Thanks so much for your response. Sorry I neglected to inform you that I am female and got the sample from my father. I also collected a sample from my mother and am waiting for the results. I will be unable to test the mt-DNA on my father's side as my paternal grandmother is deceased and there are no other direct relatives, besides an uncooperative aunt. Is there a DNA testing firm that is highly recommended for any future more indepth testing as well as explanations? AfricanAncestry was rather incomplete in their explanation. I have traced my ancestry to my paternal gr.grandfather Alex Brand who I found on the SC 1870 census listed as 30 years old. But that's where I hit a wall. So I thought I might as well try DNA testing. Now what?