I just started my family research in January of this year, and hit the wall already on James Pate. Looks like others have hit the same wall. I just found the DNA Study this week, and am still trying to understand it. Hopefully, reading through the list archives will give me a better understanding of the Pate lines and how the DNA is helping to confirm previous research. When you don't know any thing about the work done by others, the lines can be confusing. Familiarity will come with time and study, I expect. Thanks for providing so much great stuff to read!! Fortunately, I live close to the area where James and Rosanna lived out their later years, and opportunities for local research exist. I also have a relative who is a prominent Arkansas genealogist/historian--just found this out recently, too, when researching another family line. He may have some knowledge or be able to point me in the right direction. I hope to go to Muhlenberg KY in the spring. Has anyone done traditional research on the Pate family in Muhlenberg? I would like to hear about it. A couple of interesting notes about James and Rosanna Brown Pate. They married a short time after (1839) and very near (Muhlenberg, KY) one of the Trail of Tears routes (Christian Co, KY). Could they have been "force marched" like my grandpa insisted some relatives were? No, not James, based on DNA study. What about Rosanna? There were no other Pates or Browns living close to them on the 1850 census--none. Seems very unusual--and private. It's got me very curious... Looking forward to reading and learning more and meeting more Pates, Tami,