I am not a novice at family history and genealogy. In fact, I started researching my family back when Alex Haley's Roots was published. It was so inspiring, then and now, to know that someone succeeded at what I was trying to do - discover my African heritage.

Over the years I have made some amazing discoveries. I found ancestors who fought in the Revolutionary War, ancestors who were slaves and those who were slave-owners. I have learned of my English, Irish, German and, according to family stories, Native American roots. For all my efforts, though, I am no closer to documenting my African heritage than I was when I started family research over 30 years ago.

My goal has always been to learn about my African ancestors. I realize that I may never know their names and the facts of their lives. It is my dream, though, to learn as much as possible about where they came from - my people who were brought here in chains but who left me a legacy of freedom. The opportunity to win DNA testing is the chance to fulfill this dream.