Blood of the Isles - DVD Press Release

DVD RELEASE OUT ON 12 MARCH 2010

WINNER OF 2010 IRISH FILM AND TELEVISION AWARDS

BEST DOCUMENTARY SERIES

'Blood of the Irish'
by Crossing the Line Films

Crossing The Line Films are delighted to announce the release of the IFTA winning documentary series 'Blood of the Irish', a 2 hour documentary that seeks the truth about the origins of Irish people.

Broadcaster Diarmuid Gavin travels to the heart of Africa and beyond in a quest to find the very origins of the Irish people. Who are the Irish and whose blood flows in our veins? A landmark series for RTÉ, Blood of the Irish explores the most fundamental questions about the Irish population; who were the first people to settle here and where did they come from? Why are the oldest Irish human remains less than 10,000 years old when just 100 kms away in Britain, human traces go back 700,000 years? Did the first Irish arrive overland on an ice bridge, or on a small fragile boat blown ashore by the winds of chance?

Produced by Crossing the Line Films, a veteran production company skilled at documentaries exploring history, science and adventure, the documentary is full of spectacular landscapes, cutting edge DNA studies, computer graphics, latest archaeology and prominent academic contributors. It also includes ordinary Irish people and their own quest for their origins – including even an appearance by Daniel O'Donnell.

For all those with an interest in Irish history and prehistory, geneaology, genetics, archaeology and general Irish studies, 'Blood of the Irish' is a showpiece documentary which offers an educational and approachable view into one of the great mysteries of Irish people. Who are we; and where do we come from?


Out on 12 March 2010 in retailers nationwide (in Ireland)
and available region-free (for out of country purchases) through website www.ctlfilms.com
PG rated
RRP: 17.99 euro
copies available for DVD reviewers


CONTACT:

Crossing The Line Films
Barr an Uisce, Killincarrig Road
Greystones, Co Wicklow
www.ctlfilms.com
tel: (01) 287 5394

23andMe Success Story

The new rage in DNA testing is with 23andMe. They test autosomal markers for ancestry and health purposes. This means for your genealogy you can now match testers who are not on just your Ydna or your mtDNA lines. You can match people who are anywhere in your pedigree charts.

This last October I ordered their Complete Edition which includes data for my health and for my ancestry. You can order these separately, getting only the Ancestry test, if you wish. This story, however, is about my genealogy.

With 23andMe, at the moment, testers need to "opt in" to communicate with other testers. Under their section Relative Finder, I see that I have 239 people who match me. However, only twenty-one of them have allowed communication with testers. Of those twenty-one, only eleven have actually made contact. I am waiting for the other ten to open their email and reply to my invitation to share, one way or another: Accept or Ignore.

The company lists the Predicted Relationship which can range from very closely related to distant cousin. I happen to have one 3rd cousin who, unfortunately, has not opted to converse with anyone as yet. Most others are 4th and 5th cousins. I have two listed as Distant Cousins. The probable rankings for cousins are given in a Relationship Range from 3rd cousin to 7th, 8th, 10th, etc., depending.

Columns also give you the % of DNA Shared and the # of Shared Segments. Of course, the higher the numbers for these two, the better. 23andMe only deals with matching information within certain parameters, so other people could match you that are not listed. It is understandable that they want to provide matches that are reasonable. Also, remember that this isn't a full genome test. It only covers a bit over a half million markers. More people could match you if all areas were tested, but most of us cannot afford that.

Lynleigh was listed as my 4th cousin with a relationship range from 3rd to 7th cousin. We shared .23% of our DNA. While that does not sound like much, you must consider that it is enough to determine relationships as the comparison is based on having a block of result which matches. We match on one DNA segment, Chromosome 20.

This match can be seen under the link Family Inheritance. Here you compare your genome result with that of another person. A blue section appears where the match is.


Both Lynleigh and I share the same haplogroup: U5a1. However, in this testing, unlike mtDNA (mitochondrial DNA), that is not important. The mtDNA test deals with the all female line (bottom line of a pedigree chart for the person who is number one on the chart). This is not where we match.

