there are 1,692 people listed in the book. The book is soft cover, spiral bound, 269 pages, indexed and there are still some copies available for sale, $25.00, plus $5.00 postage.
My next publication effort in 1998 was in cooperation with Barbara Empie Greene, THE DESCENDANTS OF JOHAN ERNST EMICHEN, EMIGRANT TO AMERICA, which included 3,915 of his American descendants. The Canadian side of the family is to be Volume II and published in a couple years. The book is soft cover, perfect bound, 800 pages, indexed, and there are still some copies available for sale, $35.00, plus $5.00 postage.
Other people who have been so helpful in my genealogical hobby have been my two sisters, Florence and Martha. Each has edited 500 pages of this Schaffer book and has contributed many editorial suggestions so that the final effort is a professional product of which we are all proud! And I thank my neighbor, Annette De Lyser, for proof reading and editing all of the reports in this book.
My first cousin, Henry Lyker, (our mothers were sisters) and I spent many enjoyable days visiting Schaffer and Kilts relatives in Mongomery and Schoharie Counties, NY, getting their family trees. He died 9 November 1994 and I miss him sorely.
Martha Foland, my 5th cousin, once removed, has been a very great help. She has done research and volunteer work at the Old Stone Fort Library, Schoharie Co., NY; the NYS Library, Albany, NY; and the LDS Center, Central Bridge, NY. Also, she is a native of Schoharie County, NY, and knows many, many people and families, descendants of our Maria Elizabeth Schaffer.
Also, I would like to make special mention of Diane Graziano, 28 Brickston Dr., Pittsford, NY 14534-3627, who has been very helpful not only on the Schaffer family, but also with the Warners. (My next book?) Also, special mention is made of Gordon Stinson who was extremely helpful with names and addresses of the Canadian branch of the Schdffer family. (Each one I've met so far uses the surname "Shaver".) I think I've just scratched the surface as to the identity of my "Canadian Shaver Cousins," so maybe Gordon and I can collaborate on a book about them some time in the near future.
There are many, many others who have been most helpful in supplying their family information. They are too numerous to mention here. Without repeating the information, their names are listed in the Correspondents listing which follows.
I thank all of you; you too can be proud of this publication, THE DESCENDANTS OF MARIA ELIZABETH SCHAFFER!