My name is Bryan Collins. I am a native of Livingston, Overton County, Tennessee currently residing with my family in Nashville, Tennessee. I am the son of Darrell and Patricia (Choate) Collins. I am the grandson of Champ Edward and Nola (Ledbetter) Collins, and Grover and Opal (Allred) Choate. I am the great-grandson of Walter and Mary (Abney) Collins, Walter and Mae (Ledbetter) Ledbetter, Charlie and Winnie (Goodpasture) Allred, and Earl and Willie (Cole) Choate. To this day, these surnames and many others in my lineage still reside in the Upper Cumberland region of Tennessee.

I have been researching my family tree on and off since I was 17 years old. Like many people of the Upper Cumberland, most of my family were a poor but very proud and God-fearing people of agrarian means who worked hard to provide for their families and carved out a living from the hills. My vision with family research is to remember where I come from, and to make sure my ancestors are not forgotten for future generations, for without them I would not be the person I am today. I am always eager to discuss and share what infomation I have, work with other researchers, and make new acquaintances along the way. Although a person's grave site can become weathered, moved, and forgotten over time, their memory can last forever if we take the time to learn from them and in turn pass that memory on to our descendants and relatives.