About 15 or 16 years or so back I got into a real diehard family research mode. For those that are doing this and those that have done this, it needs no explaining, it is extremely consuming. I'm from the south (NC) and am a history buff of sorts. I have read quite a bit from the pre revolution period through Reconstruction. I wanted to know if I had ancestors that fought for the Confederacy. I was blown away at how many did indeed fight for the CSA. They were all from North Carolina. It is amazing how much information is out there if you start digging. One of my ancestors was wounded on the first day at Gettysburg, another died just north of Richmond as a result of "grapeshot." I actually uncovered a picture of this guy in the archives and several letters he had written to his wife leading up to the Battle of Fredericksburg. I have since visited several grave sites of my ancestors that fought. Again, there is so much out there if one will dedicate the time to find it.