Midland Resident Helps Launch the "Genealogy off the Shelves" Series

Published on August 17th, 2011
Written by Public Record Finder Staff

The technology behind genealogical research has propelled people, like Chuck Acree, a resident of Midland, Texas, and retiree of the CIA's Information Management Department, to spend all of his spare time collecting ancestors, much like one would collect stamps. Acree has spent years sourcing undiscovered family members and is actively involved in genealogical research.

Acree is scheduled to speak from his own experience about the use of DNA technology in genealogical research at the Midland County Public Library's "Genealogy off the Shelves" series. The series is meant to provide assistance to those who are searching for family members but are constantly hitting brick walls. The learning sessions are free and open to the general public and scheduled to take place on the third Saturday of every month.

Acree is no stranger to DNA testing in genealogical research. Recently, as he was peering into more details of his family history, Acree discovered that his great-grandmother died tragically. She left behind children who were oddly never adopted by his great-grandmother's siblings. "I wondered if she was an outcast from her family," Acree said. He wondered if she was in fact the biological offspring of his great-great-grandparents.

Acree's curiosity led him to DNA testing. Some of the newest technology involves DNA matching with cheek swabbing against a database. This new technology has helped researchers overcome common impairments in genealogical research. Acree found a match from the DNA testing, which led him to a woman who had the same great-great-grandparents as he. This information solved the mystery of his great-grandmother and he discovered she was, in fact, a biological child of his great-great-grandparents.

Acree is not new to the genealogical research game. He has spent the last 33 years searching for his own ancestors, sourcing them through his web site. To date, he has found 35 Acrees and has uncovered ancestors from nearly 300 years ago. Acree realizes his genealogical research is hard to give up. "It becomes kind of an addiction," he said. "Instead of collecting coins, you collect ancestors."

Acree, before he was a Midland resident, would frequent the Midland Library's Redfern Genealogical Research Center. The center is a goldmine of public records from around the country. "We have an extensive collection," said Marie Humphrey, department head of special collections for the center. "When genealogists come here from other places, if they haven't heard of it, they're very surprised."

In addition to the advanced technology the library offers, new proponents are welcomed with a packet to aid them in their searches. In addition, Midland Genealogical Society members are available to help newcomers as well. "We help them through the first steps, and then they're hooked," Humphrey said.