Hi, My name is Chris.  My interest in Ancestry started when I was in my 30s.  At that time I found out I was adopted.  It has been a roller coaster ride full of ups and downs.  But that bit of news was the catalyst that started me on my search for my ancestors.  With some help I found my birth family.  But then I became curious about the people in my adopted family.  I grew up with grandparents in my life, but really didn't know very much about them. I thought I knew what country they came from, but there was still many pieces missing. I discovered this is an ongoing process. 

There are so many sites out there that claim to have information but at a cost.  And since I'm just a poor old girl from Cleveland Ohio, I discovered YOU HAVE TO DIG FOR THE INFORMATION.  Thanks to the Freedom Information Act, we have access to information, but the question here is where is the information?

Over the years I have assisted several people in the search for ancestors and lost family members and friends. If I may be of any assistance to anyone feel free to get in touch with me. 

Heres a few websites to get you started on your search:

ancestry.com- Good site, but there is a cost for most of the vital information

familysearch.org-  I personally recommend this site.  It has alot of information that would be very difficult to find elsewhere. It has

                                  information on marriages, deaths,  (found relatives I never knew about at this site) One of the best sites out there in

                                  my humble opinion.

ellisisland.org- This is a good site for finding relatives who came here from other countries, I think that fits most of us.  LOL  This site

                             contains passenger information, ship manifests. 

These are just a few to get you started.  Since this is an open forum, please feel free to post additional sites that may be helpful.