Spurred by the recent PBS show “African American Lives,” I asked my dad to get a DNA test from Relative Genetics for the Winslow family project (at my cost). Although the results were mixed, I am very glad he participated. My dad is the only son of an only son of an only son, and he has no sons. Since the test is done on Y-chromosomes, through the male line, once he is gone (he's 75), that's it. Now his DNA is in the "permanent record" so to speak.

So if you have ever thought about a DNA sample, go ahead and do it. Even if it doesn't help you, it might help someone else in the future.

Leslye Winslow