Bob Nelson, here in the Seattle area. I had an eye opening experience yesterday when I spent some hours, along with other volunteers, going through the musical legacy of the late John Ross. John passed away last Spring and he died with NO WILL.

I was simply astounded, and somewhat overwhelmed, with the volume of his collection. Proabably in the neighborhood of 3,000 vinyl records, at least 25 boxes of R/R tape recordings, many of them are the ten inch size. And more books that I have years left to read them.

Because he left no will, the dispersing of his estate, home, car, bank accounts, savings accounts, books, records, tapes, equipment, etc., will be sold this coming Saturday at a public estate sale. All the proceeds will go to two family cousins.

Yesterday I spent much time in discussions with Maggie Allen, the paralegal representing the estate. I learned a lot from her. She explained the ins and out of property dispersal when there is no will.

If only John had left a legally filed will, it would have been so simple. The will could have named "someone in charge." As it is, we were very fortunate that the Seattle Folklore Society stepped up with the necessary funds and purchased outright most of John's collection.

Now the next, and most difficult step, is to find people with the expertise, equipment, knowledge and skills and interest to go through those thousands of hours of recordings, catalog them, digitze them, and make them available to the world. This will not be an easy task.

My lecture is over ... with these final words ... MAKE A WILL NOW, BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE! Bob Nelson, in Everett, Washington, who made his will 14 years ago!