Philip and Martha, Their Sons and Daughters has evolved directly from the Cody convention in Flint Michigan in 1961 at which time mem- bers present instructed the new secretary, Aldus Cody, that it was the desire of the family that female lines, as well as male lines, be followed.
    This was a reaction to the publication of The Cody Family, Mas- sachusetts 1698, which was produced through the generosity and per- sistance of Lydia Cody of Cleveland and Babson Park. Professionally produced under the direction of Emma B. Hawley, the work included females born with the Cody name, but not their offspring.
    Very little was accomplished under the new rule,   except to continue the files compiled by Ernest William Cody, the previous secretary, and which followed female as well as male lines.
    Philip and Martha was published first in paperback form and it was intended that the original type forms would be used for the hardback edition, with perhaps footnotes or addenda to clear up any deficiencies and correct any errors.
    First off, an effort to produce an index for Philip and Martha foun- dered in pencil and paper (or even typewriter)   technology and it be- came clear such a task should be handled by computer.   Mailing lists were already committed to computer and it became evident that even- tually the Cody records shoud be maintained in a computer database.
    Since the work of preparing the copy for the original paperback edi- tion consumed four years of typing, pasting and proofreading, the new task could have been expected to require another two years. But since volume two had been computer-typset on floppy disks it   was   hoped that complete rekeying of the book would not be required.
    As a matter of fact computer magic was employed to facilitate proofreading, eliminate duplicate records, and provide proofs to be mailed to members.
    But records in the computer began—as did the directories of Ernest William Cody—with the sixth generation. As the Lydia Cody book had been out of print for years, there was a need for something besides   a wall chart to tell the story of the first five generations.
    Thus this companion volume which is a reprint of the  first  part   of the Lydia Cody book, and which also includes pertinent addenda in- cluding "Piercing the Veil" which details our possible connection   with the Isle of Jersey.
    These two books now make it possible for anyone to trace their  an- cestry back to the original Philip—or to establish their relationship  to Col. William F. Cody "Buffalo Bill" if they choose.
    Financing of these two books has been made possible by the generosi- ty of more than 100 Codys who believed in the work enough to commit themseles to buy one or more copies of the permanent edition of Philip and Martha.

    The kind words of hundreds—in the form of brief notes accompany- ing their annual dues—and the support of the late Therald Cody, im- mediate past president of   The International Cody Family Association, the enthusiastic encouragement of Gerald Cody, who succeeded Ther- ald, and the presence of a supportive and patient wife, have also played their part.