The MacBraire Family Association and "In Defiance" Newsletter

When I was first beginning my research of the McBraire/McBrayer family, I discovered an immediate need to keep others informed about our progress and to share that information with them. I mailed out several letters to various family members asking for their suggestions as to the best way to do this. I received many helpful replies and suggestions and after considerable debate it was decided that we needed a newsletter that would be dedicated to the family. Therefore on June 1, 1979 the first issue of "In Defiance" was printed. Those first issues were printed using the most up-to-date method of that time - typed on a typewriter cutting a stencil for a mimeograph, run on a mimeograph machine, collated by hand by my wife Pat and myself, addressed by hand, and mailed at my expense. That first issue produced 200 copies - all of which were shared with those expressing an interest.

As more of the family gained an interest in their personal heritages and the history of the McBrayer family readership to ID grew. At one point we were printing and mailing over 450 copies every three months. As more and more information came in the size grew from the original 3 pages to 12-15 pages. With the introduction of a computer in the early 1980's the job became more easy, however I found that I was having to spend more time on the newsletter than on the research and compiling of the family records. I soon relinquished the chore of publication of ID to others. During the ensuing years several family members attempted to publish, but each soon discovered that it was quite a task and soon gave up on the endeavor.

Finally, family member, Robert "Bob" McBrayer, assumed the job and has been publishing on a periodic basis since. He now sends out the newsletter as time permits.

It was also during late 1979 or early 1980 that I saw a need for a family association and proposed the idea of forming such an organization. The idea was well received by many, but before I was able to get the program in gear and get it off the ground. Dr. Ben McBrayer,  and some others personally assumed the responsibility, without my knowledge, and The MacBrair Family Association, Inc. was formed and registered in Georgia. Eventually the association and the newsletter merged into one effort and a very nominal membership fee was charged. Those rates have remained at that very low level even though publication and mailing costs have continued to increase and is still only $10 per year per individual - membership and ID subscription.

Anyone interested in supporting and becoming a member of The MacBrair Family Association and receiving the In Defiance newsletter can contact Bob at: The MacBrair Family Association, Inc., 951 Old Goddard Rd., Lincoln Park, MI, 48146-4453 or by emailing him at RMcBrayer@metroshores.net.