Russell E. Bidlack

I talked to Russell by way of phone in my search to find out what happened to my Great Great Grand Father Hugh S Sparks. Men like Russell are unsung hero's. I will not spend a life time of wondering about my Grate Grate Grand Father. I have Russell to thank for that. I did thank Russell by phone. It was apparent that his reward for all of his hard work was to know, he helped someone. Russell made his mark on the world and he will never be forgotten.

Russell's love for his wife who inspired him to spend thousands of hours researching her family back to 1615 Hampshire England. Russell's perseverance was second to none. Russell's Sparks Family Tree was put on line to be free for all to see and to use for research. Recently, the sparksfamilytree.new disappeared from the internet. Howard Sparks was keeping it up and running. After his recent death it disappeared. I would love to sponsor the Sparks Family Tree website for the rest of my life....

I have been reading Mr. Bidlack's fine writing in the Quarterly. Sorry that I discovered the family's English origins too late to share this information with him. If his descendants have inherited any of his interest in the history of the family, I would be happy to pass my finds on to them. Email me at [email protected]

I am a Sparks descendant as well. I have much information that my great uncle, Calvin Sparks did not have to give the late Mr. Bidlack. If any of his family is carrying on his work, please contact me, Matthew Wise. 203 Lincoln St Apt 1 Oil City, Pa 16301, or 814-516-7489. The information is on Benjamin P Sparks and generations before.

So sorry to hear of Russell's passing. I am a 3rd cousin to his wife, Melva. I connected with Russell through genealogy research on my Brannan roots. His detailed and thoroughly researched documentation on Melva's connection to Thomas Jefferson Brannan was both interesting and believable.

I am filled with sadness at the loss of this selfless and dedicated gentleman with whom I communicated for the past 15 years. His tenacity and dedication to the Sparks Family Association was an inspiration to us all. His loss will be deeply felt. God bless Russell Bidlack.