Alanametis - Regarding your message I find the insistence that some black people make that their white ancestry should be ignored very disturbing. If one is a genalogist, one must take all ancestry equally, however sordid and unpleasant it may seem... Thank you for your thoughtful remarks. I would add, that those of us seeking our white ancestors are not disregarding our black ones. Indeed, were it possible, I'm sure many of us would like to make pilgrimages to the motherland to find our true native roots. Unfortunately, it is only through identifying the white business men and traders who brought us here and the white families that owned us, that we can begin to forge those very illusive links to our true families of the past. Regardless of who Sally Hemmings "got it on with" or for that matter, who my own grandparents were obliged to sleep with, it is foolish to try and deny that these mixed liaisons did take place. How else are we to discover the truth!? I would ask the originator of the message below--(someone other than you)..... I find this obsession with White ancestors rather disturbing. It's sad that some black people attach so much more importance and status to the bloodlines of slave-owning rapists than to our African heritage. ...why are you on this list? Are you a genealogist, keenly interested in discovering our ancestoral history or or someone hell-bent on casting blame? If this kind of discussion offends you, perhaps you should not be on this list or even considering genealogical study at all. The skeletons for all of us will continue to be revealed, celebrated and/or reviled. But facts gives substance to the stories about our history and will lead many of us to those African roots you refer to. I for one would rather be enlightened. In the end, the truth--all of the truths--shall indeed set us free. Or would you just prefer to make it up as you go along as others have done for so many decades? AnnetteM Washington, DC Researching: HARPER, SPEED, LENNARD/LEONARD, GREENE, LANE, McLANE, and KROUSE--both white and black--all in AL counties.