Author finds stars on family tree

BY MARY WICOFF

CAYUGA, Ind. — Unlike other first-time authors, John Kilgore has something in his favor — a publisher in the family.

His book, “Echoes from the Past: A Memoir of Family Heritage,” is being published by a new business started by his son, Shaun, of Danville.

The paperback book, which was released earlier this month, details his adventures in amateur genealogical research. He uses old photos, newspaper clippings and family memories to trace his heritage.

His wife, Mary Jane Kilgore, is listed as an author, as she has helped him research family history for more than 20 years.

During that research, the couple crossed paths with some big country names, including Johnny and June Cash, Hank Williams Jr. and songwriter Merle Kilgore.

Kilgore discovered he’s distant cousins with Merle Kilgore, who was Williams’ manager, and June Carter Cash.

Shaun Kilgore’s publishing company, Founders House, is printing the book on demand. Shaun designed the book and did the layout.

“It was a long hard pull,” John Kilgore said of bringing his book to print.

However, he said it was satisfying to hold that first copy in his hands. “We had a lot of fun, and I want other people to enjoy it, too,” he said.

While interested in genealogy for years, Kilgore didn’t get serious about doing research until 1987.

At one extreme, the book includes stories about some of his more notorious relatives, such as brothers John, Ike, and Wiley Kilgore, who used to cause trouble in Cayuga in the late 1880s.

A more law-abiding relative, however, is cousin Merle Kilgore, who co-wrote “Ring of Fire” with June Carter. Kilgore died in 2005.

“Working with Merle Kilgore was the most exciting thing I ever did,” Kilgore said. “He was so down-to-earth.”

While attending a family reunion in Virginia in 1990, he learned he was related to June Cash, and later spent the night at the historical home of mother Maybelle Carter.

In 1991, he met June before a concert, and later met Johnny Cash in Nashville, Ind. He also did genealogy research for both Merle and Williams.

Kilgore tells numerous stories in great detail about the stars he met along the way.

“Everybody was willing to help,” Kilgore said, referring to his research efforts. “There are friendly people in the Tennessee area who would help you any way they can.”

Besides traveling across the country, Kilgore did a lot of research on the Internet.

Shaun’s role

Kilgore’s son has done a lot of ghostwriting for Web sites, with advice from his friend, Thomas Hollowell, formerly of Gessie, Ind., and author of “Allah’s Garden.”

He also has written “A Small Collection of Fantasies” and is working on a fantasy novel.

Shaun did research about on-demand printing, marketing and publishing, and set up a limited liability business with his wife, Amanda.

His father is his first client. He plans on being a traditional publishing business — he won’t ask for any money upfront and he won’t give advances, but he will offer a higher royalty rate. He will publish any genre.

Shaun especially welcomes authors who will take responsibility for their own marketing, using social media such as Facebook and twitter.

Kilgore is pleased with his book, saying, “I wanted to leave something to honor my grandparents and parents, and something for my grandchildren to pass on.”

His future plans include writing a cookbook with family recipes.

Both father and son said they’re available to talk to groups about their experience in researching family history.

FYI

Learn more about Founders House Publishing at the Web site http://www.founders-house.com

Authors can go to the site to learn how to submit work for publication or they may e-mail info@founders-house.com

John Kilgore Sr.’s book may be ordered through the site or by e-mailing him at johnlkilgore@hotmail.com. He also may be contacted at (812) 483-8597 or writing to him at 307 S. Seventh St., P.O. Box 372, Cayuga, IN 47928.

The book is on www.amazon.com, as well. Price is $14.95.

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