Dear Cousins, As you know, I am going over files, rearranging things for the master index I'm making. Since my time was previously limited by going to school in my old age, a lot of things never made their way into my consciousness, let alone the webpage or list. Also, as people come and go on the list, all are not aware of the earlier framework, postings, etc. And, it appears that I have not communicated in other ways, too. So let me briefly restate some of my ideas and objectives of the list and webpages. It is my belief that while computer genealogy and research facilitation and resources provided by the internet are just about the greatest things to come along since sourdough pancakes. The problem is that computer and internet usage have quickly multiplied while basic genealogical methodology and comprehension has not. It is easy to use a computer. It is not so easy to grasp the nuances of sound genealogical practices and put it to work with the new technological tools. I formed American Crossroads out of desperation primarily because a surname group I had been associating with for a very long time had become corrupt in its genealogical representations and methodology. I attempted to work for change within the group, but I found that nothing could change because the people in the hierarchy were more interested in maintaining their position in the organization rather than properly collecting and disseminating truthful genealogical information. Finally, rather than considering whether my criticisms were on target, I was told to "shut-up" and when I didn't, I was "kicked off" the discussion list, and a few lies were told about this process as well! So much for that bit of shameful ancient history, but the beat goes on and on. As recently as a week ago that same group sought to link to some of my webpages without properly attributing them to me, ignoring my copyrights and subtly implying that I had some connection to their group! The information this organization puts out is beyond speculative, it is highly inaccurate, and yet is presented as fact. They are unable to verify the information because they have been collecting it for so many years in substandard ways that they have no idea where much of it came from or why something is stated to be a determinant of a particular lineage. Yet, unknowing people pay about $25 a year to be a member of this organization, without questioning the underpinnings or outlook of this group. Before there was so much of this kind of faulty information being generated from improper computer and internet usage, this same group was spreading false lineages within its printed material. In 1989, full of despair over straightening out my own lineage, I began anew. When life gives you lemons, make lemonade! It was the beginning of real genealogical enlightenment for me. I quit relying on the established research outlook of others, did my own original research, and increasingly found the "official" view was way off base. Now here's the point of all this: In re-inventing the wheel, I invented a better wheel. Not only did I discover new data, and started making new interpretations of it, I discovered that computers and the internet could be used for good not evil! There's an amazing amount of actual data available on the internet if you know how to seek it out and utilize it. And computer and internet tools are making it easier all the time. What is discouraging is that many people are still taken in by groups who simply refuse to embrace state of the art standards for genealogy in the same way they have embraced the mechanical and technological tools. I think the latest problem is DNA "studies" that are being undertaken. I have no idea what these cost, but it is clear to me that individuals will never obtain the results being suggested by this particular group. My own genealogical studies show that because of intermarriages, name changes, misspellings, poor transcriptions, faulty interpretation, etc. identification of families by surname is a very iffy thing. Quite frankly, attempting to ascribe people to one particular lineage within a surname seems statistically impossible to me given the inaccuracy of setting up and designating these lineages in the first place, as well as the small representation available for participation in such a "study." The basic problem is that I have found people of a surname marrying within the same kinship groups in widely different localities over several hundred years. How can these be relegated to a particular ancestor when it appears to me that even the most ancient immigrant ancestors were probably related??!! Brigham Young University is doing DNA studies and these will taken in huge numbers of persons, over several years. Here in Oregon, I have talked to Oregon Health Sciences University people who have expressed interest in my genealogical studies. I am not aware of studies that suggest similar methodology or results as this surname organization is touting. I think if DNA studies are presented as identifying a particular ancestor within a surname it is likely just one more distorted, although very up to the minute, state of the art attempt to remove people from their $$$$$. I'd like to hear from anyone who has a different take on this. Michael, you're a highly intelligent person whom I know is interested in DNA. What say you? Am I missing the point? Dick, I know you've participated in DNA testing, but it didn't attempt to pinpoint a specific lineage from what you've told me. Any comments? Anyone? Love, Your Cousin, Carolyn