(Me and my tapes!!) This is a very interesting subject to me, and there are a few tapes out from Repeat Performance (made at big genealogy conventions by experts on the subject) on the subject of genetics, DNA and genealogy. One of the very most interesting topics is that of research being done on maternal line ancestry. It involves mitochondrial DNA (not the nuclear DNA)--the little bits that float within the cell. Theory: This DNA does not change or alter in sexual reproduction like the DNA in a cell nucleus does (half mom/half dad). While there is always a possibility of occasional mutation in it, nevertheless, it remains generally the same through the maternal line, because the mitochondrial DNA all comes from the mother, as I understand it. (Men would have the same MTC DNA as their mothers, maternal grandmothers, gr grandmothers, etc. but would not pass it on to their children.) These researchers believe that if you have two people descended from the same great-great-great-great grandmother or further back, [descended through a maternal line only], their MTC DNA should match. If it doesn't, there is either an error in tracing the line, or remote possibility, a mutation. Evidently there is a pronounced difference between unrelated people. Whether or not they're taking registrants to participate in their research or not, I don't know. I thought it to be quite interesting however. Karen