DNA - Genealem's Genetic Genealogy

I Know Who You Are by Barbara Rae-Venter

noreply@blogger.com (Genealem) — Mon, 06 Feb 2023 04:51:00 +0000

I realize I have been delinquently about posting to my blog, but this book has given me cause to shine a light on a very, very important person in the field of genetic genealogy and Investigative Genetic Genealogy. I highly recommend this book.

I Know Who You Are by Barbara Rae-Venter

In 1990, CODIS (Combined DNA Index System) was a pilot project of the FBI established to create a National DNA Index for law enforcement. CODIS became fully operational in 1998, but is limited since its data is composed of information from previously convicted felons, felony arrestees, missing persons, and unidentified human remains. Sadly, many crime scene DNA specimens do not provide a match to CODIS.

However, through public databases, DNA has become important in solving cold cases. Autosomal DNA has been used since 2009 by genealogists to find their cousins. Today it is being used more and more to help law enforcement solve violent crimes and identify human remains. The methodology used in determining the name of the Golden State Killer has evolved into a new field called Investigative Genetic Genealogy (IGG).

In her book, I Know Who You Are, Barbara Rae-Venter takes us on a journey to show how the events of her life assisted her in doing Investigative Genetic Genealogy and in solving cold cases. The book’s central plot is about the Golden State Killer, but covers other cold cases Barbara has solved, as well. And, she tackles the ethical dilemma of allowing law enforcement access to public databases to solve crimes. Barbara has graciously provided a glossary for those who are not familiar with the terminology for genetic genealogy (the use of DNA for genealogy).

Miraculously, the Golden State Killer was determined in 63 days after his DNA profile was uploaded to a public database. It had been forty years since his last crime. The various investigators over those years had worked many thousands of hours at great expense to the state of California. Luckily, the medical examiner who took a DNA swab of one victim was wise enough to take two swabs which was not required of him. This second pristine swab helped Barbara use her resources to get enough DNA to begin matching that DNA from the perpetrator with others in public databases. Not only does the book provide us with some horrific statements from the victims and family of the victims at the hearing and sentencing, but she recounts how DeAngelo behaved during these times and that it was an act.

Barbara was raised in New Zealand and came to America at the age of twenty. She first became involved with genealogy and then genetic genealogy. She soon volunteered to help adoptees find their birth parents. Her skills as a patent attorney (now retired) assisted her to look outside the box, as we say. Barbara is tenacious, and as she wrote in her book, she believes “everyone deserves their name.” She has given names, and often faces, to long-unidentified victims.

I first met Barbara in London in 2013 at the Who Do You Think You Are? Conference. Our group was touring Darwin’s home when Barbara and I first conversed. We met again at the Southern California Genealogy Society’s conference in June 2018, and she told me then that she had determined Joseph James DeAngelo was the Golden State Killer. Barbara’s name was not made public at that time due to her wishes to stay anonymous, but her book provides the reasons why she later decided to share her name. Sadly, one reason was due to another genetic genealogist claiming to have found the Golden State Killer.

After DeAngelo was taken into custody, April 2018, I had the privilege of having Barbara speak to my local genealogy society, March 30-31, 2019. As she stayed at my home, we had time to become more acquainted with each other. Not only is Barbara brilliant, she is very humble and gracious.

One of the cases in her book, The Bear Brook Murders in Allenstown, New Hampshire, was a thirty-year-old cold case solved by Barbara in 2017. This was the first time in history that U.S. Law Enforcement used autosomal DNA from a rootless hair sample to solve a crime, and the first time that genetic genealogy was used to gain the identity of a living criminal. Barbara was responsible for both techniques being used, and she found the killer just a few days after the DNA profiles were determined.

Through her actions, Barbara Rae-Venter has transformed how law enforcement solves crimes. We owe much to her! Thank you, Barbara, for all you do to help victims and their families find some peace.

I do hope you enjoy the book as much as I did!

Emily

Southern California Genealogy Society's 2021 Virtual Jamboree

noreply@blogger.com (Genealem) — Sat, 10 Apr 2021 20:55:00 +0000

Registration is open, and there are two tracks and multiple ways to choose the lectures you desire. AND, what is great about it...you can view the lectures more than once for several months. Each track as well-known speakers, including Internationally known speakers and some from other countries.

See: GenealogyJamboree.com

The Genetic Genealogy track is June 4 and 5 (Friday and Saturday. The STANDARD Registration includes 6 liver lectures and 10 recorded lectures of your choice. The PLUS Registration gives you access to all 20 recorded lectures! These lectures can be viewed through October 3, 2021!

Join me for my presentation on Autosomal DNA: Finding Common Ancestors with or without a Chromosome Browser.

The Genealogy track is June 11 and 12 (Friday and Saturday). There are 51 speakers from the US, Canada, Ireland, Israel, and the UK. The STANDARD Registration includes 6 live lectures and 20 recorded lectures of your choice. The PLUS Registration gives you access to all presentations.

And, then...there are other Special Events which will occur between the above two tracks (Monday -Thursday, June 7-10). Check back at the website for more. However, these are listed:

Show Specials, Prize Drawings, Exhibitors, Product Q & A, Round Tables and Social Hours.

Join the fun!

See you there,

Emily

MyHeriage - Limited Promotion - Get Free upload and access to all DNA Features

noreply@blogger.com (Genealem) — Sun, 21 Feb 2021 18:24:00 +0000

Greetings!

MyHeritage has a wonderful limited time promotion. Please see the information below. By uploading you do not pay the upload fee and you will have lifetime access to all the DNA features.

Upload all the DNA kits you manage!

MyHeritage wrote:

I have great news! We’re running a special DNA upload promotion between February 21–28, 2021 so folks who have tested with other services can access all advanced DNA features on MyHeritage, absolutely free!

