"I am indeed sorry [parts of the web site] has caused problems, but I ask you to please look at it from my viewpoint.
"First of all, please rest assured, I am NOT doing this to make money. This is a work of love. I am an old retired gentleman with a grown family. I live alone in a small apartment and my only income is from a small retirement pension. In fact, I have lost well over $10,000 paying for computers, on-line fees, InterNIC fees, site storage fees, office materials, postage, and similar expenses. I have worn out four computers in this effort, and although the prices are getting lower, so has my income.
"Second, as you have pointed out, my web site didn't start out being restricted. It only happened after I was stolen from and "hacked" at mercilessly by those who either thought it was clever, or out of meanness. Some thieves were bold enough to capture entire pages from my web site and transfer them to their own web sites as their own material. Whatever the motive, it happened dozens and dozens of times, at a rapidly accelerating rate. I had to do something to protect myself. You sound very dedicated and quite honest. Therefore, I will give you an honorary membership to the BORLEY GHOST SOCIETY if you will promise me not to take any of the material off the web site. After you join, if you will communicate with the other associates of the Society, you will be assured by them of my sincere intentions. They will confirm that this task is very difficult, and due to my ill health, I may not be able to carry it forward much longer. Much thought has been given to shutting down the web site all together. I intend to continue as long as I possibly can, however. I am extremely grateful to many people around the world who offer their time and their resources to assist me.
"Thank you very much for letting me know of your concern. Vincent O'Neil"

To whom it may concern,

Recently Vince received a venomous letter from a surfer. I had a chance to read Vince's proposed reply. I was amazed at the gentle, kind, manner in which this great man was choosing to respond . . .

Since Vince is way too polite to do it, I typed up the reply this "person" needs to hear.

In a recent message, a fool writes:

" i am sad that i found your homepage as it has cheapened the image of the story of Borley which i have known since i was small. i think less inappropriate meaningless chatter about your and marianne's relationship would improve the page beyond measure."

Dear fool,

Bullpucky...the house would be a stupid pile of wood and bricks if it weren't for the HUMAN relationships associated with it.

Vince's homepage is not meant to be the story of Borley. It is meant to be one chapter in the Borley story. There is a difference. Vince's mother and himself ARE the main focus of that chapter. Anyone who doesn't want to read that chapter is welcome to move on to the other 10,000 web pages that his site has inspired other people to write about Borley.

"... i can't help but sense a certain paranoia in the fact that you have gone to such lengths to prove your mother's love for you . . . most people couldn't care which way or the other..."

This isn't about most people. This is about Vince O'Neil's search for his roots. If Vince uncovers something in his search that is of interest to you, and shares it with you out of his spirit of collaboration and good will then count yourself LUCKY.

The reason Vince has gone to such lengths to describe the true relationship with his mother is because a couple of very mean and nasty people who don't have a clue in the world . . . . have said some mean and nasty things. These mean nasty people are dysfunctional and think that by hurting someone else they will somehow improve their own standing. I try to avoid such mean people. . . . Vince on the other hand quietly goes about documenting the way it really was (the truth!) and simply makes that truth available to the other person in hopes that they might get a clue. . .

"...and, why on earth didn't you know about the whole thing until after your mother had passed? i get the feeling that you are trying to use your new found "importance" to make financial gain out of one of the worlds most famous ghost stories..."

Vince is important. He has always been important. His importance is not newfound. He is downright famous in certain circles. But you won't hear him talk about it much because he is humble. People and organizations consistently invite him to speak about his experiences and his roots because they are INTERESTED in what he has to say. Hundreds ( I dare say thousands) of people are grateful for him taking the time to share his ideas, thoughts, and heritage with them via the 'net. If he is able to get some financial gain out of doing what he loves THEN GOOD FOR HIM!!! Wake up and join the real world. . . . He isn't making money. He is spending money.

"... just leave the story alone - you weren't even there to experience any of it! the last thing the legend needs is a hyped-up american version . . . the next thing to really destroy the story will be a movie version, i'm quite sure that you'll claim rights to that too!"

. . . .Go back and READ! Vince's approach to Borely is one of the MOST balanced and level headed discussions of Borley anywhere! I and many others don't want him to "leave the story alone." We like the story. We like his side of the story.

"extremely disappointed "

What you are is pathetic. . . capitalize your "i's" when you are referring to yourself. Go do something productive instead of wasting your time tearing down other people's honest efforts.

Sincerely,
A proud member of the Borley Ghost Society (name on file)

There have been dreams in the past about being the "definitive" Borley resource, but I'm not sure that is possible. Peter Underwood, Stewart Evans, The Harry Price Library, and many others have more resources than I do! HOWEVER, that does not stop me from WANTING to have at least a copy of everything, if not all of the originals. As a collector, I have become mildly obsessed with gathering at least one of everything on the planet associated with Borley. Peter Underwood has the bell, and Ivan Banks has the gateposts, Nicky Carpenter has a brick, etc., so I won't be able to ever get the originals, so for certain items, I will be happy to have photos and the knowledge of where they are.

I want to live on the same property in one of the cottages now built there. I want to have my ashes scattered on the church grounds after I die. These are dreams, not goals, and will probably never be realized. What CAN be realized is gathering up all possible information, not only to just possess it, but also for the main goal that started all this in the first place -- to learn about my heritage. To learn about the things my mother went through and to try and piece together what she actually felt, said, and did while at Borley and afterward. It continues to amaze me every month when someone sends me a new document with new information - sometimes there is just ONE SENTENCE inside a brief paragraph with information not previously known!

As a student, I enjoy knowing my subject completely - studying it through and through. A perfect example of this is the rectory itself. I am utterly fascinated by the fact the most famous view is of the SIDE of the rectory, not the FRONT! (It was difficult to get a good camera angle through the trees and bushes lining the road.) I won't be happy until I see a picture of the BACK of the place, and the OTHER SIDE!

Yes, it is personal - right after the title of the web site, the first two words are "My mother....." Those not comfortable reading about my mother and myself are welcome to go elsewhere.

I grew up with many lies and deceptions. I am seeking for the truth. THAT is where this whole project began. Subsequently, my efforts have also been focused on rehabilitating the image of my mother, and on correcting the record when erroneous reports about Borley are published in various forms.