Now that you mention the DNA piece Virginia......I feel it sad if that was the case! We have a Smothers DNA project in progress, with already 3 results which have just been wonderfully outstanding! Without this bit of info....we might not know now where to look for our illusive 5th generation grandfather to our Pappy Smeathers...and OHHHH, we have looked so long. Our great lst match was to my brother and a cuz in Tx from another Smothers living here in Wa, oddly....and he is fr the Smither line of PA, which I have longed kind of thought our Pappy Smeathers might be connected. The DNA match confirmed it, so now we know where to look! Its absolutely wonderful this genetic DNA! and its only for genealogy purposes too! We still have 8 more results to come in and we sit on pins and needles in anticipation! I can't say enough good things abt this wonderful new technology for us that have had road blocks on our ancestors for so long. Nena From: Virginglove@webtv.net (Ginger) Well, David, it seems to us when the subject "DNA" came into the notes, so many were against even the thought of it and some started wanting out of the message part. It just seemed to snowball! Just a thought...maybe I am wrong ..>Ginger _________________________________________________________________ MSN 8 helps eliminate e-mail viruses. Get 2 months FREE*. http://join.msn.com/?page=features/virus
One thing I have often wondered about all my ancestors is: what got them on the boats to America? I put myself in their place and believe I would have been scared. In the case of our Statler emigrants, they were to get on a ship owned and run by Englishmen who to them were foreigners. The farmers and tradesmen of the Rhineland probably never met and Englishman. They must of heard from previous emigrants that the voyage could be very difficult. As bad as life can get, the prospect of going to an unknown place takes some courage. Obviously they overcame their fear. My efforts trace the paths of these people are mostly to satisfy my own curiosity but partly to honor their courage. I plan to use conventional genealogy as well as DNA to find the origins of these people. No one is obliged to help who doesnt wish to. I do thank those who have volunteered their DNA, as of today I have six volunteers and results will start coming in soon. Ill let you know when I get my web site up. Sandy