As you know, Genetic Groups significantly increased the resolution of MyHeritage DNA’s ethnicity breakdown to 2,114 geographic regions and our users have been raving about it ever since. But many people who have tested with services such as 23andMe, Ancestry or FamilyTree DNA Family Finder, were unable to join the fun.

MyHeritage allows you to upload your DNA data from other providers and get DNA Matches for free, but a one-time unlock fee of $29 (or a Complete plan with MyHeritage) has been required to access the advanced DNA features — and that includes the Ethnicity Estimate and the new Genetic Groups.

Well, we don’t want you to feel left out just because you tested with another service! For a limited time only, between February 21–28, 2021, we are waiving the unlock fee. You can now upload your DNA data to MyHeritage and get access to your Ethnicity Estimate, Genetic Groups, and other advanced DNA tools such as the Chromosome Browser, AutoClusters, and Theory of Family Relativity™ — absolutely free! These features will remain free forever for the DNA kits you upload to MyHeritage during this week.

Please share this exciting news with your readers and encourage them to take advantage of this offer and upload their data to MyHeritage. Read more about this wonderful offer on our blog.

Enjoy,

Daniel Horowitz

Genealogy Expert

Family Tree DNA's Valentine Sale

noreply@blogger.com (Genealem) — Thu, 04 Feb 2021 21:43:00 +0000

Greetings!

It's time to get your sweetheart a lasting Valentine gift!

Family Tree DNA started their Valentine sale today (February 4th) which lasts until February 14.

Save $20 on the Family Finder Test (regularly $79.)

This test is the most popular and allows you to locate cousins anywhere in your pedigree chart back 5 generations or more.

You also receive your bio-geographic comparison (what some mistakenly call Ethnicity) to help you determine the areas of the world that may be connected to your ancestors.

Family Tree DNA provides you with the "real" email of your matches so you can contact them directly rather than going through a company's website and hoping that the match notices your message.

So test...you could be my cousin!

Best wishes,

Emily

2020: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly

noreply@blogger.com (Genealem) — Fri, 01 Jan 2021 20:00:00 +0000

As 2020 turned our world upside down, I shall also flip the title of this.

The Bad and the Ugly

1. Covid-19 and the death and division it has created is a no brainer.

2. The politics that have divided us is definitely bad and at times very ugly and non-democratic.

3. The destructive riots have literally torn our cities. Peaceful demonstrations are just fine, but, sadly, when our governments do not listen, demonstrations move to more drastic situations. They turn ugly.

So, The Good! …as the New Year begins anew!

1. Covid-19: We now have some vaccines available.

2. Politics: We have a new President.

3. Riots: Although the cause of the riots has not been resolved, they have lessened, and some cities are looking at the tactics of SOME of their police force.

BUT the real good of being locked down for nine months…

1. Most families have been able to spend more time together and understand the value of any loss.

2. Many people have learned to Zoom with relatives and friends!

3. Many people support friends and families either financially or in kind.

4. Not spending money on travel or dining out, retirees have been able to help their children and grandchildren as well as contribute more to charities and donate to food banks.

5. We have had time to slow down and see what is of more value to us than material things. We realize that we can live without some things. (exception: toilet paper!)

6. We have learned to value our first responders.

I’m sure there are more good situations that has come out of 2020, but as a genealogist, the list continues! The time we now spend at home, allows us to …

1. organize our genealogy files.

2. scan our photos and other documents.

3. add names, dates, and places on the back of our photos (WITH an archival pen).

4. do more research, although online.

5. attend classes, workshops and conferences via Zoom, Go To Meeting, and Go To Webinar.

6. write our family stories and childhood memories

7. write a book or booklet our ancestors, or a particular branch.

No doubt there is much more in each category, but if some of the GOOD in 2020 has escaped you, you have 2021 to explore the possibilities.

Regardless, we all need to look at 2021 as a road out of 2020 even if the first few months do not feel like anything has changed. It will. We have made it through nine months of chaos; we can make it for several more months! We have been given the wisdom of the medical teams and now need to follow it well.

Wishing all of you the very best 2021 has to offer. Do take care of yourselves and your family and friends. Stay safe. Make the best of what you have!

Emily

FTDNA Sale Starts NOW!

noreply@blogger.com (Genealem) — Sun, 02 Aug 2020 02:21:00 +0000

FamilyTree DNA Summer Sale is HERE!

Sale Ends Monday, August 31^st

Additional bundle discounts are applied when an individual is purchasing more than one test (Family Finder, mtDNA, or Y-DNA) on a kit. Therefore, any cancellation of a test purchased as a bundle will result in a refund of the original sale price, minus the additional bundle discount. Upgrades do not receive the bundle discount.

Single Tests:

Family Finder (FF) was $79 now $59

Y-37 was $119 now $109

Y-111 was $249 now $219

Big Y-700 was $449 now $399

FMS (mitochondrial DNA) was $159 now $139

Bundles

Bundles are an extra $9 off the Summer Sale prices

Upgrades:

Y-12 to 37 was $79 now $59

Y-12 to 67 was $149 now $129

Y-12 to 111 was $199 now $159

Y-25 to 37 was $49 now $39

Y-25 to 67 was $119 now $99

Y-25 to 111 was $189 now $149

Y-37 to 67 was $89 now $69

Y-37 to 111 was $139 now $109

Y-67 to 111 was $89 now $79

Y12 to Big Y-700 was $399 now $359

Y-25 to Big Y-700 was $389 now $349

Y-37 to Big Y-700 was $339 now $319

Y-67 to Big Y-700 was $279 now $259

Y-111 to Big Y-700 was $239 now $229

Big Y-500 to Big Y-700 was $209 now $199

mtDNA to FMS was $119 now $79

mtPlus to FMS was $119 now $79

A few tips:

It’s wise to upgrade during a sale, and if you have any Y test below the Y-67, it is definitely wise to upgrade. If you do not have the Full Mitochondrial Sequence (FMS), that is equally important.

