Hi Raymond: Thanks for your comments on the subject matter. Other comments on the subject have also been quite positive. I hope you don't mind me posting your reply on the Cloud Family Association board so that others may know more about this important research tool. I hope to be able to attend the CFA meeting in July. However, it depends on my wife's health, which has been slowly getting worse during the past five years. She has Alzheimer's, is legally blind, can't hear too well and has other ailments from time to time. Tom King, Sr. Sterling, VA. ---------------------------------------- Hi Tom: I have had my Shirley family DNA tested by the Houston group and I am quite pleased with the results. I had the 25 marker test. It was done through my Shirley family association. The benefit from the test increases exponentially with an increase in the number of male Cloud family members from different branches who will agree to take the test. You can get an idea of how the DNA tests can help in identifying ancestors by logging on to <http://www.shirleyassociation.com> Click on the DNA link and follow the links. I am sample No. 8579. I hope to see you in July for the CFG2004. Ray RAYMOND SHIRLEY SR. rshirley@icx.net ----------------------------------------------