Fred made a trip to the local Family History Center. Through the special FamilySearch Portal, which offers access to a number of premium resources, he was able to bring up an "old" genealogy magazine which is now out of print. The Genealogical Helper was an essential tool in the years before the development of the Internet, a place to post queries and sometimes, find other family members or potential collaborators.
In this resource, Fred found a reference to a a surname that was in his family files, a line which had become a "brick wall" in his research. Amazingly, the person who posted the "ad" was still living, as Fred discovered via the Internet. He has written this individual at the same address that he posted in the Genealogical Helper and will let me know if or when he gets a response. There is a good chance that the man is his second cousin!
And now, Fred, for you, the lyrics of a song from the Sound of Music; I know it's a kind of love song, but I just feel like you must have been living good to receive this opportunity to link to your kinfolk. At the very least, you had a genealogy angel watching over you! It could also be argued that, occasionally, when you reach out for help, your investment of time and effort is rewarded in a big way!
Maria:
Perhaps I had a wicked childhood
Perhaps I had a miserable youth
But somewhere in my wicked, miserable past
There must have been a moment of truthFor here you are, standing there, loving me
Whether or not you should
So somewhere in my youth or childhood
I must have done something goodNothing comes from nothing
Nothing ever could
So somewhere in my youth or childhood
I must have done something goodCaptain:
For here you are, standing there, loving me
Whether or not you shouldMaria:
So somewhere in my youth or childhood
I must have done something goodMaria and the Captain:
Nothing comes from nothing
Nothing ever couldMaria:
So somewhere in my youth
Captain:
Or childhood
Maria:
I must have done something . . .
Maria and the Captain:
Something good
