This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: Pstreet1 Surnames: Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.northam.usa.states.kentucky.counties.garrard/3945.5/mb.ashx Message Board Post: 1.Why do you believe people find history so alluring? I think most people are driven (sometimes not until late in life and sometimes only to a limited degree) to know what made them what they are. I can't tell you the number of friends and acquaintances who have said, at 40/50/60/70--and even 80--years of age, "Do you think you could help me find out something about my family?" They really want it done for them; they aren't interested in the process generally, but they do want to know. I've "helped" quite a few and presented them with what I've been able to locate more or less quickly. All have been grateful and rushed to share their new information with anyone in their family they can find to share it with. It just takes some people longer than others to discover that they do care. 2. What other interests and hobbies do you have besides history/genealogy? We travel a lot; I'm working on learning a new language; we love movies; I read--and I spend far too much time on the computer. 3. How long have you been interested? What initially spurred your interest in history/genealogy? I've been interested since I was about 10 years old. That's when I began asking my grandmother questions, only to discover a few years later than I had asked the wrong questions and caused her to deny me information because of the knowledge of what the answers would lead me to. I've never stopped being interested. I even like doing research for other people: it's sort of a combination of solving a mystery and fitting together a puzzle--and of course, proving that I can do it, ...a lot of the time, but not always. 4. How have your feelings and opinions changed toward your pursuit over time? The more I know, the more I want to know. The places where I can't get beyond a particular person still worry me, and I come back to them again and again, hoping there is some new scrap of evidence that will make it all fall into place. I'm haunted by the knowledge that someone out there knows the answer; I just haven't found the person yet. 5. How/where do you do your research? Now, mostly on the internet and at Salt Lake City. When I started, it was in libraries, in graveyards, in courthouses, and by letter. I've been at it for nearly 60 years now, and much has changed. 6. Have you ever been surprised or amused by your discoveries? Yes, but there has not yet been anything shocking, or even terribly surprising. 7. Can you suggest any other sources of information for me? No, I suspect that by the time you've sifted through all the replies you get on this forum, the points will have been set down by someone. 8. Any final thoughts? I often refer to it as "a silly, ultimately worthless, and very messy hobby, but one that I enjoy thoroughly--and besides, it is, as some hobbies are not, harmless." Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board.