Visualize Lorraine sitting there with her two (of three) computers. She’s frustrated because she can’t find the parents of the wife of a “cousin.” An entire day was devoted to searches of surnames associated with that family. See the open book? That is LaVerne Evergreen Cemetery Tombstone Inscriptions–documented and published by this brand-new “baby” genealogist (1989). I walked that cemetery on weekends, for months, “reading” and “proofing.” That experience gave me a foundation of Church of the Brethren and Old German Baptist Brethren surnames.
“Cousin” Brubaker was a member of the Church of the Brethren community in LaVerne, California. With conviction, I knew his second wife came from within that community. His information was vast; her information was scanty. Repeat: “An entire day was devoted to searches of surnames associated with that family.” The next morning I thought “One more search.” Miraculously, an avalanche of information!! If you are interested in the details, click this link (Etta Belle Wheeler) and see my research.