On November 12th, I sent her a message stating that 23andMe found we are related. After she accepted my invitation to connect, I sent her a list of surnames for my 4th great-grandparents on both sides of my family also including the states that were relevant for each. I then refined it to add my direct ancestors' full names, a date, and the county for each state, hoping that a county would help narrow the search.

She sent me her list, and I commented on those that were directly or indirectly related:

... Eads is connected to my Simpson line.
... Bowling to the Talley line.
... Roberson could be Robertson.
... Stokes were near Stokers in Southside VA and NC.
... Powell is connected to Talley.
... Rodgers could be Rogers.
... Shelton is connected to Doolin.
... Simms connected to Canterbury.


Then I suggested:

"Maybe we should share more detail on some lines. For example where were your Eads in VA ... and your Jenkins in PA? Although Jenkins is a Welsh name, it does not mean we can connect them even if they are neighborhood due to the naming patterns. Mine were in PA in the late 1600s...some may have stuck around. I think that some of the Watson line (from Albemarle Co, VA) did land in NC or SC, but they are not in my direct line. SO ... some of these may be worth checking, especially if you and I have sibling info. This will surely teach people not to do just their direct lines!"


On November 13th, Lynleigh asked to Genome Share. This can be done on a Basic or Extended level. The Basic level allows you to see which chromosome is matching. The Extended level allows you to share health information. We decided to do the Basic Sharing, and we learned that the matching result is on Chromosome 20.

November 28th, Lynleigh found our common ancestor! Actually, her husband Yasuyuki does the genealogy and found it. Since I had only sent my 4th great-grandparents, her husband had to do my genealogy to be certain. Without a dedicated researcher, we may still be searching. Sending more information would have helped more easily.


*** WE ARE 6TH COUSINS ONCE REMOVED! ***

23andMe predicted we are 3rd to 7th cousins, so they are pretty accurate.


Lynleigh's lineage:

1. William Simpson, b. 1750 Edgecombe Co, NC; d. 1813 Caldwell Co, KY
...+Mary UNKNOWN
2. Nancy Simpson, b. 1775 Caldwell/Livingston Co, KY; d. 1838 Gasconade Co, MO
...+John Eads, m. 1795 Caldwell Co, KY
3. William Eads, b. 1797 Christian Co, KY; d. 1846 Des Moines, IA
...+Rebecca A. Roberson, m. 1818 KY
4. Cyrene Eads, b. 1823 Gasconade Co, MO; d. 1906 Macoupin, IL
...+James E. Andrew, m. 1840 Des Moines, IA
5. Martha Leviscus Andrew, b. 1858 Macoupin Co, IL; d. 1940 Champaign Co, IL
...+Wililam Jackson Shelton, m. 1881 Macoupin Co, IL
6. Earnest Andrew Shelton, b. 1882 Macoupin Co, IL; d. 1955 Jersy Co, IL
...+Edna Alice Galloway, m. 1904 Macoupin Co, IL
7. James Glenn Shelton, b. 1917 Macoupin Co, IL; d. 1979 Champaign Co, IL
...+Marguerite Ann (surname withheld)
8. Lynleigh's parents
9. Lynleigh


My lineage:

1. William Simpson, b. 1750 Edgecombe Co, NC; d. 1813 Caldwell Co, KY
...+Mary UNKNOWN
2. Benjamin D. Simpson, b. 1777 Caldwell/Livingston Co, KY; d. 1853 Osage Co, MO
...+Mary (Polly) G. Roberson, m. 1808 KY
3. James Simpson, b. 1818 KY; d. 1849 en route to CA
...+Rebecca Syrene Miller, m. 1842 MO
4. Syrena Simpson, b. 1844
...+Henry Jefferson Williams, m. 1861 Osage Co, MO
5. Benjamin Franklin Williams, b. 1874 MO; d. 1952 MO
...+Tina Mae Simpson
6. Georgia Fay Williams, b. 1898 Pulaski Co, MO; d. 1980 Wyandotte Co, KS
...+Guy Franklin Doolin, m. 1918 Pulaski Co, MO
7. Emily's parents
8. Emily


Not only do I have a new cousin, I have a research partner!


