Freddie L. Spradlin

Hello, all! I've been nominated as a SC representative to the USGenWeb's AB. I thought it would be helpful if I introduced myself, and explained my involvement in the USGenWeb.

I'm currently the SC for VAGenWeb. I began my activity in VAGenWeb at or near it's beginnings as a simple CC, with no knowledge of HTML. I volunteered my services to Linda Lewis, the then SC to develop a webpage for "statewide" or "Unknown County" queries, [http://www.rootsweb.com/~vaunknow/vaquery.htm] and still perform that role. Soon afterwards, she persuaded me to include a "Surname Register" [http://www.rootsweb.com/~vaunknow\vasurnam.htm] which I did, and maintain today. I also volunteered as "orphan master" and posted rudimentary sites for the counties still without permanent CCs. Not long after, Linda convinced me to assume the title of ASC VAGenWeb. Some years ago, when Linda needed to refocus her workload, we changed places and she became ASC and I became SC.

Not long ago I gave up several of the counties for which I was CC, but I still have two (Bedford & Carroll) for which I'm CC. I'm also CC for Mercer Co, WVGenWeb. Several years ago, I volunteered to take over the maintainance of the USGenWeb's "Single Lineage Researcher" Project [http://www.rootsweb.com/~lineage/]. It's an interesting concept, and has daily additions to its array of ancestor's names.

I've currently in work a site that contains the pages of William Waller Henning's "Statutes at Large" [http://vagenweb.org/hening/] (A Collection of all the Laws of Virginia from 1619 to the formation of the Union.

My philosopy/prejudice concerning the role of the SC to the CCs is that the SC is the servant of the CCs. ... As SC, I have no business interfering in the business of the CC except to see that the minimal requirements of the USGenWeb are satisfied. When a CC has to give up their county, I try to find a replacement, (I have a short waiting list for some counties) encouraging the old CC to hang on until we do. When a patron contacts me that they're having trouble with one of the county pages, or getting a response from the CC, I step in and get the CC to handle the problem, and at the same time reduce any irritation of the patron. I act as go-between between the CCs and the rootsweb "accounts guru", and where necessary, the USGenWeb's Election Committee representative.

Personal History/Qualifications

I'm a WV native, (Bluefield, Mercer Co) and a 1963 graduate of VA Tech, with a BS in Electrical Engineering. I served 20 years in the USAF. My first assignment was to pursue graduate studies in EE at the University of Pittsburg. I then was assigned to Vandenburg AFB in CA, Hill AFB in UT, Wright-Patterson AFB in OH, Hanscom Field in MA, and the Army's Harry Diamond Labs just north of DC. I retired in 1983 with the rank of Major. During my years in the USAF, I acquired an MBA from Western New England College, and taught myself computer programming. I'm an fanatic duplicate bridge player, and stand-by director of several club games. I retired (a 2nd time) from TRW in Redondo Beach CA (now Northrup Grumman).

Updated June 12, 2006