Found: My 'Long Lost' Cousin Bruce Poe

Before the Internet, many people were left with handed-down family tales about "whatever happened to (fill in the blank)."

Now, time, determination and Internet access are all you need to put together your own family tree.

I did that recently. Early this year, I found a cousin on the Internet.

His name is Bruce Poe and according to his LinkedIn profile, he is a engineer who lives in Denver. His great-grandfather is my grandfather, Rev. William Poe, once a a big man in the small town of Eustis, Fl. He was pastor of the largest church in town. The second largest church, Poe Memorial, is named in his honor and was founded by loyal church members with a different view of faith and leadership. (But, that's another story).

Bruce, 52, his wife, Betty, and I began chatting by e-mail and, eventually, they decided to make a trip down South so Bruce could learn more about his roots.

This evening, my father will meet his great nephew for the first time. I and my brother will meet two new cousins.

On Friday, if southwest Atlanta news is quiet enough, I will share this special reunion story and provide links to websites that can help you find your family online, too.

Stay tuned.