My father was a Civil War buff who sparked my interest in that period more than fifty years ago. That early interest in CW history led to a history degree with an emphasis in 19th Century America.

My maternal grandmother started me down the genealogy path when I was an undergrad. Grandma had received a brief history of her ancestors from a distant cousin. Since I was a history major, she thought that it might interest me. Upon reading what the lady had compiled, it appeared that we had been in our part of West Virginia a long time. When I asked Grandma how long we had been there, her reply was, "I guess we've always been here." I then had to define always.

All this history and genealogy has led to more history and genealogy in the ensuing forty or so years. I have been a local historian wherever I have lived. Along with local history, I have pursued my sometimes elusive ancestors. When dating my wife, as marriage appeared on the horizon, I began pursuing her more interesting ancestors. When I'm not chasing our collective ancestors, I often help others with theirs. Genealogy appeals to the historian that I have been for much of my life. Solving the genealogical mysteries also provides a sense of satisfaction that I've not found anywhere else.

My father was a Civil War buff who sparked my interest in that period more than fifty years ago. That early interest in CW history led to a history degree with an emphasis in 19th Century America.

My maternal grandmother started me down the genealogy path when I was an undergrad. Grandma had received a brief history of her ancestors from a distant cousin. Since I was a history major, she thought that it might interest me. Upon reading what the lady had compiled, it appeared that we had been in our part of West Virginia a long time. When I asked Grandma how long we had been there, her reply was, "I guess we've always been here." I then had to define always.

All this history and genealogy has led to more history and genealogy in the ensuing forty or so years. I have been a local historian wherever I have lived. Along with local history, I have pursued my sometimes elusive ancestors. When dating my wife, as marriage appeared on the horizon, I began pursuing her more interesting ancestors. When I'm not chasing our collective ancestors, I often help others with theirs. Genealogy appeals to the historian that I have been for much of my life. Solving the genealogical mysteries also provides a sense of satisfaction that I've not found anywhere else.