It started back in April 2011 with an email inquiry from someone I didn’t know. I posted the substance of the email under the heading, “In search of Tapia cousins.”

Here’s an excerpt of what I wrote at that time.

Here’s another family photo mystery, this time not from our family.

This request is from Barry Tabel, who is trying to locate cousins, children of his mother’s two brothers, believed to have lived or be living in Hawaii.

His search was launched after finding family photos among his mother’s possessions after her death.

He thinks that his cousins, who he never met, would be in their 60s.

Evelyn Tapia

Christine Tapia

Melvin Tapia

He does not know their married names, if any.

The post drew a dozen comments, several from Barry’s formerly unknown relatives.

And then yesterday I received another email. This is the kind of unsolicited message that is a pleasure to receive.

Here’s another family photo mystery, this time not from our family.

This request is from Barry Tabel, who is trying to locate cousins, children of his mother’s two brothers, believed to have lived or be living in Hawaii.

His search was launched after finding family photos among his mother’s possessions after her death.

Click here to view the photographs.

He thinks that his cousins, who he never met, would be in their 60s.

Evelyn Tapia

Christine Tapia

Melvin Tapia

He does not know their married names, if any.

Dear Mr. Lind,

A few years ago you graciously posted the story of my search for an unknown Hawaiian cousin. That act of kindness lead to me discover several family members that were previously unknown to me. To that end I had created a unique Google email address. After connecting with my second cousin I quit looking at that account. Today while attempting to share a story from Google News that old email address cropped up again. With the intention of deleting it I logged into it to discover that not only had other cousins attempted to contact me but that you yourself had done more research discovering my first cousin’s married name and the year that another cousin had passed away. Please accept my sincere thanks for not only your original generosity but for the above and beyond kindness that was unknown to me until today.

Warm regards,

Barry Tabel (aka tapiacousin)

It’s a nice way to start the week.