Bill Griffeth

CNBC anchor Bill Griffeth shares the story of his family's history in this short and highly readable volume. The author used sources from books to original records to the Internet in compiling his work, but the reader can tell that he has done his homework and that he has documented his research instead of simply relying on undocumented published trees. He has made extensive use of published local histories, some published family histories, church histories, church records, and religious show more works in bringing his ancestors to life. The author traveled to many of the places where his ancestors resided in order to understand their lives, and his experiences in these places are interwoven into the narrative in a way that does not detract from the story. I often read books written by journalists and am completely disappointed in them, but this is one book that far exceeded my expectations. The author's religious heritage is varied -- from the Puritans of Massachusetts, many of whom later became Congregationalists, to the Dutch Reformed and Presbyterians of New York, to Methodists, to the Christian Church, and even to the Catholic Church. As I read some of his narratives, I was certain that many of his Massachusetts ancestors probably knew some of my own ancestors because of the experiences that they shared, even though their names were never mentioned. Griffeth has done us a great service by producing a book that demonstrates the incorporation of local, social, and religious history along with the data genealogists collect to make ancestors come alive. I borrowed this from a friend, but I will definitely be purchasing my own copy as it is one that I want to own. show less

Family history, travel narrative, and Protestant church history -- when I saw a book that combined them all, I knew I had to read it. Bill Griffeth traces his family's journey from Puritan Norfolk in England to the temporary settlement of the Pilgrims in the Netherlands, then on to the Massachusetts Colony where subsequent generations became Congregationalists. His Presbyterian ancestors settled in New Amsterdam, soon to become New York. He tells of his Methodist circuit riding ancestor and show more the hardships he endured. He ends his journey in the plains states of Kansas and Nebraska with his Catholic, Methodist, and Christian Church ancestors.

The author succeeds at putting his ancestors in a broader historical context. Even though I share no ancestors with him (as far as I know), I had ancestors who lived in the same locations and were affected by the same historical events. I thought of my own ancestors and their journeys as I read. I was also slightly envious of the author because of all the places he was able to visit. Maybe one day I'll be able to make my own family history tour! show less

Journalist Bill Griffeth took a Y-DNA test, discovering he did not match his cousin's haplotype or that many markers. They asked the lab to process the sample again, achieving the same result. Convinced the lab must have mixed up samples, he purchased a test from another company and had his brother test with the first company. His brother matched the cousin, but he did not. Griffeth's story was absorbing, and I'm amazed at how much he was able to control his own emotions and consider how his show more decisions would affect others. As genealogy educators, those of us who talk about DNA to other groups always advise prospective testers to be prepared for unexpected results. This book reinforces this in a manner everyone can appreciate. I'm doing a presentation in less than a week, and I'm going to make certain I encourage prospective DNA testers to read it. It's a quick and relatively short read. Highly recommended. show less

Genealogy is a serious hobby for CNBC news anchor Bill Griffeth. A number of years ago, he wrote By Faith Alone, which explores the history of his Griffeth forebears through the lens of their religious faith. A genealogical DNA test shook his sense of identity when it unexpectedly revealed that he was not, in fact, a Griffeth. This memoir chronicles Griffeth’s journey from denial through acceptance of the stranger who provided half of his DNA.

This book shares many similarities with Dani show more Shapiro’s outstanding memoir, Inheritance. Griffeth and Shapiro’s DNA surprises are not uncommon, and both of their memoirs might be helpful reading for others who’ve suddenly found themselves in the same boat. show less