Bundling the Family Finder test with they Y and mtDNA tests can help you greatly with your pedigree chart.

Enjoy!

Emily

AncestryDNA's Coming Changes and What You Can Do - Especially if you have MedBetter

noreply@blogger.com (Genealem) — Sun, 26 Jul 2020 22:44:00 +0000

Greetings!

This email is only for those who have tests at AncestyDNA. Also, if you have Chrome and MedBetter, you REALLY need to read this!!!

Many of you already know about AncestryDNA’s coming update where they will remove all your matches from 6-8cMs unless they are in a group, have a note or you have emailed the match.

To clarify, not all the 8cMs will be removed. Because Ancestry is removing 6-7cMs for sure and because they round up the cMs, some of your 8cMs will be gone, if they are really 7.99 and below. You won’t know which ones.

I have spent many, many hours for over a week trying to save my 6-8cMs. After a week’s work on them I thought I was done as Ancestry indicated I was at the bottom of each list (6cM, 7cM and 8 cMs. Note that I had also checked the ThruLines and put them in groups as well as the New Matches. BUT, not so….

I’m writing this in the case you have the same situation and may not know it.

After spending a week on doing the above, I returned to the 8cMs and noticed a huge percentage did not have groups. WHAT!

I also had a recent half-first cousin test at Ancestry. She was not showing up in my matches and I wasn’t in hers. We share the same grandmother. I called Ancestry and they told me we were on each other and what group we were in for each other. The woman at Ancestry suggested I clean my cache and try another browser. I did both of those. Chrome, my favorite, constantly updates the site so I wasn’t worried that I didn’t have the current version.

Then I posted to a DNA Facebook group and someone suggested there could be an extension, such as MedBetter. Well, I do use MedBetter.

See more about MedBetter at https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/medbetterdna/gnbpjempamffbpppblmabeeimkppenla?hl=en-US

I removed MedBetter, and there was not only my currently tested cousin but another cousin that I used to have in my list, but I thought she had removed her kit. AND... there were some others that I had not remembered seeing until they reappeared. I am talking recent matches here…2^nd to 3^rd cousins.

SO, to prove to myself that MedBetter was the reason my groups I had formed for a week was the culprit, I spent the last three days (except for cooking, eating, sleeping for only 5-6 hrs, and watering my garden) redoing all my 8cMs matches. I just finished a few minutes ago (Today is 26 Jul 2020 1:20 pm). I have 17, 733 8cMs. I now have to redo all the 7cMs and 6cMs.

Here are some tips I learned along the way. Maybe they will work for you…

Grouping a cM list: (NOTE: There is no limit to the number of people in a group.)

1. Work on one set of cMs at a time (6, 7, or 8). I personally suggest starting with 8cMs as there is a slightly better chance of finding a common ancestor, but do as you wish.

2. Create a group and label it so it will appear just after the star. (The groups are in alphabetical order.) (I’m beginning to HATE yellow after using that dot! LOL)

3. Reduce the size of the font on the page. This makes for less scrolling and the ability to see more matches on a page.

4. Once you decide which cM list you are doing, use your FIND link (see the three dots in the upper right of Chrome.) and enter a name. Chrome highlights that name in orange. This makes it easy to spot where you started. (I cannot help you if you have another browser or MAC.)

5. Scroll down a bit from your highlighted name (as far as you wish to work for a time period). Then, work from the bottom of that group upward to the name you highlighted. Why? Because you only have to do two clicks to get someone in a group by going from bottom to top. Otherwise, you do three clicks. When you are talking about thousands of names that is a big difference!

6. Once you have worked your way back to the top where your name is highlighted, you can quickly scroll down to where you began adding people to a group to make sure you did not skip anyone or that you clicked too quickly and the dot did not register. This gives you two opportunities to hit everyone. You can very quickly scroll down to where you started in this group, so that goes quickly. Just focus on the dot to see where there is not one.

7. Continue this until you have reached the bottom of the list you started. Then begin a new section, and repeat from number 4.

Other tips if you do not have time to do the above or run out of time

after working on one cM group

Check your ThruLines and add them to an appropriate group.

You can use two or three filters located at the top of your matches page. To these add your 6cM, 7cM and/or 8cM matches list.

1. Check your Unviewed Matches by the various 6 to 8cM categories.

2. Check your Newest Matches. See SORT and choose DATE which gives you the newest to the most distant. Again, you only need to group 6-8cMs so add those to your filtered search. This you will want to do several times before Ancestry dumps everything which, in theory is the end of August. Of course, they are not clear on what “the end of August” means, so complete all this the week before the end of August to be safe.

3. Filter by trees and by the 6, 7 and 8cMs and group those matches.

4. Search for your surnames and if 8cMs or less, group them. You can actually search for a surname within a cM section. (REMEMBER: you can use multiple filters)

Know that if you have not completed a cM section and you exit it, then you may have to spend a lot of time scrolling down to where you left working. I have had to scroll for 50 minutes to get back to where I was, and I still had a good day’s work to complete the section. For this reason, I left my computer as its for three days!

ALSO, be prepared to deal with a page locking up, dumping you, etc.

I wish you the best.

Emily

If you do not hear from me in a timely manner, just write again...I was buried in email. LOL

Genetic Genealogy: The Basics and Beyond by E. Aulicino. Order online at AuthorHouse, Amazon and Barnes and Noble

https://writingyourmemories.blogspot.com/

https://genealem-geneticgenealogy.blogspot.com/

https://www.apgen.org/chapters/oregon/

AncestryDNA Update on 6-7cM Removal

noreply@blogger.com (Genealem) — Thu, 23 Jul 2020 04:13:00 +0000

I just received this today after writing with my concerns that this removal is happening too quickly, and that one of my tester's result was due July 31.

