Hi Brian, Life is really a mystery, a lot of times unfathomable. I don't know if the same happened with you, but I only came to discover my genealogy few years ago. From when I was child, I always had a very big fascination in knowing things the regarding my ancestors, and surprisingly to the wars, heroes, and any thing related to them they always sharpened me the curiosity. In the last year I discovered a genealogical study of my family remounting approximately to the year of 1550. Which was not my surprise when discovering that countless of my ancestors were military, and that names as von Mackensen, von Meckelnburg, von Beck and others were part of the history of my family. Many questions that I did me, finally had answers... Brian, congratulations for such illustrious ancestors! Otto