In 23andMe results, you should consider all aspects of your genealogy. You must realize that any connection may be (and is more likely to be) through a line that crosses gender and/or from lines that branch off from any of your ancestor's siblings. As you can see from my connection with Lynleigh, each of us crosses gender in almost every generation.


From this experience I have learned a great deal. The following suggestions may assist you in finding your common ancestor more quickly:

1. If you have not done so, choose to correspond with those who match you on 23andMe. If you cannot find the link to "opt in" for corresponding, email the company at:
help(at sign)23andme.com

It is VERY important that everyone decides to correspond even if you are a novice at genealogy or DNA.

2. Research all aspects of your lineage, including the siblings of your direct ancestors and some of their descendants. I have always had the general rule of researching three generations either side of my direct line. You could connect anywhere along the lines and more likely along lines that branch off of your ancestor's siblings. All those descendants are important to finding the connection.

3. Set up a simple website with your lineage details or put them in a Word Document, including at least:

... a. Names, dates, and locations of all your direct ancestors and all their spouses.
... b. Surnames of all the children's spouses.
... c. If any of your lines have tested for DNA with other companies, refer to that project link.
... d. If you have found connections on lines through 23andMe, mention where those are in your lineage.

4. Write some details of your lineage in the Invitation. If you have set up a website, include the link.

5. Share as much detail as possible about your family either through your website or in a Word Document that you can copy and paste to the 23andMe messages you write to your cousins. At some point, everyone will be comfortable sharing personal emails.

6. Start searching and researching. DO NOT give up. The common ancestor is there!

Success is SWEET!

If you have any DNA success stories, email me so I can post them here. Perhaps another cousin is reading this blog!

Emily
29 Nov 2009
aulicino(at sign)hevanet.com

23andMe - Price and format change

News has begun to travel around the genetic genealogy world that 23andMe is changing its prices ... a major increase...and splitting its health testing services from its genealogical/ancestry services. This more than disturbing to the genetic genealogy world ....

As a very active person in genetic genealogy and as a person who gives more presentations than any other person on DNA as used for genealogy, I am very disturbed by this move. (If anyone is in doubt of my claims to my level of interest and participation, l know multiple thousands of genealogists who are interested in DNA testing. One of my projects has over 3,000 members, and I belong to ISOGG (International Society of Genetic Genealogists: www.isogg.org), doing presentations on their behalf. The ISOGG membership is huge!)

I just gave a presentation that included info on 23andMe last Tuesday as I tested there during their recent sale. I was very excited about this new company as it could help genealogists find cousins in their lineages that were not strictly along the all female or all male lines. We can now use DNA to find cousins for all those in our ancestry between the top and bottom lines of a pedigree chart.

My enthusiasm has greatly waned since last Tuesday (Nov 10th). The reason: 23andMe is keeping their nearly $500 fee for testing (the regular price, not any sale price), but instead of getting information on your health issues AND their Relative Finder section which helps you locate others who have tested and with whom you share a common ancestor (grouping them by level of cousins...3rd, 4th, etc), after November 19th $399 for the Ancestry edition, OR $429 for the Health edition, OR $499 for the Complete edition. The price before November 19th is $399 for the Complete edition. That is a huge increase in price for the service. HUGE!

After my presentation, my group was very excited about 23andMe even though I did not mention price. Then, when all this happened (the announcement of the change), I emailed everyone in ALL of my DNA projects and in all my interest groups to tell them of my disappointment only because it will limit who is able to purchase this type of testing. I had not mentioned the previous prices at all, but did mention that maybe they would have a Holiday price as they did last year. Even if they do now, people will be quite hesitant to pay that much for half of what they will get from now to November 19th.

I will continue to recommend it for people who are interested in finding ancestors beyond the Ydna and mtDNA for sure, but all the time knowing that most of my audience, if not all of it, will not pay that price for either section of 23andMe.

