I researched my family tree over the course of many years. I was able to trace back my great grandmother's line all the way to somewhere around 80 AD. Which wasn't too hard when I discovered royalty in that line. They had this thing about keeping records

My 39th great grandfather was Charlemagne. Impressive huh? ROFL! But I loved seeing just where and when my ancestors "came over." All but that one line of my great grandmother were German. My grandfather's line couldn't be traced very far, as the family name was changed when there was great animosity against Germans.
I researched my in-laws family trees, and they were shocked to find out that "Big DayDay" was a union soldier and not a Confederate. My father-in-law was stunned. "I had a Yankee in my family tree!? I don't believe it!" LOL
It was also interesting how names would change or become "americanized." My great (x3) grandfather was born "Franz Muller" (u with oomlats over it) in Germany, and died as "Frank Miller" in Illinois.