Probably, just my general newness here and simmering ignorance, but are you (Mur) any relation to R. A. Lafferty? If it is impolitic to ask, do forgive; where I'm from is the second question on the list after saying hello to temporary strangers.
"How you been/ How y'all been doin' (plural)?"
"Whose your people?" (then you filter through local relatives, then those in the county where your family first settled, if not local, other major clusters of your relatives while the speaker does the same until a link is found..."do tell, my grandmother's first cousin, Novaline, on her daddy's side married into the Wyndhams over in Smith County, bet those are some of your people." "Novaline!" I bet that's my great aunt Novy...I'll have to ask gramma next time I'm down at the home place." "Well, how's your gramma doing? Tell I send my regards." "I surely will. Would you believe she still keeps a full acre garden at 92; I swanny I hope to have so much vinegar when I'm her age.")
Once the link of relation or near relation (my great uncle's best friend was a Wyndham boy) is established and familial pleasantries exchanged, then any business at had can be tended to.