The AFAOA, through the research of Janet Austin Curtis and her many correspondences with descendants of William and Ruth Austin, had a wealth of material in their files on the families of Wake Co., Union Co. and Anson Co., North Carolina.  But we must give thanks to Richard Charles Austin of Myrtle Beach, SC for this present database.  He generously sent his computerized database as a starting point, and has continued to add and edit the contents. William J. (Bill) Caligan contributed a major descendancy line, and David L. Donahue, who is not related to this line, contributed in a major way to the Scotts Hill, TN descendants by sponsoring a Web site that is a major achievement in Henderson County and Decatur County history.  It is a delight to read the many “first person” accounts of the lives of those pioneers.  Many others have contributed to this database including Elizabeth Harris, Betty Thomas Helms-Wisdom, Jimmy Smith, and Carol Visconti.  Many thanks to you all.