I've toyed with the idea of doing DNA testing in hopes of obtaining information that'd help break through my paternal-line brickwall. It seems to me, though, that DNA results are ambiguous at best - they can tell when you share a common ancestor with another person but can't tell you even so much/little as the generation - you merely identify another person in the male line of descent from the ur-grandfather. I don't see that kind of result as justifying the testing fees. OK, those are MY negatives. I understand the mechanism, I think, and see the drawbacks and seriously wonder whether the cost is justified. There's bound to be somebody out there, though, who has a success story, and that's what I'm looking for. Anybody? You signed up, paid the (exorbitant) fee, got the results and made a significant breakthrough you would not otherwise have made. I don't want recommendations for Service A vs Service B - if that's what you have to offer, don't bother replying. I'm not looking for an argument about affordability - that's an individual thing and is also of no interest. I AM interested in your success stories - years of searching without result, did the DNA bit, got the guy with the ancestor in common and, voila!, the wall came tumbling down! As you can tell, I'm not convinced DNA testing is the answer to "every maiden's prayer", but I'm willing to be convinced. Help? Thanks, Surly Ol' Bob -- Robert G. Melson | Rio Grande MicroSolutions | El Paso, Texas ----- A government big enough to give you everything you want is big enough to take away everything you have. Thomas Jefferson Bob Melson <amia9018@mypacks.net>