THOUGHTS FROM THE PHS PRESIDENT
Almost every Penland I have had contact with, say the same thing, they don't have a clue
about their ancestors farther back than their Grandparents or their Great Grandparents!
I am convinced we all need to get on the same page, and that requires an accurate listing
of the descendants of each of the four Penland ancestors. Currently, everyone it seems
has a different listing from others. We know that the listings on the "Family Listing Pages"
are not accurate. We need those of you who know which children belong to each
ancestor to help us make the listings more correct! Once we have a good listing for each,
we can then deal with the many questions people have.
We have approximately 10 new members and we expect to have more soon. We have sent
an invitation to join PHS to about 150 Penland families (about 10% have been returned
because they could not be delivered), but several have responded with interest. A similar
number of invitations will be mailed soon.
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Some People have asked about whether a DNA Test for genealogical reasons
is possible and available. I have discovered that there is such a test, and I
plan to have one done on myself to see what we can detect about thePenland
family origins and where they were located many hundreds of years ago. One
theory is that the Norsemen and the Picts (the painted people) may have had
an input to our early history as a people. In fact, the very root of the name
"Pentland" is believed to have derived from the name "Pict." I'll let you know
as soon as I have something to report....................Charles E. Penland, President
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HOME FROM IRAQ
On Thursday 3 July, USAF Major Patrick A. Penland returned home to San Antonio, Texas from a year
in Baghdad, Iraq where he had been assisting the Iraq government in re-establishing their Air Force.
His specific job was to write the air safety regulations/ instructions, and train Iraqi military officers to conduct
aircraft accident investigations. in the new Iraq Air Force. While there, Patrick says he became close friends
with the Iraqi military personnel he worked with, and was invited to their homes for meals and to meet
their families on several occasions. He said, "Those Iraqi people I met were just like everyone else -- all they
really want is to live in freedom, watch their children grow up to be good citizens and lead a secure life with
their family". As his time neared to return home, the friends he had made wished he could stay longer!
He feels he accomplished his mission, "to help win the hearts and minds of those he came in contact with,
and to assist their country in re-establishing the Iraqi Air Force. Welcoming him home were his wife Tawnya,
and children, Brittany, Nathan, Connor and Isaiah. Joshua Lasseigne, Brittany's fiance and Tawnya's Aunt
were also there, as was Patrick'sparents, Charles & Phyllis Penland. After some rest, Patrick will report for
duty to his new assignment at Air Education Training Command (AETC) Headquarters at Randolph AFB,
San Antonio, Texas, here in San Antonio.
COLLEGE GRADUATION
On the Friday evening, 2 May 2008, Brittany Nicole Penland and Joshua Allen Lasseigne both graduated
from Mississippi State University, Starkville, Mississippi with Bachelor Degrees from the School of Engineering. Brittany received her Degree in Biological
Engineering with a minor in Pre Med. Joshua received his Degree in Computer Egineering.
They are engaged to be married on 17 July and will make their home in Northern Alabama
where Joshua is employed. Brittany's parents are Patrick & Tawnya Penland of San
Antonio, Texas.
NEW GREAT GRANDDAUGHTER
James and Arizona Penland became Great Grandparents for the second time on 1 April 2008. Alyssa
Jewel Cotter, a beautiful little girl was born to their grandaughter Lisa and her husband James Cotter
in Ft. Worth, Texas. The happy Grandfather is Jimmy Lee Penland of Collinsville, Oklahoma.
On 8 June 2008 Tyler Martin Steczkowski grauated from Cedar Park HighSchool in Cedar Park, Texas
(a suburb of Austin). The graduation ceremony was held at the Irwin Center, on the Campus of the
Universary Of Texas in Austin. Tyler is the son of John & Rhonda (Penland) Steczkowski. Tyler is the
Great Grandson of the late James W. and Pearl (Murray) Penland who lived in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and the
Grandson of Charles & Phyllis Penland, San Antonio, Texas. Tyler is enrolled in Angelo State University
this fall in San Angelo, Texas.
NEW MEMBERS of PHS - 2008
* Tim Penland -- Mustang, Oklahoma
* Lois Bednarsky --Westfield, Maine
* Lynda Dehring -- Baroda, Michigan
* David & Carrie Long -- Lawrenceville, Georgia
* C. Lewis Penland -- Franklin, North Carolina
* Richard & Kay Penland -- Buchanan, Michigan
* Robert S. & Barbara Penland - Hayesville, North Carolina
* Margaret Sewell -- Buford, Georgia
* Rita Walker Wilkes - Orlando, Florida
* James T. (Tracy) Rogers -- Hobbs, New Mexico
