Prior to the advent of the internet I was routinely told that only a few real nuts would really want this kind of detail, and time spent reading Confederate service files &c was a huge waste of time.

Been there, done that, and got the T-shirt. Like you, I spent years accumulating paper and transcribing microfilms. I ended up with an enormous amount of information on (mostly) Arkansas troops -- now what? I had all this good stuff that was only benefiting me.

The advent of the internet has enabled people like you and me to share our research with anyone who's interested -- as well as to benefit from the research of others who are willing to share. It has made all those years of research really worthwhile and satisfying, and it really makes my day when something I transcribed 25 years ago turns out to be the last piece of the puzzle for fellow researcher.

Your pard and fellow nut,
Bryan