Bit by bit, question by question, answer by answer... I'm starting on a quest to rediscover my family, heritage, and people. It's not easy by any means, when nobody paid attention, or felt like it was worthy of note.

Sadly, up until last year, I numbered among those. I didn't much care who my great-grandfather was, or who my mom's dad was. The lines were so unclear that I didn't want to mess with untangling the strings of connections and branches. My daughter, bless her heart, made a comment that kind of smacked me across the jaw with something that rang true in my own heart.

"I'm not REAL sure who I am, because I only know my mom's family."

I guess we're in the same boat, aren't we baby-girl?

So today, with an interview that seemed more like an interrogation, I've begun my search. My mom's people... My dad's people. Heaven knows I could use some help. JP Morgan Chase knows, I'm a little bit broke, so I'm kinda leery of genealogy websites and professional services.

Anybody knowledgeable about all this stuff got a few bones for a mutt dawg??