The email stated:

Hello Emily,

Thank you for contacting Ancestry in regard to AncestryDNA matches. We apologize for the delayed response, and are happy to help.

We have reviewed your inquiry, and feel that this information may help.As Ancestry continues to improve the accuracy of our DNA matching algorithms, we’ll be changing the way we calculate the amount of DNA that members share with their matches. Here’s what these changes will mean for our members:

More Accurate number of shared segments (Goes live early August)
The DNA you share with a match is distributed across short segments, long segments, or some combination of both. Our updated matching algorithm may reduce the estimated number of segments you share with some of your DNA matches. This doesn’t change the estimated total amount of shared DNA (measured in centimorgans/cM) or the predicted relationship to your matches.

Ability to see the length of the longest shared segment (Goes live Mid-August)
The length of the longest segment you and a DNA match have in common can help determine if you’re actually related. The longer the segment, the more likely you’re related. Segment length is also the easiest way to evaluate the difference between multiple matches that all show the same estimated relationship. Our updated matching algorithm can show you the length of the longest segment you share with your matches.

Distant DNA matches must share 8 cM or higher (Goes live late August)
Our updated matching algorithm will increase the likelihood you’re actually related to very distant matches. As a result, you’ll no longer see matches or be matched to people who share 7.9 cM or less DNA with you unless you’ve messaged them and/or included them in a note, or added them to a group (including your starred group). This means you will have fewer DNA matches and ThruLines™.

Based on customer feedback, we are delaying this change until late August so you have time to review and determine if you want to save any very distant matches by adding them to a group, starring them, adding a note, or sending them a message.

We hope this helps. Thank you for contacting Ancestry. Have a nice day!

If you need additional assistance, please feel free to reply to this message or call us at 1-800-ANCESTRY (1-800-262-3787) between the hours of 9am to 11pm EST, seven days a week.

Sincerely,

Lacuria
Customer Solutions Associate
Ancestry

noreply@blogger.com (Genealem) — Sat, 18 Jul 2020 00:32:00 +0000

Ancestry removes more matches...it's not the first time.

By now, most of you know that starting around August 1 (no definate time has been given), Ancestry will change their algorithm and removed all matches at 6 and 7cM unless you have a note on them or have them in a catagory or have emailed them.

I've been working hours on just getting my 7cMs in a group. I have run into issues with the site stopping before it allows me to download all the matches in their running page. If we had page numbers as I mentioned to them when they decided to drop those, this would be easier and go faster. For example after working HOURs yesterday just on 7cMs, I think I only had a couple of hundred to go. It took me 50 minutes of continually using the down arrow to get back to where I stopped. After that the site froze again.

I also had a call last night from a friend who was VERY upset as she had 42 tests she manages ...AND as she is African American she needs thos lower centiMorgans for her research. AND, she hasn't even begun with the matches who are in African. Although this may seem too small, it has lead her to answers using theses centiMorgans form 6-7.

AND, I have found at least two-dozen matche at the 7cM range that appear not to match me any other way since I have Colonial Ancestors and a pedigree chart that is robust, using GPS (Genealogy Proof Standards).

So...why am I whining about all this? I need you to know that you have a short amount of time to do a big job, along with thousands of other testers.

At least we have a couple of weeks. In the past we didn't know how much time for some of their chantges.

SO...as I need to return to my matches list, I'm just going to post these blogs where you can read about what to do.

Losing distant matches at AncestryDNA by Blaine Bettinger
AncestryDNA updates coming: what to do next by Diahan Southard
Ancestry's 2020 matching white paper by Leah Larkin
AncestryDNA matching white paper, last updated on 15 July 2020
Ancestry to Remove DNA Matches Soon by Robert J. Estes
AncestryDNA's White Paper

Have fun! (I'm not!)

Emily

Father's Day Sale at Family Tree DNA

noreply@blogger.com (Genealem) — Wed, 10 Jun 2020 05:38:00 +0000

Family Tree DNA's Father's Day Sale has begun and will last through June 21!

Take advantage of these great savings!!!

Family Finder (FF) Test was $79; now $59

Y-DNA Tests
Y-37 was $119; now $109
Y-111 was $249; now $219
Big Y-700 was $449; now $399

And then there are Bundles (i.e., a Y test and the Family Finder Test)
Take an extra $9 off the Sale prices when you bundle!

Upgrades:
Y-12 to 37 was $79; now $59
Y-12 to 67 was $149; now $129
Y-12 to 111 was $199; now $159

Y-25 to 37 was $49; now $39
Y-25 to 67 was $119; now $99
Y-25 to 111 was $189; now $149

Y-37 to 67 was $89; now $69
Y-37 to 111 was $139; now $109

Y-67 to 111 was $89; now $79

Y-12 to Big Y-700 was $399; now $359
Y-25 to Big Y-700 was $389; now $349
Y-37 to Big Y-700 was$339; now $319
Y-67 to Big Y-700 was$279; now $259
Y-111 to Big Y-700 was $239; now $229
Big Y-500 to Big Y-700 was $209; now $199

Only at Family Tree DNA can you get the Y-chromosome test. You may ask why should I upgrade, well...

Each test level (i.e., Y-37 tests 37 markers on the Y-chromosome) has threshold, so by upgrading you can get additional matches. Also, the &-37 is now considered the most basic Y test and if you have a common haplogroup you can receive hundreds of matches which may not be that close in generations. You really need to upgrade to narrow the matches to whom is most relevant.

We typically do not see another sale until Summer so don't pass this by.

