FRONT ROYAL — Laura Bentley caught a bug decades ago.

Though not contagious, the genealogy bug has stuck with her as she has dabbled in DNA connections and family research since before her 20th birthday.

“I keep finding surprises,” Bentley told the Genealogy Club at Samuels Public Library on Wednesday evening.

Gathered in Studio 330 for their monthly meeting, group members shared the triumphs and challenges of tracing family history while learning new techniques for preserving their heritage.

Beth Cypser said her genealogical pursuits started with a desire to understand the wider world.

“I spent my career with the Foreign Service overseas. I’ve seen people moving all over the place for various reasons and I wanted to see the socioeconomic reasons of why my ancestors left. That’s what

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