DNA - Genealem's Genetic Genealogy: April 2017

20 April 2017

Living DNA - Launches Project in Germany

Living DNA has launched a project to determine identifying patters of DNA within Germany and surrounding regions. They have partnered with Germany’s largest genealogical society, Verein für Computergenealogie e.V. (CompGen) which has 3,700 members. Living DNA, a European based company is seeking individuals with four grandparents all born within 80 kilometers (50 miles) of each other.

Comments from the two companies:

David Nicholson of Living DNA:

“It’s a great honour to work with CompGen on this project, they have a vast understanding of the complex population structures of Germany and surrounding regions and we are all excited to see the results of the project”.

Dr. Tobias Kemper, genetic genealogist working for CompGen, says:

“We are thrilled to be working on this project which will show how the history of middle Europe – from the Roman Empire through the middle ages and the early modern period – until now has left traces within German DNA and their regional distribution.

The press release further states:

The project’s aim is to map the genetic structure of contemporary Germany and surrounding

eastern regions (Silesia, Posen, Pomerania, East and West Prussia), which have been part of

Germany prior to WWI, with a special focus on the former eastern provinces (now part of Poland and Russia).

Those who qualify with the location of their grandparents would receive the test for only €89 + return postage (RRP €159), which includes lifetime membership to Living DNA.

Those who quality, but have already had their DNA tested with another company can transfer free of charge and have a complimentary lifetime membership to Living DNA.

For more detail see: https://www.livingdna.com/en-gb/press-releases/255/new-dna-project-aims-map-germany-s-genetic-history

So, let’s get to testing!

Best wishes,

Emily

Family Tree DNA's National DNA Day Sale

The National DNA Day Sale has begun! Spread the news! Order today!

The promotion ends at 11:59 pm Central Time on Thursday, April 27th.

NOTE: Upgrades are not included.

Remember: The more people who test, the more cousins we find!

Happy DNA Day!

Best wishes,
Emily

04 April 2017

Family Tree DNA Updates myOrigins

Family Tree DNA has exciting news! The long-awaited update to myOrigins is now available.

The major points include:

1. Increased reference populations from 18 to 24, including the long-awaited Sephardic population, which is under the Jewish Diaspora category (see below).

2. Updated design that includes an interactive landing page with the tester's percentages, which when clicked will display a description of that population. There will also be a separate list of all populations with those present highlighted in addition to the map with the Trace percentages are now available. Those populations found to be less than 2% of the person's makeup show as<2 nbsp="" span="">

4. The page resizes to be compatible with mobile devices.

5. The database has already been re-run, so when the switch is flipped, customers will be able to see the updates.

24 myOrigins Population Clusters

African
            East Central Africa
            West Africa
            South Central Africa

Central/South Asian
            South Central Asia
            Oceania
            Central Asia

East Asian

Northeast Asia

Southeast Asia
Siberia

Europe
West and Central Europe

            East Europe
            Iberia
            Southeast Europe
            British Isles

Finland
Scandinavia

Jewish Diaspora

Sephardic Diaspora
            Ashkenazi Diaspora
Middle Eastern
            East Middle East
            West Middle East

Asia Minor
            North Africa
New World
            North and Central America

South and Central America

FTDNA is working on a piece for the Learning Center about the update, including detailed descriptions of the populations on the list above.

Enjoy!
Emily

Welcome to My Genetic Genealogy Blog

To Order at DNA test kit from FTDNA through this blog

...1. Click on the FTDNA icon search button (above).
...2. Enter the _(your surname here)_ surname in the upper right where it says: SEARCH
...3. On the next page, click on the surname you chose in #2.
...4. Follow any instructions. Scroll to the bottom of the page and click on JOIN.

NOTE: If you are not certain there is a DNA project for your surname or if you are only testing your mtDNA (female line), put the name of an area such as CAMPANIA in the search field or wait until you receive your results and locate your haplogroup. The Campania area project is not one of my projects, but I will find you an appropriate project when your results arrive.
..........You want to join through a project to get the cheapest rates.