Best wishes,
Emily

MyHeritage Offers Access to Records

noreply@blogger.com (Genealem) — Sun, 31 May 2020 19:21:00 +0000

For the month of June, each day MyHeritage will allow access to a different historical record collection.

The company states:

The collections we have chosen for this offer were handpicked for their value for family historians and include collections that are exclusive to MyHeritage. Among them are the Sweden Household Examination Books, 1840–1947, 1940 Denmark Census, and U.S. City Directories. Altogether, we’ll be providing free access to more than 2 billion historical records throughout June!

All the collections are available on www.myheritage.com/research, and you can find the full schedule for the free collections, including direct links, on our blog.

Check it out!

Enjoy and stay safe,
Emily

Staying Home? Bored? Try these ideas.

noreply@blogger.com (Genealem) — Sun, 15 Mar 2020 22:38:00 +0000

Greetings!

I know many of you are staying home due to our world's heath issues. At least, I hope very many of you are home so we can slow this virus and give the medical facilities the ability to handle those in need.

However, I do know that many of you may be a bit bored. Of course, you can get out into your yards or on the sidewalks as long as you do not come in contact with others. A daily walk is good for you, as well as breathing that fresh air. BUT, that means many hours inside. What to do!!!

I have many ideas, especially since those of you reading this are genealogists!

1. In your search engine, put a topic of interest on genealogy or genetic genealogy and then add: YouTube. There will be many, many free webinars that could interest you.

2. Other free webinars:
Family Tree DNA has them on all their tests. Scroll to the bottom of the home page and click on LEARNING CENTER and put WEBINAR in the search box.
Legacy Family Tree has many on both genealogy and genetic genealogy. They are also available a week after they are presented. You do not get the handouts, however. Go to: https://familytreewebinars.com/

3. Check Facebook for many, many genealogy and genetic genealogy groups. Your questions are welcomed and many people are ready to answer them.

4. Test your DNA if you have not and test cousins and other relatives. Companies have sales rather often. Check their websites. If you have tested, at AncestryDNA, 23andMe, MyHeritage, transfer to Family Tree DNA and pay the $19 to get all the bells and whistles. MyHeritage takes transfers, also, but costs a bit more.

5. Read genetic genealogy blogs. These are some of my favorites:
DNAeXplained by Roberta J. Estes
The Genetic Genealogist by Blaine Bettinger
Kitty Cooper's Blog

6. If you have an adoption in your family or a recent line which is unknown, DNAAdoption.org may help. Get involved with the discussions and download the free handout entitled A Methodology to Indentify Relatives with autosomal DNA Test Data.

7. Enhance your pedigree chart. The more detailed it is, the easier to find the common ancestors you share with your matches. Not only use the subscriptions you have, use your browser to search various counties and libraries for additional information. Be creative with your searches.

8. Carefully go through your pedigree in your genealogy software to locate errors to correct. Often you can find duplication of names that need merging. Spelling errors from quick typing seem to be my issue!

9. Write a bio for some of your family members or ancestors. Your descendants will appreciate your compiling names, dates, and places into a narrative. These can be short vignettes. I teach a class on writing one's childhood memories and family stories and find several of my members compile these stories and give them as a Christmas gift. You have time to do this now.

10. Do not forget to write about your own life. No matter how boring you may think it will be, it is not. AND, write about the times in which we live now. Your experiences are very much more important than those of our collective society or what the historians write. If you need help or ideas, see my blog: Writing Your Memories. My booklet "Memoing" My Memories provides 130 topics, and for each topic you can write many more than a single story or two. You can only order it directly from me. The beginning of the blog has many tips and suggestions on writing; later are some wonderful stories written by my class members...some are so funny; some just cannot be explained; some are a bit scary! Just browse through them all.

11. Search Google Books and other free ebooks on your topic or location of interest. You can even save them to review later.

12. Read the books you have on genetic genealogy or order more from Amazon.

13. Check-in with your matches and other researchers you know to collaborate on your lines and to share this list.

14. So by now, in needing a break from our all-consuming hobby, clean out those closets...or like me, clean off my desk (One would think I was a CPA in the middle of tax season!) Do those awful household chores and get some exercise even if it is only in they house or yard.

15. Check on friends and family via the phone, email, etc. If you have a surplus of items that someone who is sheltering in place may need, offer to share. Just drop off the items at the front door so not to expose anyone. I have already done this. We must support each other.

Above all, stay safe and be well.

Hugs to you all.
Emily

Family Tree DNA’s St. Patrick’s Day Sale

noreply@blogger.com (Genealem) — Fri, 06 Mar 2020 21:47:00 +0000

Family Tree DNA's St. Patrick's Day Sale is from March 6^th to March 17^th

It's a $20 savings! The luck of the Irish!

Family Finder was $79; now $59

Also get $9 off each additional tested added to a bundle

Bundles
Family Finder + Y-37 was $189; now $169

Family Finder + Y-111 was $319; now $299

Family Finder + Full mitochondrial Sequence (FMS) was $339; now $319

Family Finder + Y-111 + FMS was $469; now $449

Test! You could be my cousin!

Best wishes,
Emily

MyHeritage - Updates

noreply@blogger.com (Genealem) — Fri, 28 Feb 2020 20:20:00 +0000

I cannot begin to update you on what has been happening at MyHeritage.

Not only can you colorize your black and white photos by uploading them. The directions state: "...click on any black and white photo you already have, then click Colorize. Your original photos will not be changed." These can be shared with family and friends. The following is their example:

You can create a fan tree to share with friends and relatives. Here's an example of the fan tree (all people in it, but me have passed) The default is six generations, but you can add more. There are small marks where the lines do go back farther. This was also very easy me to add more ancestors. Just click on the blank and up pops a screen. What I really love is the fact that you have many choices for dates, including: exact, circa, before, between, after, etc. AND...by clicking on a name (see the one is light orange), details of the family are displayed on the left, just as you see with the other pedigree layouts.