23andMe has something good going, but as it stands, it may only be for the more affluent or the really obsessive genealogist. Many genealogists may not have the time, patience, or depth of research to hunt down the lines to find the common ancestor, but would have been willing at a better price. Now, they will see it as beyond them.

That's very, very sad for the world of genealogy and for genetic genealogists. I know I would have talked many people in my projects into it as they cannot find the paper connection although they have tested their Ydna. This would have helped them determine the possible generation by another means. It also would have helped those who are interested in our surname projects who do not carry the surname and who are women not able to test for a surname project. Currently, I am in conversation with a man who does not carry the Talley surname, but has several Talleys in his family. We think this could be the connection. As a woman who also can't test for the Talley surname, we may have never met. Now, I'm helping him trace his line back to see where we connect, and I think I have it. BUT...is that worth $500 ... not really; not even if I find many lines this way.

SO ... not only this move by 23andMe limits who will buy their tests, but it will limit information on all of our DNA projects. It is really sad. Had I any idea this would be their direction, I would have bought many test during the sale, giving them to my project members and those connected to the project who cannot test for the surname. Many of them cannot find the paper trail to each other and this could have helped. Many of them, like most genealogists, are retired on fixed incomes or have families and must limit their spending on this hobby.

I dearly hope 23andMe is not trying to be a mega company for the sake of gathering a fortune, but be more like those companies who are more (or at least equally) interested in the genealogy world along with their "bottom line." I hope this is not their "Waterloo," but they have just pushed away the largest part of the genealogy world. The average genealogist cannot afford this and will not spend the money on it.

We at ISOGG have tried so hard to get the general public to understand and accept DNA testing for genealogy, helping them with justifying the cost of the Ydna and mtDNA tests. How wonderful it would have been to have them see that more than these two lines of the lineage could be tested to find family. This is truly a step backward for us all.

IF anyone sees a window to better pricing with 23andMe at some time, please post. I am sure many of my project members and interested parties would be interested if the price is right.

just my opinion...
Emily
If you do not hear from me in a timely manner, just write again...I was buried in email. LOL
http://writingyourmemories.blogspot.com/
http://www.rootsweb.com/~orgco2/speaker/EmilyAulicino.html
http://genealem-geneticgenealogy.blogspot.com/
Northwest Regional Coordinator and Speaker for ISOGG (www.isogg.org)
Administrator for thirteen FTDNA DNA Projects

Will Genetic Genealogy Lose Its Place?

Currently legislation is being passed that will curtail the use of DNA testing for genealogy and cause it to be more expensive. Some states have already passed laws controlling companies who market DNA tests to the public and more laws are being established.

As this is a very important topic, I felt it is necessary to share an article written by Doris Wheeler with you so that everyone knows and understands how DNA testing may be jeopardized. Being that DNA testing is the most accurate tool a genealogist has, it is important that all of us understand the impact a few can have on many. There are geneticists that think genealogists do not understand genetics and that we believe everything any company claims (i.e., if you have a certain results for some markers you will get some disease or you can be a track star). There are many genealogists and genetic genealogists who believe that some geneticists as well as people from the medical field do not understand how DNA testing is helpful to genealogy. They wish to protect us from ourselves!

As a result we are seeing government legislation trying to protect the poor, dumb consumer. RIGHT! This type of legislation will greatly harm the genealogist's access to DNA testing thus prohibiting an opportunity to break through their brick walls.

Doris Wheeler addresses this topic clearly and urgest that all of us must become informed. I urge you to take action locally and not let misinformed scientists and legislators control our hobby. Write those editorials, call your legislators. Do what you can to protect the most valuable and accurate source we have for finding our ancestors.


Thank you Doris, for permission to post your article.

The following article was written by Doris Wheeler for her blog Genealogy and DNA at http://genealogyanddna.blogspot.com/



Will Genetic Genealogy Lose Its Place?

