The author, Lori Erickson decided to test her DNA to discover her heritage through a simple home-collected sample. This step soon launched her journey to walk the lands of her ancestors, from the fjords of Norway and the bleak coast of Newfoundland to the small Iowa Norwegian-American town where she grew up and the farm of her great grandfather., "The Soul of the Family Tree" seeks to show us how the spirits of our ancestors can guide us today. Lori Erickson is one of America's top travel writers, specializing in spiritual journeys. Her writing has appeared in many national newspapers, magazines and other periodicals.