Wilma Collins created the first family history book after her father, Spencer Collins, encouraged her to write down "who's who" in the family before those stories were lost. Working long before online records and DNA research, she relied on photographs, letters, family memories, and countless phone calls, preserving a priceless foundation for future generations.

Building on her original work, Wilma Collins released a second edition with updated descendants, newly discovered photographs, and more family stories. Like the first edition, much of the research centered on the Collins branch because those were the records and personal connections most readily available to her at the time.

Tamika Law continued preserving the family's history by compiling additional photographs, expanding family lineages, documenting names across generations, and adding historical information. Her work helped preserve valuable records and connections for future editions.

The torch was passed to Carolyn Johnson, whose edition expanded the family's story by bringing greater depth to the Johnson and Metcalf branches and preserving even more photographs, memories, and genealogy. Each new edition reflected the growing knowledge shared by relatives across different branches of the family.

Building on the work of those before them, Fran Seward and Siera Rivera created the most comprehensive edition known to MCJ. With access to digital archives, historical records, DNA tools, and contributions from relatives across every branch, this edition unearths never-before-seen stories, documents, photos and connections.