There's no shortage of materials available on how to search for your family's genealogical records--deciding whether the search is worth your time, however, is another matter. In Search of Our Ancestors, a printed companion to the PBS series Ancestors, is filled with stories, more than 100 of them, each supplying a different answer to the question, "Why search?" No story is longer than a few pages, but most are such touchingly personal tales that you may find yourself reading just one or two at a time--unless you're in the mood for a good cry. The photo of a great-great-great grandmother's "free pass" (that proved she was not a slave) and its accompanying story of being made into a medal and touring the country during the bicentennial is a definite tearjerker, as are the multiple stories of lives being saved through families passing on information about genetically inherited diseases. To lighten the mood a bit, laugh along with the researcher who discovered his wife was also his fifth cousin, or with the fellow who managed to ruin his family's tales of famous ancestors, uncovering a war deserter instead. A few stories have relevant research information at the end--all for specific organizations--but the book isn't aimed at your practical side. More than anything, this collection is designed to simply share the warmth and surprises that genealogical research can bring if you stick with the hunt, keep your sense of humor, and listen to your heart. --Jill Lightner