It started September 8, 1994 when I typed in a generic request into a newsgroup for some help with my genealogy. After contacting a friend in England, I began sharing the very few leads I had. The Internet was in the early development stages back then, and was not the ubiquitous resource now used by millions.
Then, on September 22, 1994, my friend sent the following over the fledgling electronic mail system:
"Please before you read any further, would you sit down with a
coffee and take a deep breath. NO! I haven't found [the person you wanted]
but a lot more information that you may or may not be surprised at.
"All the following data results from your mention of 'Borley Rectory.'
It meant something to me, so I researched it. It was known as THE MOST
HAUNTED HOUSE IN ENGLAND."
My friend then listed details about my life - about my mother - and about my father. Intimate details I had even forgotten - or had never known. Then he told me:
"How did I find all this out? - It's in a BOOK!!! Your mother was
one of the most amazing women of her time and also became one of the most
notorious.
"Your mother seems to have had a number of marriages as well as many
real and adopted children."
The Internet message was signed, "Nick Rowland - Stowmarket."
I was in complete shock.
The shocks continued as I researched my library and book stores. My mother was in HUNDREDS of books! She lived in the haunted house for five years, and became one of the most famous people in the world of the supernatural - Marianne Foyster of Borley Rectory.
Because of the 'net, scores of people have come to my aid, including world famous authors and ghost hunters. People who knew about me, but who had been sworn to secrecy about my past. I have become known as "The Son of Borley."
Among other things I confirmed on the 'net was the fact that I was adopted. More and more mysteries are unraveled every day.
My research continues. I have devoted my life to gathering every fact about my mother and about Borley that is available.
I am writing books about her and myself, and have established this web page to share my knowledge.
My life has changed forever. My children's lives have changed as they learn more about their heritage and about their link to ghosts, poltergeists, and phantom coaches.
My life will never be the same - nor will theirs.
"The interesting thing about your research etc. is that its a story of modern technology. Essentially your story only really happened because of the Internet and the use of electronic communication. I'm sure its not unique now, but at the time you and I were using cutting edge electronic communication.
"Without the ability to instantly broadcast to a huge audience size via newsgroups and the use of email follow-ups your story would probably never have got off the ground. I think the story of how you conducted your research remotely is almost as interesting as the story itself. From thousands of miles away from Borley you were able to guide and conduct a number of researchers acting on your behalf in the UK. In fact the amazing thing is you have only once been able to set foot in England for a relatively short time, but you are now an expert on a story that is an English story, as are your good self.
"I've seen the odd TV show about romances that have happened over the Internet, but your research as an internet detective story is absolutely fascinating, when I tell people about your story they are often more interested in how it happened than the end story itself.
"[This is truly more] the detective story rather than the Borley story."
Regards,
Nick Rowland - March 2001