A small but vocal group of scientists and legislators are clamoring for government regulation of DNA testing. A few states have already succumbed to this hysteria, and Washington has dipped its toe into the murky waters.

What does this mean to family genealogists like us? It could mean that we would have to have our family doctor submit an order for us to obtain a simple Y-DNA test. And the results would go to him or her. (Could there be a touch of self-interest on the part of the scientific and medical community?) As genealogists, how many of us would be willing to involve our personal doctor in our genealogy quest – and pay for the privilege? What does our family doctor know about genealogy, and does he care? Is he really the best qualified person to interpret results for us? Did you ever think you would have to get your family doctor to approve before you could do genealogy? It all sounds rather silly to me.

One argument in favor of such regulation is that people do not understand what they are getting when they buy a test. But isn’t this true of many things? Isn’t it up to the consumer to research and understand what he is buying? Another is that there are claims being made by some companies that promise far more than they can deliver. But this is a fact of life. It is up to the consumer to evaluate these claims.

I am proud to know that Family Tree DNA (the company I have chosen for all my DNA Projects (see links in the sidebar) is the acknowledged leader in the business of genetic genealogical testing and, in fact, was awarded the Better Business Bureau’s Award for Excellence in customer service. Its website has been designated as the "Best Cutting Edge Web Site" by Family Tree Magazine. Even more important is the fact that Family Tree DNA (and ISOGG, the International Society for Genetic Genealogy) provides references to an extensive library of books, videos and scientific journals for its customers’ edification. It has knowledgeable people on staff (as well as a full complement of scientists) who can and do answer questions in a timely manner. It is deeply involved in scientific research to find new SNPs and STRs that offer new avenues to pursue for those who are interested in both anthropology and genealogy and in getting as much as possible out of their testing experience. (SNPs are the portions of DNA that reflect deep ancestry – thousands of years ago. STRs are the markers used for genealogical purposes.)

Another service provided by FTDNA is its support for “projects.” All project members benefit from that support by having access to significantly reduced prices and special promotions that are only available through projects. Additionally, volunteer project administrators like me are provided with ongoing education so that we can better serve our clients. We seek to educate and to help explain test results so that our clients do understand what they are buying and why, and what the results mean.

While the line between genetic genealogy and genome testing for health reasons is quite sharp, the naysayers are beginning to disregard that line and lump all genetic testing together. That is a sad day for genealogists who are just now beginning to reap the solid rewards of having databases that are large enough to provide answers to sticky questions. Ever larger databases of test results help all of us learn more about our family history and answer the age-old question, “Where do we come from?”. Any disruption of the flow of new testees is a disservice to those who have already tested and to the cause of genealogy for everyone. The jury is still out regarding the viability of genetic testing for disease. Obviously, again, the size of the database is critical and our knowledge will grow only as the database grows. And, in addition to all the reasons given above, there is the simple matter of personal choice that is taken away by increased regulation.

Since the key is an educated public, here are two websites that are highly recommended: www.isogg.org and www.thegeneticgenealogist.com.

Doris Wheeler, 8 Jul 2009

Who Do You Think You Are? Conference 2009: Researching Records

Most Americans have little idea what is available at the various archives in the UK and the Republic of Ireland. To assume the records are similar to ours and that the categories are alike is quite false. To the novice it can be quite mind-boggling.

Perhaps the most difficult aspect is the need for many Americans to have very old records available; that is pre 1700s as our families came to the colonies that early. Americans over the years have created a horde of paper records, unlike most countries.

WDTYTA? Conference allowed those who took the time to explore as many of the 200+ booths as possible, a glimpse at what is available. Booth after booth contained various county’s gleanings and surname organizations as well as books and magazines on a large variety of genealogical topics and representatives of the many National Archives.

The National Archives at Kew, the Scottish National Archives, the Irish National Archives, and the National Library of Wales are only a few of the locations that provide, not only online services, but a great deal of assistance to those who visit. Each of these were represented at the conference and it only took a few minutes for me to get the father of my David Storrier of Co, Angus, Scotland and to verify the locations I had were accurate. For just a few pence, I can now go online to search for more and see the primary documents. The National Library of Wales is currently surveying any interested persons to suggest what documents would be of use for their online services. Over the last few years in the U.S., we have seen many states place their birth, death and marriage records online.

