family tree

one night across the table (over a game of farkle...oh yeah) amanda asked me where my family originally came from and then proceeded to map out her own family history. i have to say that i was a little dumbfounded and lost. it occurred to me at that moment that i had not the slightest idea from where my family has come...my own heritage is somewhat lost to me. again last night, over dinner with susanna and her family, i was asked from what countries my ancestors originated. i thought, is the usa an option? have i really never thought to ask? normally i would just say...they are from rural north carolina, but that is just skiming the surface i am realizing. did some of them live in germany, england or where? what did they do? did they live financially well or did they escape to the states barely making it? why did they come? what were they like? what were the things that made them feel alive? i intend to look for answers to these questions....why? i'm not sure except to say, i'm curious. i want to know where i came from.