Due to a change at my internet host server, "to focus on our core business" (whatever that is), the "American Plantations and Colonies" web site is no longer available online.  There was insufficient notification for me to establish the site at another host and provide forwarding to a new location.  Although an unfortunate circumstance, I hope to use it as an opportunity to enhance the extent, accessibility, and usefulness of the material I provide.  "When life hands you a lemon, make lemonade!"

 

The Past:

 

The "American Plantations and Colonies" was a personal site, developed over a period of 4 years and contained information about only (or more than, depending on point of view) 800 voyages out of over 7000 (in process) in my personal database and correlated-data-links to other sites (with approval).  Preparation and maintenance (formatting, linking, etc.) of the site have required considerable time out of the limited amount I have had available to do the necessary research and compiling.  Additionally, the quantity of e-mail requesting additional (including non-posted) information has consumed more.

 

The Present:

 

I regret the inconveniences caused by the abrupt and unintended loss of my website, but I currently lack sufficient time and funding (no interest in response to requests) to establish another site while in the process of finalizing my current database and Web interface.  "Finalizing" is only in the sense of completing, correlating, and formatting the material I already have.  Without the necessity of maintaining and updating a site not directly correlated with my database, I expect preparations (of one which is) to take much less time.  At present, the shiplists@mindspring.com is an interim address for correspondence relating to research, database development, and similar activities.  If you wish to be notified when the material becomes available at a new site, please send a request to this address.  Until that time, so I can prepare the material as early as possible to help the most people, I will not be able to respond to individual research requests.

 

The Future:

 

I intend to establish another web site as a replacement, but there may be an extended delay (months?) before that is accomplished.  The reasons for the delay are several, including basic modifications and volume of available material.  I have been in the process of creating an appropriate "web" interface for the database to allow on-line access.  This will be different from a search engine in that it will provide direct information on name variants, correlation of differences between source listings for the same voyages, and more.  The voyage, historical, and source-reference material will still be similar in content, but I hope to expand the scope considerably.

 

In the meantime, I can only hope you will understand.

 

Sincerely, but with regret,

 

Thomas Langford