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Trace Your Roots with DNA

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Columnist James M. Beidler's remarks on Trace Your Roots with DNA: "Trace Your Roots with DNA makes what can be a complicated dose of science into simple and example-filled reading. In actuality, the book is appropriate for both genealogical beginners -- the primer chapter of family history basics is as clear as the other parts of the book -- as well as those who merely want to get up to speed with the impact of DNA on genealogy."
Read the full article here.
-- Lebanon Daily News, January 3, 2005

"Trace Your Roots" is more than a first-rate 'how to' book—it is a fascinating look at the history, importance, and future of genealogical DNA testing. Those who are new to the subject will learn everything they want to know, and professional genealogists will find a treasure trove of new information. This is a sensational book!"
— Andrew Carroll, editor of the New York Times bestseller, War Letters: Extraordinary Correspondence from American Wars

"Finally, a book on DNA from a genealogist's perspective. Trace Your Roots with DNA is very light and lively reading, and it explores the many surprising uses of genetic testing for roots-tracing. If you want to understand how to use DNA for genealogy, this is the book for you."
--Tony Burroughs, author of Black Roots: A Beginners Guide to Tracing the African American Family Tree

"Inviting and informative, this work presents an easily understood, yet wonderfully detailed explanation of a complex subject. From the well-written text and valuable sidebars to the excellent overall layout and presentation, Trace Your Roots with DNA is a significant contribution to the understanding of genetic testing in the context of genealogical endeavors. As interest in DNA testing for family heritage purposes continues to grow, the Smolenyak and Turner work will be essential to a complete understanding."
-- Curt Witcher, Manager, Allen County Public Library Historical Genealogy Dept.
Fellow, Utah Genealogical Society; Founding President, Indiana Genealogical Society; Former President, Federation of Genealogical Society; Former President, National Genealogical Society

From Publishers Weekly
"Genetic typing is the newest tool for amateur genealogists, and it's enthusiastically espoused by the experienced authors of this useful guidebook (Smolenyak is the lead researcher for PBS's Ancestors and the author of In Search of Our Past Ancestors; Turner contributes to the GENEALOGY-DNA mailing list). How does it work? By tracing one's "DNA heirlooms," the two forms of DNA that are passed on in a family from generation to generation. These "heirlooms" include genetic markers on the Y chromosome, passed on by fathers, and mitochondrial DNA, passed on by mothers. If it sounds hard to understand and do, the authors reassuringly offer clear explanations of the science and how to use it. DNA typing can tell you if you're related to someone with the same surname, pinpoint a certain ancestor and verify your other research. But, as the authors warn, it could also prove your previous assumptions wrong or uncover unwanted information, such as that a family member was adopted. If you have been researching your family's history and have unanswered questions, this enlightening book may offer some answers; at the very least, it will walk you through the benefits and drawbacks of DNA testing."
-- Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Honoring Our Ancestors

"Threads from so many wonderful stories are woven together here in a way that celebrates history, heritage, family, remembering, and recreating. In these pages one will find countless ties that link generations across time and continents. It's not only a book one will find hard to put down, it's a book one will find hard to read just once."
Curt B. Witcher
President, National Genealogical Society
Historical Genealogy Department Manager, ACPL

"What a sensational book! Megan has discovered some of the most amazing stories I have ever read, and she tells them with great passion, humor, and respect. Every family in America should have this book."
Andrew Carroll
Editor of the New York Times bestseller
War Letters: Extraordinary Correspondence from American Wars

"Megan Smolenyak Smolenyak (besides having the coolest name I've ever heard) is the guru, the pope, the beginning, the middle and the end of genealogy. And like all good gurus, she inspires the rest of us to find our own roots, to keep digging until we know our own story. This book is an important book for anyone who has ever had a mother, a grandmother or a great-grandmother. Make it part of your library now."
Pam Grout
Author of Art and Soul and Living Big

"I won't try to tell you why your personal heritage is important. Read this book and you'll understand."
Beau Sharbrough
President, GENTECH

"In Honoring Our Ancestors, Megan Smolenyak Smolenyak beautifully captures the significance of remembering our roots. You'll want to get out your heirloom scrapbooks and artifacts to discover your legacy, or create a new tradition in your family. Connect with your history; give yourself the gift of your past with this book.
Cynthia Brian
Author of Be the Star You Are! and co-author of Chicken Soup for the Gardener's Soul

One of the great shortcomings of America is that we idolize youth and minimize the value of the precious insight, intuition and wisdom our elders have to offer. The stories Megan shares in Honoring Our Ancestors give me hope that more of us are waking up to all we have to gain by paying attention and tribute to our forebears. By looking to the past, we can craft a better future.
Gerald Celente
irector of The Trends Research Institute
Author of Trend Tracking, Trends 2000 and What Zizi Gave Honeyboy

In Search of Our Ancestors

"This collection of stories is sure to inspire readers in exploring the branches of their own family trees"
Publishers Weekly

"Some of the stories are absolutely amazing, and I plan to keep this book around for those times when I feel I am spinning my wheels! It is a guaranteed pick-me-up."
Juliana Smith, Ancestry Daily News

"The book is heartwarming to read even for nongenealogists."
Joan Griffis, The News-Gazette (Champaign, IL)

"My granddaughter gave me a copy of In Search of Our Ancestors for Mother's Day. I read each story and just could not put the book down until I had read them all!"
reader

"Megan's book is akin to eating sherbet as a mid-meal course to 'cleanse the palate.' After heavy servings of dry books, microfilm screens, and deciphering old handwriting and even older land records, In Search of Our Ancestors brings variety to the genealogist's usual reference fare and lifts the researcher's spirits"
Carole Osborne Cole, Columns (International Society of Family History Writers & Editors)

"nominated for a Virginia Literary Award"
The Library of Virginia

"A delightful volume of personal stories about why people do genealogy, and their experiences of climbing their family tree . . . you'll enjoy this book."
Nancy Hendrickson, AncestorNews

"Other than the Bible, I don't think I have had a book impact my life quite like Megan Smolenyak Smolenyak's In Search of Our Ancestors."
Natalie Castro Coleman, Fairfax Genealogical Society Newsletter

"...this collection is designed to simply share the warmth and surprises that genealogical research can bring if you stick with the hunt, keep your sense of humor, and listen to your heart."
- Jill Lightner, Amazon.com

"My husband read the whole book that afternoon!"
reader

They Came to America

"The growing popularity of family genealogy is a true cultural phenomenon. More than just a hobby, it is becoming a new American enterprise, with families at its core. While the Internet has made historic records more accessible than ever, the sheer number of websites and resources can be overwhelming to the beginner. They Came to America provides a valuable ‘how-to' guide for taking the steps to bringing your own personal family tree to life - connecting the past with the present for future generations."
- Stephen A. Briganti, President and CEO, The Statue of Liberty-Ellis Island Foundation, Inc.

The Oklahoman, 26 April 2004, "Book Facilitates Finding Immigrant Ancestors" by Sharon Burns. Free registration is needed to read the article. Click on the 2-26-2004 article.