You can also get the fan chart in a color block form. Hovering over a space gives you a name. Clicking on the name gives you family details in a column to the left.

And, now they have uploaded 25,000 U.S. city directories published between 1860 and 1960. Their entire historical record database contains 11.9 billion records now. This collection will increase in the future.

MyHeritage’s announcement on this states: “The online collection of U.S. city directories is now available on SuperSearch™, MyHeritage’s search engine for historical records. Searching the collection is free. A subscription is required to view the full records and to access Record Matches.”

I’m sure I have missed some announcements over the last few weeks; however, when MyHeritage started a few years ago, I called them the “new kid on the block”, but I could see they were rapidly catching up to the other “big boys”!

Hey...what's next MyHeritage!

Enjoy, Emily

YEAH, FTDNA - Price Reduction for 2020

noreply@blogger.com (Genealem) — Sat, 04 Jan 2020 19:27:00 +0000

Now that the holiday sale is over, we expected the Family Tree DNA prices to rise to their former level, but NO! Here's the current prices!

Y-37 $119 (previously $169)
Y-111 $249 (previously $359)
BigY-700 $449 (previously $649). The BAM file must now be purchased as an add on for $100.
mtDNA full sequence $159 (previously $199)
Upgrade from Y-37 to Y-67, now $89
Upgrade form Y-37 to Y-111, now $139
Upgrade from Y-67 to Y-111, now $89
Upgrade from Y-37 to Big Y-700, now $339
Upgrade from Y-67 to Big Y-700, now $279
Upgrade from Y-111 to Big Y-700, now $239
Upgrade from Big Y-500 to Big Y-700, now $209

If you are stuck at a Y-12 or Y-25, know that the Y-25 no longer exists.

Upgrades for the Y-12 and Y-25 are:

Y-12 to Y-37, now $79

Y-12 to Y-67, now $149

Y-12 to Y-111, now $199

Y-12 to Big Y-700, now $399 (not including the BAM file)

Y-25 to Y-37, now $49

Y-25 to Y-67, now $119

Y-25 to Y-111, now $189

Y-25 to Big Y-700, now $389 (not including the BAM file

Family Finder is still $79, but when it is on sale there is very little profit, so that is understandable.

The bundle of a Y-37 and Family Finder saves you $9 and is now $189.

Shipping is now $9.95 U.S. and $12.95 for International.

I greatly encourage you to upgrade or test at the Y-37 level or higher. The Y-37 is now the very basic, and if you happen to be in a large haplogroup (your twig on the world family tree) such as R and I, your matches can be numerous and many may not show as each test level has its own maximum threshold. Therefore, by testing at a Y-67 you may find more matches that you would at a Y-37.

Also know that the mtDNA Plus no longer exists so there is now only the Full Sequence. This is also good as the mtDNA is slower to mutate so matches could be farther back in time, and the full mtDNA gives a clearer picture of who matches you. Again, if you are in a common haplogroup such as H and U, you may have hundreds of matches.

Remember, always contact and work with the matches who have the fewest genetic distances first. They will match you more closely in time than those with high genetic distances. (A genetic distance is the differences you and a match have on your test results. For example, if you and a match have a difference of 2 on one marker you have a genetic distance of 2. Zero is a perfect match. Allow the company to determine the genetic distance as some markers are calculated differently.)

The key to finding common ancestors for your matches is to have a ROBUST pedigree chart. Remember to use Genealogy Proof Standards (GPS) in creating your pedigree. AND...upload your tree to the website!!!

Thank you FTDNA for the New Year's gift!

SO...all of you out there, test and enjoy!

Remember, you could be my cousin...

Emily

MyHeritage - Ten Year "Report"

noreply@blogger.com (Genealem) — Mon, 30 Dec 2019 19:16:00 +0000

MyHeritage has accomplished a lot this year.

Over the past 10 years, we’ve built up a treasure trove of global historical records, introduced MyHeritage DNA tests for genealogy and for health, signed up 69 million users, added 3.07 billion family tree profiles, acquired 7 companies, welcomed 406 employees, and so much more.

The above is a quote from their site. Stop by and read it all here!

Congrats to MyHeritage and its crew! May the next 10 years be even more exciting!

Enjoy,
Emily

Family Tree DNA Holiday Sale is Extended

noreply@blogger.com (Genealem) — Sat, 28 Dec 2019 03:53:00 +0000

Family Tree DNA has tests are on sale until January 2

The paternal (all-male line) - only males can test

Y-37 $99 (reg. $169)

Y-111 $199 (reg. $160)

Big Y-700 $299 (reg. $640)

The maternal (all-female line) is now only $199 (reg. $139)

The Family Finder test (autosomal DNA (is only $49 (reg. $79)

See: https://www.familytreedna.com/ for more details.

Enjoy!
Emily

Promethease: Free Until Dec 31, 20219

noreply@blogger.com (Genealem) — Fri, 27 Dec 2019 20:21:00 +0000

MyHeritage acquired Promethease and has made it free until Dec 31, 2019 (Central Time)

Now is a great time to upload DNA data to Promethease to obtain up-to-date health information for free. You can download your report and your uploaded DNA data will be deleted in a few days. Read the full blog post here: https://blog.myheritage.com/2019/12/only-a-few-days-left-to-use-promethease-for-free/

Check it out and read the fine print!

Have fun!

Emily

MyHeritage Holiday Challenge

noreply@blogger.com (Genealem) — Sun, 15 Dec 2019 03:13:00 +0000

MyHeritage Holiday Heritage Challenge

You could win a grand prize of 10 MyHeritage DNA Health+Ancestry kits and 10 MyHeritage Subscriptions!!!!

v There’s a new challenge each week

v Post your answer to your favorite social media platform for your change to win the weekly prize

v One grand prize winner will be chosen at the end of the competition

This week’s challenge:

What is your favorite family holiday dish and what’s the story behind it?

