First off, I think this is a fabulous idea having this area to tell of our experiences. Most genealogists are driven by something which we do not understand, and this is a great place to share our stories. Now on to my experience:

For over thirty years I drug my kids over cemeteries looking for particularly more info on my mother's SCHMIDT line. I had a good bit of info and wanted to expand my knowledge on this line. Then four years ago we got a computer and after playing many games I realized that I could do more than that. So I slowly learned to post queries online about my SCHMIDT line.

I wasn't able to find to much more on my Schmidt line, but I kept at it. Gradually I began to get subtle little urgings to maybe do some research on my Fahl line, which was my father's side. These urgings progressed into deep gnawings, and at times I would speak to my deceased father and tell him that I would begin searching his line as soon as I finished Mom's line. Well, Dad must have gotten the whole Fahl/Hoppes clan together up there and they all put the pressure on me! I gave in shortly after that due to absolutely strong gnawing feelings that I should take a respite from Schmidt searching and start concentrating on my Fahl line.

Within two months I found my first Fahl cousin online. From there on my search just snowballed and since then I have found over thirty new cousins I never knew I had. I got truly amazing results, and even found two private Fahl cemeteries in fields on the back of what was once their property. I now have lost count on just how many new cousins I have found, several of whom I have since met in person.

But I realize now that it's not the number of ancestors you find, it's learning about them and how they lived. It's the knowledge that many of my ancestors left their homes abroad and came to this land with hope for a better life. It's the pride in knowing that my ancestors fought for the freedoms which I have today. It's knowing and understanding myself better. This I strongly believe is why my ancestors prodded me along the path, and didn't give up on me.
Thanks Dad!