What began as a simple quest to find her great-grandmother's birth certificate led author Elena A. Gomez to discover information beyond her dreams. In Kingdoms Within , she shares the story of growing up as a twin in Chicago, her experiences visiting relatives in northern Mexico and Texas as a child, and the search for her great-grandmother's birth certificate. This memoir chronicles the events of Elena's life as a child to adulthood, with special attention given to her family history and background. The tale begins with her search for her great-grandmother's birth certificate, carrying on a mission begun by her grandfather. That quest, requiring both persistence and faith, takes Elena to extraordinary places during her life. Filled with detailed recollections and vivid depictions of her memories, Kingdoms Within delves into Elena's heritage as a Mexican-American and tells about what she learns about her roots.