How it all began, for me.

I got involved in genealogy, in my mid teens, when I was given a hand-drawn family tree, after my grandmother gave me some handwritten notes she had.  

Then, in the mid 1980's I received a letter, from someone claiming that because my family surname was so "rare", she had done the research and prepared a book, and for only $30/$40 (I can't remember the exact cost), I could purchase a copy of her book.

Well, her book consisted of mostly, how to do family genealogy, only at the back of the book was some information.  She had gone through public information, like telephone directories, utilities, driver's license bureaus, etc. and produced a list of names and addresses of people with my family surname of Arney (about 200 names, in all).

I thought, thanks a lot, this book could be sent to anyone, it wasn't specifically written for my "rare" family surname, because she could take out the back part (with the lists of names and addresses) and substitute any other family surname.

However, what I did do, was look at the given names, and since many people named their children after family members, and I had a family tree with given names and the Arney surname, I starting writing people, from that list.  I wrote a standard letter, sending them a copy of the family tree, I had been given, and asking them simply if they were related to me, and if so, please send me their information.

As you can guess, I sent out lots of letters, and received few in return, but I did receive answers.  Those few who chose to answer, blew me away, they sent along lots of information, and for that I'm eternally grateful.  Some letters simply confirmed, what I already had, some expanded on my information, still some even corrected my information.

I have kept most, if not all of those letters, and still have them to this day.

I recently, scanned them into my computer, so I have a digital copy, and won't have to rifle through them, again and again, if you know what I mean.

I have no "formal training", I have never taken a single genealogy class.

I began doing my own research, by hitting the local library, and looking at microfilm of the US Federal Census.  I was looking for the relatives, that I knew of, so I could find confirmation of my information, but also, where they lived, etc.

Then I began exploring my local library's Genealogy section, and all its' books.

I knew what areas, my direct ancestors lived, so I concentrated on books of those areas.

I have "tunnel vision", when it comes to my family genealogy, I concentrate solely on the men, after all, they are the ones who carry on, my family surname (no offense intended).

Then, back about 10 years ago, with the Internet explosion, I found many researchers, who were researching my family surname, but alas, as I said before, that quickly faded about 3-4 years ago.

I don't have the financial freedom, to travel the country, believe me, I wish I did, because I would, maybe I would find my answers, myself, and sooner.

I guess, I am naive, because my desire was to find researchers, of my family surname, who I prayed, lived in the areas, which needed further research.  After all, the second best thing to going there yourself, is to find someone who is already there (and is willing to help).

After all, it's one thing to ask a stranger to help, but ask yourself, "what do they gain from it", it's quite another to find someone researching the very same thing, "who does have something to gain", knowledge.

I know I can't travel to these places myself, and I know in time, many more genealogy worthy books will be digitized and online, and that information may be available, but will it be "in my time"?

I have, the last few years, used my "vacation" to travel to the nearest genealogy library, the "Mid Continent Genealogy Center" in Independence, Missouri.  They have a vast array of genealogy books, from all over the country, plus additional microfilm/microfiche, etc.

They have a yearly budget of $800,000 to spend upgrading equipment, purchases more books, etc.  Financially, it's the furthest I can honestly afford to travel, and now that both my wife and I are retired (due to disabilities), I'm not sure I can afford to even take that trip anymore.  I have Multiple Sclerosis, so my cognitive thinking, short term memory, etc. are gravely effected.

So, yes, I'm naive, because my desire, hope, goal, is to find people, who are genuinely interested in solving a family mystery, that live in the areas of interest, that are willing to make the effort to learn more.  Because the information, about which the mystery revolves, is in error (or false) which ever way you wish to say it.

But no, I'm not a "stand on the shoulders of others" (as I prefer to call them) type of family genealogy researcher.  The research that was done on my family was basically from the 1950's, and if they could find answers the "hard way" (going archives, courthouses, libraries, etc.), then we should be able, to at least find, what they did, and perhaps more.

Thank you for your time, consideration, and cooperation, I truly appreciate it.

Arney Genealogy website