Saturday, 23 February 2019.   My blog is cataloged as Scrapbooking. Yes that is my prime interest but the blog has turned into sort of a Journal: scrapbooking, Family and what interest me. For thirty-three years I have been a Family Historian. First, my interest was to document a Revolutionary Soldier so I could join Daughters of American Revolution. James McCleskey, my great-great-great-great grandfather was my first ancestor documented. His application for a pension said his father's Bible stated he was born in 1755 in Pennsylvania.
     When I started my family research, personal computers were not common and there was NO internet. My research was done mostly in Georgia, my mother was huge asset for Holt and Jackson research. Visits to National Archives in East Point, GA; Georgia Archives, downtown Atlanta and later Stockbridge; Fayette County Historical Society, Fayetteville; Clayton-Henry Historical Society, McDonough; many visits to cemeteries in both GA and AL; visiting family members that I discovered through snail mail. On and On, all before the Internet.  Now, the National Census for each state is easily searched on line through Ancestry.com.
     That brings me to current times. John and I and three sons and their wives have all had DNA test. After thirty years on research, I felt I would not find a single length to The Old World. Our ancestors had mostly immigrated to America in the early 1700s. If records kept, they are lost or haven't been published yet. Our DNA test show where our ancestors came from. Yes, they keep changing, as more and more people are tested, the results will become more accurate. But, today, they are best we have.
     Through research, I found my maiden name McCleskey to be Irish. I have even visited Dungiven, Ireland, our ancestral home. Another of my unusual (to me) names is Stalnaker, German.
     So here is my DNA history as of today (from Ancestry.com test): England, Wales and Northwestern Europe 78%: Norway 9%: Ireland and Scotland 8%; France 3%: European Jewish 2%: Sweden 1%.  My migration path  North Alabama Settlers and Southern States Settlers. I am happy to accept these countries. I was surprised to find 2% Jewish and only 8% Irish/Scotland. We have traveled to Europe many times and was well aware that the Norse men traveled all over Europe spreading their nationally.
     What I cannot accept is data published to Ancestry.com that has no Proof. It will take some time for the data entered to be proved or unproved.