This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: CelesteHolly51 Surnames: Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/surnames.lawson/6897.1/mb.ashx Message Board Post: Do you have any place names? There is also a DNA bank that is being built for African American DNA - DNA is about the best way to find heritage out of Africa. Have you seen the PBS and Ancestry TV specials on tracing black heritage? I do not know the name of the African American DNA data bank/project but you should be able to find it on Google or somewhere online. Those TV specials could be accessed through PBS - they worked on Oprah's ancestry and some others, and the other was "Who do you think you are?" A program sponsored by Ancestry - it was on either NBC or ABC - NBC, I think. Those stations might have those programs available on their websites. It would give you some clues how to start - they did Emmit Smith and Spike Lee's ancestry/genealogy. If they were fathered by a white Lawson the yDNA might match someone on the Lawson family tree DNA site. You might have to yous mitochondrial/female DNA to trace back to Africa. That is what is usually used. Hope that helps, Celeste Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board.