ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

There is no way I could have made it very far in my research without my Genie Angels. Their patience and kindnesses have made me a better genealogist. Everyone listed here has gone way beyond the call of duty to help me locate my elusive ancestors, guiding me to those BINGO! moments. In turn I try to help everyone I can. By giving back to the genealogy community, we can all help make the path a little more clear for the next generation of genealogists. Thank you all from the bottom of my heart.

Paul Vandyke was my first genealogy contact. I found several interesting posts from him on a message board and contacted him. Paul copied his Vandyke research and sent it to me by mail at his own expense. You will find some of his documentation on my website. Thank you, Paul, for being so kind to a greenhorn.

Yvonne Ellwood was next. I had asked her to do several Iowa lookups for me. Yvonne gave me my first Bingo! moment when she came up with my great grandfather’s marriage record which also gave the name of his parents. Wooooooo hoooooo! Happy day, happy day! That revelation finally, finally, finally set me on the right path. Thanks, Yvonne.

Sam Dicks, a college professor and genealogy mentor, took the time to teach me how to research my ancestors. We talked on the phone as well as via email. Sam took my research to the next level by locating that elusive census record I had been looking for based on Yvonne’s revelation above. Additionally, Sam found newspaper articles for me at the Kansas State Historical Society. Woo hooo! My research really took off from that point on. Thanks, Sam. I am grateful, and I haven’t forgotten what you taught me.

Pat O’Dell Oh my gosh. This lady has done so much for the world of genealogy—and me-- it’s hard to know where to start. I found Pat while lurking around the pages of the Iowa genweb project. It took me days to enter the data I found on her site! I was astonished to find the death notice of my great grandfather from Kansas in the Iowa newspaper transcriptions! (This helped Sam find the newspaper articles mentioned above.) Pat became my hero that day and has since been the source of much, much, much information on my family. You will see her listed everywhere as a source in my database. She has done numerous look-ups for me, as well. Her work has a far-reaching impact. Pat provides obituaries, cemetery records, marriage records, newspaper records, county histories--you name it --on her site. I pieced together my great grandfather’s family by using her records. Pat has spent years scouring newspapers and notating every name and related event. You go, girl! To say thank you, Pat, hardly seems sufficient.

Bob Weis has been at the top of my “A” list since I found his website at www.bobweis.com. He had the blessing of working with George Honts and Joe McClure to provide the definitive MCCLURE genealogy website. I have not attempted to reinvent the wheel; my website focuses mainly on my own McClure line which migrated to Indiana when his line went to Kentucky. Bob has been very patient to answer my questions. He has included on his website a published article of how he and his son restored the old Lebanon cemetery in Kentucky. What a labor of love! You must read that article which begins, “Bob Weis is talking to a dead woman. ‘C’mon up, lady,’ he says.” Anyone researching the McClure family also MUST read Bob’s letter to his family, Never Say Goodbye. Bob was encouraged to sell this information in a book. He choose not to so it would be available to all who need it. That is a big man. Thanks, Bob, for having such a big heart.

Helen Eaton helped to compile a book of the genealogy of the EATON family. This was no small task as there are many, many Eatons running around at this very moment. I don’t know how long it took, but all the information was carefully hand-typed onto genealogy forms and incorporated into books which were distributed to the family. I have yet to find a mistake in this book. It is very comprehensive and well-done. Thank you, Aunt Helen, and the unknown others who helped you. This is a family treasure.

Grace Bagwell is my Colorado angel. I first bumped into Grace when searching her Sanford Cemetery index for family members. I found my aunt, little Mamie Evelyn who only lived a few months, buried there. I contacted Grace, and she graciously took some photos of headstones in Sanford, which you will see in my database. She has also done some local research for me. Thank you, Grace.

Joe Faddis is a sort of cousin that I bumped into on the Internet. Joe, I’m still hoping to go with you to see Bug. You have been most kind to me. Thanks, Joe.

Allan Bentley and I worked together for several weeks on the BENTLEY family, trying to nail down that elusive Smith G. MEANS. (I WILL find him some day!) Allan has been researching Bentleys for 30+ years and has a huge database at rootsweb. While helping me, I found some info on Bentleys that he didn’t have. Yay! Thanks, Allan.
Last but not least:

• Thanks to my husband for keeping the network going so I can stay online and for bringing me breakfast in my office this fine Saturday morning. (Forgive me for growling at you when the network temporarily goes down.)
• Thanks to my son for his help with this website.
• Thanks to my daughter who has agreed to pick up the torch when it falls from my hands.

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