Back in November I posted a request on behalf of a close family friend to help them find their youngest brother who was placed up for adoption. There was a total of seven children who had been placed in foster homes with two being adopted out. The baby of that group would have been 36 years of age. She asked me for my help since she knew I loved digging up information. But even this was more then I could handle so I put my request out to my gen friends knowing it was a long shot. I received an email one night from a Shirley Smith of Mineral Wells WV who offered her help. Not only did she make trips to courthouses looking for info she made phone calls also. A couple months ago she found him, called to talk to him to make sure and then passed the info on to me and the family (who are not online). But this story doesn't stop there. Last week I drove my mom home to WV and was informed that the oldest of the boys, 46, had cancer of the pancreas and liver with little hope. Since these "boys" were always close to our family I drove my mom over to see him. His family who lives close was gathered there also, four of the seven. When I got out I was hugged and squeezed until I thought my ribs would crack! The lost brother had made a trip home four weeks earlier and they were all together for the first time in 35 years, and sad to say probably the last time. They had pictures made and were so thankful. I kept telling them I had done nothing but type the email and send it out on the wire, the person who deserved the credit was Shirley. She read the email and took the time to help. Well I flew home last night with instructions from each of them to make sure that she knows how much she did is appreciated, especially now with his time running out. I know that the "lists" are for genealogy research but I believe in my heart that the best group of people are my fellow genealogy friends. So to the angel in Mineral Well's WV, the Ellingtons say many thanks and God bless. Merry Ann Simmons -- Surnames researching, Westbrooks, Hammel, Hawkins, Cook, Bauers, Snodgrass, Garrison, Tate, Mason, Robbins, Hite, Tyler