Genealogical Research has been an off and on quest for me about a dozen years 
now. There is no doubt that it takes an extraordinary amount of time and 
patience to trace ones ancestors. It can be frustrating to find yourself stuck 
on an ancestor who seemingly came out of `thin air` and then returned to that 
`air` leaving children and grandchildren with vague, patchy memories. And, no 
material proof they were ever here other than their DNA. Anyone who has every 
researched their family tree has experienced this frustrating occurrence. My 
search began when my mother told me the mystery of my gr.gr.grandfather 
Lawrence Kelley, who disappeared in the company of 2 men one day 
after leaving the field he was plowing. He left behind a wife and 4 children. 
After spending many hours on researching this mystery, I`ve found long lost 
cousins, learned a lot about the lives of Lawrence`s children, but have found 
nothing on Lawrence himself other than the fact that he was born sometime 
between 1825 and 1830 possibly in North Carolina. I`m not ready to give up 
yet, and I understand this just may become a lifelong quest with no end. But, I`m
thoroughly enjoying the journey. 

Thanks to
Mom for starting me on the journey.
Thanks Dad for dusting the cobwebs off your memory and 
taking time to let me pick your brain. Special thanks to new found cousin Barbara
who shares my obsession, her information, and has her own mysteries to 
solve. Thanks cousin Shelley and Uncle Joe for contributing.  And thanks to 
cousin Mike for helping with the Steele family 
search. My Wirt cousins have also been a tremendous help!
Finally...Cousin Myra, thank you so much.  Rest 
in Peace.