| I don't know about you, but I've always been | | | | site deals with ancestors from Ohio, but you can |
| interested in my past. My way past, that is. That | | | | find similar pages for other states and countries |
| past that was even before I was born. Well, of | | | | by doing a basic internet search. |
| course I'm talking about my ancestors. Those | | | | DNA Testing |
| very people who had a part in making me who I | | | | Want to go even more high tech? Many people |
| am today. | | | | have turned to DNA tests to determine where |
| It used to be the search for my heritage took | | | | their ancestors are from. A simple swab of the |
| me to the library where I had to spend countless | | | | inside of one's cheek (yep, just like they do on |
| hours combing through books seeking information | | | | CSI) can yield DNA which will be compared with |
| about my ancestors. But, today, there are so | | | | other's DNA. Two types of DNA testing are Y |
| many more resources available for genealogy | | | | chromosome testing (Y-DNA) and mitochondrial |
| research. Let's take a look at three such | | | | DNA testing. The Y -DNA tests look at paternal |
| resources you should consider, both high tech and | | | | lineage while the mitochondrial DNA looks at |
| low tech. | | | | maternal lineage. |
| The Internet | | | | Such tests can be used to determine such things |
| The internet has certainly simplified genealogy | | | | as: which present-day African country you share |
| research. You no longer have to take a trek to | | | | your ancestry; which European maternal clan you |
| the library and sit next to someone with strong | | | | share ancestry; percentage of Native American |
| perfume or cologne to find information about | | | | ancestry. |
| your ancestors. | | | | Oral History |
| What kind of information can you find on the | | | | From the extreme high tech to the extreme low |
| internet? | | | | tech. While it's true some stories get distorted |
| Surname Search | | | | over many tellings, you still should talk to as many |
| Birth Records | | | | relatives as possible to get clues to your |
| Death Records | | | | genealogy. Oral histories can give you information |
| Marriage Records | | | | that no DNA test or records search will offer. |
| Census Records | | | | Oral histories, along with giving you information to |
| Cemetery Records | | | | then research through the internet, can also give |
| Military Records | | | | you the family "color." Oral histories make your |
| While searching on the internet you have the | | | | heritage come alive and become more colorful. |
| choice of using a paid service, or numerous free | | | | Maybe you have a horse thief in your family's |
| services, many specific to states or counties. For | | | | past. Now, nobody would want a car thief in their |
| example, if you're interest in Birth, Death and | | | | family now. But a horse thief in your family past |
| Marriage records for ancestors from West | | | | who lived before the Civil War? Well, that's just |
| Virginia, you can go to and do a free search of | | | | interesting. |
| their records. Many other states, counties and | | | | Remember to organize all your information so |
| historical societies have similar websites. | | | | that someday you can pass it down to future |
| Another way to utilize the internet is to visit | | | | generations as well. You might want to purchase |
| genealogy communities or forums. Perhaps | | | | some genealogy software which can help organize |
| someone else is researching the same people, or | | | | and publish your information. |
| knows someone who is. One such site is where | | | | Remember, your past is a part of who you are |
| people have links to their personal genealogy | | | | today. Of course, your future is up to you. |
| pages, as well as a link to a genealogy forum. This | | | | |