This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: emitchco Surnames: Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/surnames.akers/1261.1.1/mb.ashx Message Board Post: Thanks David. The problem is Hiram Akers natural father is unknown. Tolbert Akers reportedly adopted him after he married Hiram's mother Mary. Supposedly, a man named Berry fathered Hiram, but I have never seen any proof of that or even a clue. To solve this mystery, I believe the next step is to find a direct male Hiram Akers descendant to take a DNA test that we can compare with other results to see if he matches an Akers? Berry? or some other family. it has to be a father's father's father's type descent along the male line. I've done my testing through FamilyTree DNA. It's a simple cheek swab and only checks the male Y chromosone, which passes virtually unchanged from father to son for generations. There are several levels of testing and each step up is about $100. We could find a match right off the bat, or it could take several tries, or we may come up empty. But this is the latest cutting edge way to at least make progress on these brick walls, where documentation has! been impossible to find. Are you related to Hiram? By the way, it would also be great if we could get a male descendant of Tolbert also to confirm for sure that Hiram is not his natural son. Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board.