There is an interesting article by Joanne Klimovich Harrop published in the Tribune-Review web site:

You have to be brave to search your genealogy.

Be aware that if you look into your family's past, there is a possibility you may find some information that you don't expect.

"Every family has a skeleton," said Donna Edwards-Jordan, a genealogist from North Huntingdon. "Everybody's gene pool could use a little chlorine from time to time. Some might find something awful and others might find something mildly embarrassing. Nobody is immune. It takes courage to face this stuff."

Lots and lots of people are working up this courage to take a deep dive into their past. Genealogy is often regarded as the second most popular hobby behind gardening.

People have been tracing their family trees for many years, but with technology, there can be a wider reach. Digital information can be retrieved from newspapers, websites geared toward this research, historical societies, genealogy clubs and organizations, and libraries.

Surrounding yourself with like-minded people is a positive when searching family history, said Ray Jones of Etna, a University of Pittsburgh professor and facilitator of the DNA special interest group for North Hills Genealogists.

Having others around you can help with resources and put you on a path to finding the information you are seeking. But be prepared for information you might not want to know.

"The risk is that there might be something that people in your family haven't talked about," said Jones, who has taught genealogy classes at Pitt. "Or sometimes what you find doesn't match up with the version you have been told."

For example, Edwards-Jordan said, you might discover your great-grandfather was not a war hero or you are not related to royalty or someone rich and famous.

Or you think you are 100% Italian, but you aren’t.