Post your answer on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram using the hashtag #holidayheritage and share your post with friends and family to get as many likes as possible.

The post with the most likes at the end of the week will win a MyHeritage DNA Heath+Ancestry kit and a MyHeritage Subscription.

The post with the most likes at the end of the competition will win our grand prize: 10 MyHeritage DNA Health+Ancestry kits and 10 MyHeritage Subscriptions.

For this and the future challenges see this link.

Have fun and good luck!!!!
Emily

Family Tree DNA Sales Until Dec 26

noreply@blogger.com (Genealem) — Thu, 12 Dec 2019 04:33:00 +0000

Not only does Family Tree DNA have sales on many of their tests, they are allowing FREE shipping on the kits. This is a great sale. You do not always see upgrades on sale.

Also, the tests below the FMS (Full Mitochondrial Sequence) are now quite antiquated. You really need the FMS.

The same goes for any Y-DNA test below a Y-37. AND, frankly, that is even not real useful, especially if you are in a major haplogroup.

It is wise to upgrade these tests since so many people are testing and you need to know more detail about how you connect to them.

Single Tests:
Family Finder (FF).......Reg. $79; now $49
Y-37 ..............................Reg. $169; now $99
Y-111.............................Reg. $359; now $199
Big Y700.......................Reg. $649; now $399
FMS...............................Reg. $199; now $139

Bundles:
$9 off of each additional tested added to a bundle

Upgrades:
Y-12 to 37......................Reg. $109; now $79
Y-12 to 67......................Reg. $199; now $149
Y-12 to 111....................Reg. $359; now $169

Y-25 to 37......................Reg. $59; now $49
Y-25 to 67......................Reg. $159; now $119
Y-25 to 111....................Reg. $269; now $149

Y-37 to 67......................Reg. $109; now $69
Y-37 to 111....................Reg. $228; now $119

Y-67 to 111....................Reg. $99; now $69

Y-12 to Big Y-700.............Reg. $629; now $359
Y-25 to Big Y-700.............Reg. $599; now $349
Y-37 to Big Y-700.............Reg. $569; now $319
Y-67 to Big Y-700.............Reg. $499; now $259
Y-111 to Big Y-700............Reg. $499; now $229
Big Y-500 to Big Y-700....Reg. $249; now $189

mtDNA to FMS.................Reg. $159; now $99
mtPlus to FMS...................Reg. $159; now $99

Enjoy,
Emily

MyHeritage DNA Transfer Free until Dec 18

noreply@blogger.com (Genealem) — Thu, 12 Dec 2019 03:54:00 +0000

The MyHeritage blog states:

This Week Only: DNA Uploads Are Completely Free Forever (Including All Advanced DNA Features!)

You are saving the $29 uploading fee.

Why upload to MyHeritage

Huge global user base of more than 3.5 million people
The best service worldwide for European DNA matches
Advanced and innovative DNA tools Including Chromosome Browser, AutoClusters, Theory of Family Relativity™ and much more
DNA data uploaded to MyHeritage is completely private and secure. Only you can see the DNA data you upload.
MyHeritage will never sell data to insurance companies, and we have a strict policy prohibiting the use of our DNA services by law enforcement agencies.

What the limited-time offer includes

If you take advantage of this offer and upload your raw DNA data this week, in addition to the basic DNA features such as receiving, exporting, and contacting DNA Matches and viewing shared ancestral surnames, you’ll be able to access the following features absolutely free, not just this week but also in the future:

Ethnicity Estimate
Chromosome Browser
View family trees and pedigree charts of your DNA Matches
Shared DNA Matches
Shared ethnicities
Shared ancestral places
AutoClusters
Theory of Family Relativity™

Go to this MyHeritage link to learn how to upload your DNA results.

Enjoy!

Emily

Family Tree DNA Black Friday & Cyber Monday Sales

noreply@blogger.com (Genealem) — Fri, 29 Nov 2019 20:01:00 +0000

Take advantage of these wonderful sales!!!!

FREE SHIPPING ON KITS

*Thanksgiving Sale ends November 28th at 11:59 pm PST. Other promotions and offers not valid for this event. Free Shipping offer is for standard delivery only.

Family Tree DNA's Thanksgiving Sale

noreply@blogger.com (Genealem) — Fri, 01 Nov 2019 16:35:00 +0000

November 1 to November 28
Great Savings!!! --- $20 to $270 OFF Selected Tests.

Today marks the beginning of our Thanksgiving Sale! Below you can find pricing for the sale as well as some important changes for the sale.

Big Y BAM File

Starting today, Big Y participants will see some changes to how they are able to download raw data for the Big Y product. Below are further details.

For customers who purchase a Big Y-700 starting 11/01/19, the product will not include downloadable raw data. However, customers will have the option to purchase the “Big Y Raw Data” product after the Big Y test has begun processing.

Customers who purchased a Big Y-700 or Big Y-500 prior to 11/01/19, will continue to have access to their downloadable raw data. These existing customers will see a new product added to their Order History called “Big Y Raw Data.” This product has been added at no charge to ensure continued access to their downloadable raw data.

The downloadable raw data is expensive for FTDNA to provide for our customers and only a small portion of Big Y participants request this download. Rather than continue to pass this cost along to all Big Y participants, we have chosen to only charge those who wish to download their BAM file for that data. This change allows us to reduce the price of the test, which in turn will give more customers the ability to participate in Big Y testing and building the Haplotree.

Y-67 Product Offering

Y-67 is not included in this sale since Y-111 is at the price point we would normally have Y-67. For this reason, we have disabled the Y-67 product for new Y-DNA testers to minimize inquiries. However, the option to upgrade to Y-67 is still available.

