Kinfolks: Falling Off the Family Tree Paperback – March 1, 2012

I ordered this book on a whim. My real interest was the author's account of the Hatfield and McCoy feud -- interest sparked by the recent History Channel presentation. I'd never heard of the Melungeons, but they sounded intriguing. And I wanted to learn more about DNA testing and its use in determining ancestry.I did not expect to receive such a charming and poignant read. Many sections of the book resurrected memories of my own childhood, also saturated with the flavor of the pioneer South, which was spent in rural South Georgia. Other parts of Kinfolks reminded me of visits to the Tennessee mountains -- trips that I'd like to take again someday. And the tale of the Melungeons is so cleverly interwoven into the fabric of the text -- which struck such a chord of reminiscence in my brain -- that I began to wonder if I, too, might be part Melungeon. The chances of that are scant, of course, since I have no blood ties to the state of Tennessee (but I do have roots in Virginia and Native American ancestors, if family legend is correct). I mention that just to illustrate the skillful way in which the author draws the reader into her story. And it is a fascinating story, although it's nonfiction. By the time you're really into the book, you'll want to start ordering DNA kits for yourself and your family -- although if you've had any exposure to census records, you'll think twice before you try to untangle those brain-boggling spiderwebs.History, mystery, travel, a bit of suspense -- historical anecdotes, humor galore, color in abundance -- this book has it all. It's not every day that one stumbles across a work of nonfiction that you can read as if it were a novel. I imagine I'll read Kinflicks and other works by this author, after I finish the Hatfield/McCoy saga, which I'm really looking forward to. (Get here, already!) And I'd like to see more books published by this gifted author. Her voice is a unique patch in the quilt of Americana.Definitely a five star read for historians (amateur and professional), students of the pioneer South, genealogists, culture-corner lovers -- and anyone who just likes a good book.

Had I been able to return this book I would have not reviewed it. I tried to get interested in the story but for me it was like being stuck in history class rather than reading a personal memoir. If history is your thing you might enjoy it. I gave up.

I loved every minute of this book! It was so witty, and so packed with facts. It’s always a lot of fun to find out how people got where they are, and how we’re all so connected.

The book has promise but jumped around so much, it was frustrating. I mean twice in a sentence, lots of sentences. I was very interested to read it, having relatives all over Appalachia, many from the exact region the author is from. And i did enjoy the message, just not the path to get there. My family roots are snake handling church of God and have many dark kinfolks who look Turkish. So from that angle, I persisted to finish the book, but it was tough to read

If you want to read a breezy memoir, this may be the book for you. If you want to know anything about Melungeons, look somewhere else. The topic is barely addressed in the book and much of what she does say is inconsistent with modern scholarship. DNA testing and analysis has progressed far beyond the tests taken by the author and her family. The 2006ish DNA results she reports are meaningless in 2022.

I found this book a good read. It provided useful information regarding the theories of Melungeon history and I found it helpful. I also enjoyed the humor the author used in sharing her personal journey in researching her family history however I did not enjoy her "preaching" her political views which I found unnecessary to the topic. For me, the book would have been much more enjoyable had she left out her personal prejudices which I found somewhat offensive.

If you wonder about your a ancestors you will enjogy this story. If not you should probably search else where.

I love this writer's style - and I've laughed out loud several times while reading it. If you read N.B. Kennedy's 'Melungeons' first, it will truly add to your reading pleasure. Thank you Lisa!! DJW