Thankful Thursday: “Search Angel”

Generous souls…friends along the way. I don’t know what to call them, but these traveling companions always seem to appear when I need them most. They’ve appeared out of the blue, oftentimes in unexpected places. And though the timing’s not mine, it always seems perfect. That’s why I welcomed with open arms the "search angel" who showed up for me last week. 

This blog post, by genealogy expert Megan Smolenyak, is what drew me to the "search angel" in the first place. As I read this line of hers, especially, I felt like I was hearing an amen chorus for some of the work that I’ve been doing: 

Although NBC’s celebrity roots series, Who Do You Think You Are?, is only about to embark on its second season (February 4 , 8/7c), it already has many diehard fans. Imported from the U.K. by executive producer Lisa Kudrow, the show appears to be on the verge of provoking a nationwide epidemic of roots fever.

The underlying question of this series – Who do you think you are? – plays a pivotal role in many of my Nancy Drew adventures. In researching my own family tree, I’ve climbed precarious, sprawling branches. I’ve tunneled my way through lots of tangled roots. It’s not for the faint-hearted or indelicate, that’s for sure. Still, and though I’m not an expert genealogist, I’ve collected a bag of tricks. And side-kicks. Have roadster, will travel! 

Even Nancy Drew needs someone to hold the flashlight now and again, which is why this response to Megan’s entry caught my eye:

Feel free to contact me for help in searches. I have completed 200 searches/r­eunions in the past two years, some without even a family name. www.prisci­llasharp.o­rg. […]  Reuniting the world — one family at a time.

After reviewing her website, I felt compelled to contact Priscilla. We exchanged emails, and then we spoke by phone. To say that our connection was immediate would be an understatement.  I explained what I was looking for, and why. And when she said, “I would be delighted to help you,” I cried. It’s so wonderful, not to be going it alone! When we talked a few days later, she ended our phone call by saying, “I’m with you for the long haul.” I leaned into her reassuring words, and the spirit of understanding behind them.  

Unlike some genealogists, Patricia does this work for free—a generosity borne of her personal experiences. (It’s not my story to tell, but I encourage you to peruse her website. You’ll come away inspired, I promise you that.) She calls herself a search angel, a name that suits her, I think. Within days, she’s already uncovered new information and artifacts for me—this revival ad, among them. Several people made mention of this line of copy: “See visible miracles…” I believe this new partnership is a miracle in its own right. Can I get a witness?

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23 Comments

  1. XOXO

    FABULOUS!! I love that you are not walking the walk all alone!
    An angel is perfect!

    Some day I would love to know more about my grandmother but I don’t know have much to go on. She was my idol! I love her no matter where she came from.

    • Re: XOXO

      Your grandmother and my nana = love, personified. 🙂

      You might enjoy delving into your own genealogy. I’m fascinated by my ancestry, and feel so much more connected to my own story–to the world itself–with each discovery.

      • Re: XOXO

        I have no where to start. I know her mother died when my grandmother was 10. But beyond that she never really spoke of her parents. Oh, her grandmother was evil and loved oranges.

        odd thing…. when my mom died her birth certificate came with a different parents listed and my aunt, her sister, freaked out and petitioned to have it changed… hmmmm

        • Re: XOXO

          Wow, sounds like you’ve got some fascinating secrets tucked away in your family tree! (Ancestry.com is a fun & relatively easy place to start tracking your lineage. You can get a trial membership for free…)

  2. That is so neat! I have a genealogy of my mother’s side of the family, the Hartwell side back to the time of William the Conqueror, supposedly an ancestor came over from Normandy with him in 1066. My dad’s side not so much…
    I looked my dad’s name up on the internet, John Cincotti MD. No hits except for someone who must be a relative, another John Cincotti who is a hit man for the Patriarca crime family in Boston, which is where my dad was from…
    I am so happy for you.

    • Have you enrolled in Ancestry.com? Not to beat their drum (there are other sources out there), but it’s an easy way to get connected to distant relatives. And you can get a trial membership for free!

      BTW: Makes total sense that you’d have an intrepid ancestor in your family tree…LOVE that! 🙂

  3. There are a lot of good people out there in genealogyland–it has a similar pay–it-forward feel as kidlit. (And once the genealogy bug bites, it doesn’t let up, either! 🙂

  4. I’m so happy you have a search angel in your corner, Melodye. You deserve it. Hope you got my email last week. Am fighting health/pain issues right now but want to chat once I get things more under control.

    • I got your message, Susan, but didn’t want to disturb your rest with a follow-up email. We’ll have that pot of virtual tea, I promise you that. For now, though, please concentrate on getting better. xoxo

  6. Anonymous

    I’m honored …

    … to be walking this journey with you. Every life is interesting, every search a puzzle to solve and keep my mind alert in old great-grannyhood! LOL And every new companion on the journey a “reason” or “season” or, hopefully, “lifetime” friend.
    Love,
    Pris [your search angel]

  7. Oh, Melodye, this is wonderful. I’ve started to dip my toes into geneaology and one of the things I like best about it is how generous people are with their time and information, and how eager they are to connect and share what they’ve found. But even among such an open-hearted crowd, it’s clear that your search angel is a particular gem. So happy for you!

    • Thank you, Amy! It *is* wonderful, isn’t it?? I can’t believe my good fortune.

      I’m new to genealogy, but my experiences so far have been mostly positive. Some people wish to remain anonymous, possibly for the same reasons the relationships were made secret in the first place. It’s hard work…time consuming and sometimes emotionally wrenching. But on the whole, it’s been a tremendously rewarding experience!

  9. This is wonderful! I’m so happy for you.
    Genealogy is so fascinating–all the neat stories and learning about our relatives.

    I love your comment about how friends/people enter our lives when it is best for us.

    • Thanks, Sarah! I’m enthralled by each new thing I’ve learned–it’s like reading a chapter book, one teaser at a time.

      And as to your second point, I feel lucky to have met you, too!

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