Thanksgiving Sale Pricing

Are you my cousin???? Let's find out!

Emily

FHF - Family History Fanatics Webinar August 9

noreply@blogger.com (Genealem) — Thu, 18 Jul 2019 21:16:00 +0000

Greetings!

Family History Fanatics is holding a great webinar (eConference) August 9, 2019. FHF is operated by Andy and Devon Noel Lee. This is a genealogy education company with books and presentations available at conferences and online. See their website here.

FHF eConferences are an inexpensive webinar from some well-known speakers. Their press release:

A Summer of DNA eConference

Genetic genealogy can be confusing, but several tools and strategies can help us make more sense

of it all. Sponsored by MyHeritage, all registrants have a chance to win one of 4 DNA kits and other

door prizes.

This conference will discuss the new Theory of Family Relativity tool from MyHeritage DNA and how

to process DNA matches that have endogamy involved. You'll also learn how to choose who in your

family should take a DNA test to help with your cousin match quest. Finally, you'll come to

understand the purposes of atDNA and how to make more cousin discovers and verify your lineage.

DATE: Friday, 9 August 2019

Begins 8:30 am Central

TOPICS & PRESENTERS

Theory of Family Relativity and Other MyHeritage DNA Tools - Daniel Horowitz
Testing Family Members (why & who to choose) - Donna Rutherford
atDNA: Verify, Correct, Expand - Emily Aulicino
When Your Tree Is a Banyan: Working with Endogamy and DNA - Leah Larkin

After the individual sessions, the four panelists will return for an open panel discussion about writing.

PRICING

Early bird pricing is $19.99 until July 31st. After that, pricing will increase to $24.99. You MUST register by August 7th to watch the eConference and obtain the handouts.

To learn more and register visit, https://www.familyhistoryfanatics.com/summerdna

WHO CAN ATTEND

· The eConference is open to anyone with an internet connection who is ready to have fun while learning!

· If you can't attend the live broadcast, you will have access to the replay for 30 days!

The conference producers are the Family History Fanatics, a genealogy education company that focuses on putting the fun in online learning. See the difference the FHF Group puts together for you! If you are interested in scheduling your own eConference fundraiser, email info@familyhistoryfanatics.com .

MORE ABOUT THE PRESENTERS & TOPICS

Theory of Family Relativity and Other MyHeritage DNA Tools - Daniel Horowitz,

MyHeritage

Description: MyHeritage DNA test can reveal valuable family history information and enable you to

connect with relatives you never knew. Among the useful newest tools offered are: The Theory of Family

Relativity™ incorporates genealogical information from all our collections of 10+ billion historical records

and family tree profiles, to offer theories on how you and your DNA Matches might be related, and The

AutoClusters organizes your matches who likely belong to the same branch and have a common

ancestor, shedding light on the relationship paths that connect you and your matches.

More about Daniel: Daniel Horowitz is the Genealogy Expert at MyHeritage, providing, key contributions

liaising with genealogy societies, bloggers and media, as well as lecturing, and attending conferences

around the world. Dedicated to Genealogy since 1986, he was the teacher and the study guide editor of

the family history project "Searching for My Roots" in Venezuela for 15 years. Daniel is involved in several

crowdsource digitization and transcription projects and holds a board level position at the Israel

Genealogy Research Association (IGRA).

Testing Family Members (why & who to choose) - Donna Rutherford

Description : This class will outline the benefits of having additional family members test and which family members you should choose. It will explain what to consider and how to go about creating a test plan to answer specific genealogical questions. The general theory will be backed up by examples of how to use your own results coupled with your family results to solve your genealogical problems.

More about Donna: Donna Rutherford is a New Zealander with English and Scottish ancestry. She has

been involved with genealogy for many years and more recently genetic genealogy. Donna works in

London in the IT industry as a Global Business Operations Manager. In her spare time, she manages a

Facebook group to help others with their DNA research. She has worked with Y DNA, mtDNA and has a lot of experience with autosomal DNA for her own research and helping others. Donna specializes in making the complex side of DNA testing easy to understand for those who are new to genetic genealogy and want to maximize the use of their DNA kits. She has been a regular speaker at genealogy events across the UK & Ireland for the past 3 years.

atDNA: Verify, Correct, Expand - Emily Aulicino

Description : Do you have conflicting family stories? Are you certain your cousins are your cousins? Are

you at a dead-end for some ancestral lines? Learn how autosomal DNA testing can help you verify your

lineage, correct your oral family history, and expand your pedigree chart. Through various success

stories, you can discover how others have triumphed and how you can as well.

More about Emily: Emily Aulicino, a retired teacher and Speaker and Regional Coordinator for the

International Society of Genetic Genealogists (ISOGG), will explain the basics of Genetic Genealogy, how

DNA testing helps genealogical research, and how to choose a testing company. Time will be provided to

answer questions.

When Your Tree Is a Banyan: Working with Endogamy and DNA - Leah Larkin

Description : Endogamy, the practice of marrying within a specific group, often results in members of that

group being related to one another multiple ways. This can cause relatives to share more DNA than

expected and can complicate genetic genealogy analyses. This talk will address how to identify

endogamy and best practices for working with it.

More about Leah: Leah Larkin earned her Ph.D. in biology from the University of Texas at Austin, where

she used DNA to study the relationships among different species. She has worked in both academia and

scientific publishing and applies those research skills daily to her work as a professional specializing in

genetic genealogy.

I hope you will be able to join us!

Emily

The Father's Day Sale is Here!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Genealem) — Tue, 04 Jun 2019 22:29:00 +0000

Get up to 25% off Selected Tests.

Sale Ends June 17th.

Order TODAY!

Do test...you could be my cousin!!!
Enjoy!
Emily