Learn how the Thomas Tolman Family Organization communicated with cousins before the personal computer, e-mail, and the internet.

Prior to the advent of the personal computer, e-mail, and the internet, cousins communicated through mail correspondence and telephone calls.

The Thomas Tolman Family Organization welcomed in the New Year of 1965 with the publication of the first family magazine and newsletter. Robert S. Tolman set the standard as the first chairman of the Magazine Committee. The first year there were 450 subscriptions to the magazine. The magazine improved family unity and communication.

The cost for a one-year subscription in 1965 was $6.00. Each issue of the magazine included family group sheets, short histories, family news, and messages from the Thomas Tolman Family Organization Executive Officers. Visit the family store to view back issues of the Tolman Family Magazine and Newsletter.

Regarding the Tolman Family Magazine in 1965, Loraine Tolman Pace writes in Thomas Tolman Family Organization: A Hundred Year History: “The magazine was off to a great start. William O. Tolman was currently serving on the Priesthood Genealogy Committee for the Church and traveled most weekends with General Authorities and perhaps that access enabled the family to have special messages from church leaders during that period of time. Elder Harold B. Lee had written the first message in January. He was followed by President David O. McKay, Elder Joseph Fielding Smith, Elder N. Eldon Tanner, President Rendell N. Mabey of the Swiss Mission, President Bion Tolman of the Family Organization, Elder Howard W. Hunter, Elder Theodore M. Burton, Elder ElRay L. Christiansen, and Elder S. Dilworth Young, followed by several Executive Board members until the practice was established to have the messages from the current president of the organization.”