...........Email me if you have questions before you order your test.

Presentations

.....Presentations for both the Genetic Genealogy and for the writing sessions are normally two hours, but can be adapted. I prefer an computer projector for with a screen and a table for displaying my DNA book and/or writing booklet.
.....Your group can photocopy the handouts or I will do so for $.05 per side. If speaking within the general area of Portland, Oregon I do not charge for mileage or travel expenses. Outside of the general Portland area, I do require the IRS amount of $.56 per mile. If I need to stay over night, a motel room or staying with a non-smoking female will be necessary.
.....Although, as a member of the International Society of Genetic Genealogists (ISOGG), I cannot ask for a speaker's fee for the Genetic Genealogy presentations, but I can accept an honorarium. This is not the case with the writing classes. $75 is the standard.
Email: aulicino@hevanet.com

Recommendations and Compliments

Genetic Genealogy

"Emily Aulicino is one of the most dynamic people I know. Her energy and enthusiasm has helped make Oregon the largest member per capita region in all of ISOGG. Emily’s educator background is apparent and complimentary to her speaking engagements which create a presentation that is easy-to-understand for any novice. Her reputation has made her an immensely popular speaker throughout the Pacific Northwest which has resulted in nationwide requests. Emily is a proven leader who welcomes a challenge. She manages many people and projects with skill and ability that can only be innate. I have the utmost confidence that Emily will excel at any task presented to her and I look forward to many more years working with her."
-------Katherine Borges, Director of the International Society of Genetic Genealogy (ISOGG)

Unsolicited Comments:

Barbara in Washington wrote:
I just wanted to touch base with you and tell you how impressed I was with your lectures today. They were fun and up, and you were able to explain the DNA process to me in terms that I could understand.

"Memoing" My Memories - Unsolicited Testimony

Rhonda in Oregon writes:
The writing tip you gave us Thursday is great! I went right to my stash of journals (I have trouble journaling, but love the books!), and made a page for every year since my birth year.
I’m very excited to start writing my memories down. Thanks again for a fantastic tip!!

Anne in Michigan writes:
"So many times I have sat down and tried to write out my life's story. I got so bored with myself that I never got more than a few pages done. This method has totally changed my outlook and has renewed my lifelong interest to write about my life so that my children will have something to remember me by.
I am psyched, pumped and ready to go now!”

Beth in Texas writes:
“I am finding the topics very helpful in writing about things I would have never thought about before. These topics give me an opportunity not to dwell on the unhappy times in my life, and remember some of the less important, but memorable topics that I'd like to pass on to my children. I'll still write about unhappy times, but they will be sprinkled in with other memories.”

Jan in Kentucky writes:
“Emily, you do so very much for so many, and it is so appreciated! You also have broken my writing block, and I appreciate that...if not for you, I don't know that I would have had the heart to return to it. You truly are doing a lot of good with that list of yours and the effects will be known for years and generations for so many. I think sometimes we just need to tell you that.”

Bob in Sherwood, Oregon writes:
THANKS to you I started writing my "story" last Friday. If it wasn't for you I probably wouldn't have started it. It's all your fault...You, You, "Inspirator", You! Telling us
to write in "pictures". If I started it prior to your presentation it would have begun... "I was born on October 29, 1944 in Jamestown, New York". Needless to say you had a GREAT impact on my writing.

Bill in New Jersey writes:
Just a short note to says thanks to you, Emily, for the prompts. I especially like the way in which you write the suggestions to go along with the prompts.

Books About Childhood Memories and Family Stories

As most of you know I seldom read fiction, and as a result, I am interested in books that are historical in nature and/or tell the stories of people's lives. The following list is some books that I have read which are by people I know, people who are related to me, people I have met, and people with whom I've corresponded for a time. Proudly, I have each author's autograph, and I'm beginning to think of this as a new collection/hobby of mine! .

Each of these stories have great struggles and challenges. Some are of childhood while others occurred when the author was an adult. I hope that you will find them interesting as I have. They are truly a slice of our American Life!