> In researching our roots, I find my Great Grandfather Philip > Showalter was adopted. I have only the surname of his natural > father, which is Winehold, and am currently trying to identify him > further. > > Genealogically speaking, am I a Winehold or a Showalter? Or equally > both? Or what? > > edroid <jshowalter@gmail.com> Technically, you are what you choose to be. Anybody can use any name they choose so long as it's not for illegal purposes. Since you show your name as Showalter I would assume that's the name all your male line ancestors used including GG Grandfather. Thus that's the name you inherited. Obviously genetically Winehold is in there but there are no laws forbidding you, or your ancestors, from using either. MickG Mick Gurling <mick01@verizon.net>