Research in children's homes

Bouncing in visits from the home of one child to another, I discovered a wealth of information needed for an historical novel that was forming in the nether recesses of my mind. After borrowing and reading books about the Caribbean area I was hooked on its history. For several years I pulled references together that would add authenicity to the general time I chose. The specific time of the novel jelled when I found a connection to family genelogoy and the history of Jamaica. I read many books that filled in the history lacking in my one room school education sixty years ago. The titles run the gamut of the alphabet so I have an esoteric education that covers history of the Americas which includes a smattering of European history as well. I scoured libraries, used book stores, and garage sales for books that provided what I thought I needed. Books are stacked on shelves in every room in my little home and in boxes in storage sheds in my back yard.
Only in the past year did I come to realize what an extra source of information I have in my children. Throughout the west coast states of California, Oregon, and Washington, where the children live, I found libraries with a wealth of stuff. And beyond the books I picked the brilliant brains and found help with characters, plots and settings. I like to think I nurtured the minds of my children to the point where they loved information that now are my best resources.
However, I will be the first to admit that the genes over which I had no control - well a little in my choice of life partner - played a major part in my good fortune. I studied the titles of books lining the walls of my oldest son and remembered the books and other media in shelves and boxes in homes of other sons and a daughter where I visited in the past few months. Not to mention the cumulative years of their education in science and history. What a resource!
Naomi Sherer