My particular lines came to the U.S. in the 1600 and 1700s, leaving the research in the UK and the Republic of Ireland a bit tricky. Only my Gilmore-Storrier line came as late as 1838. Mostly parish records are available in these centuries unless your ancestor was in the military or connected to the government in some way. Luckily for me, my Welsh lines left a pedigree that has been supported by the old manuscripts. However, there is always some missing dates and places.

When all else fails, we can turn to DNA testing to help break those brick walls. Although Americans dearly hope that the British will be as enthusiastic about DNA testing as we are, many of us have either more disposable income or are more frivolous is how we spend our money. It is really hard to say and putting anyone in the same box is not a safe idea.

What I do know from attending the conference and helping at the FTDNA booth is that, like Americans, the British are very interested in solving questions of paternity, are curious about their most ancient roots, and are hoping to dissolve some brick walls…just like the rest of the genealogy and genetic genealogy world.

I’ve know a few genealogists from England and Wales who know a great deal about researching in the United States. Perhaps it is time that those of us who desire to find our ancestors in the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland take the time to learn how to research the many archives, public record offices, and family history centers of the area. Searching from a distance is always difficult, but is no reason to throw up our hands, and, of course, traveling to another country to research those records, and visiting the towns where your ancestors lived is a wonderful treat.

©Aulicno, 9 Mar 2009

Who Do You Think You Are? Conference 2009: Building Bridges

Many American genealogists cannot seem to bridge the gap between their family and their ancestors from the British Isles. We may know our family is from Ireland or Scotland, but to know the exact location is not often obtainable through our family folklore or our research.

This last week we may have begun closing that gap and building a strong bridge back to the motherland. We all find that preverbial brick wall sooner or later, and we all know that DNA testing can help break through those walls. However, without people testing their DNA in the various parts of the UK, many Americans may never find their roots across the pond. With the advent of Family Tree DNA attending the Who Do You Think You Are? Conference and with the overwhelming interest in their presentations as well as the number of tests sold, we may have just witnessed the strongest pipeline yet to linking both sides of the pond.

Building bridges was what this conference was for me.

Many bloggers have already posted information regarding the conference and some of those who attended WDYTYA are listed below. I do not wish to repeat their stories, but to give you my experiences and perspective. I was most pleased to actually meet some of the people with whom I have been corresponding and who are leaders in our field. To share a meal with them and to enjoy each others company was a pleasure. I thank all of you for what you bring to the genealogy and genetic genealogy table. Each of us has much to give and by doing so you enrich the lives of many.

Maureen Taylor, Photo Detective: http://blog.familytreemagazine.com/photodetectiveblog/?p_PageAlias=photodetective

Dick Eastman:
http://blog.eogn.com/eastmans_online_genealogy/2009/01/who-do-you-thin.html


The third annual Who Do You Think You Are? Conference at the Olympia Center in the Kensington area of London ran from February 27th to March 1st and provided, for the first time, Genetic Genealogy venues. This genealogical fair is the largest in the UK, and no doubt in the world. It is a by-product of the British interest in the BBC show by the same name. While showcasing a celebrity’s lineage, this TV program provides a wonderful view of British history. Being in London, I had the opportunity to see an episode and was delighted when the Thompson line was followed to early Virginia although my particular line landed in Massachusetts. Creating these connections between the countries and providing a historical view-point for the general public can only increase the interest in genealogy as well as genetic genealogy. Building bridges is the key.

Although the use of DNA testing for the genealogical research has only been mentioned in a few previous episodes, we may see more of its use in the American version, due to air this spring on the public broadcasting station, as executive producer Lisa Kudrow of the cast of Friends, has not only been tested by Family Tree DNA, but will be featured in the series along with other famous American actors.

Like several American genealogists, I made the trek to London this last week to participate in the first attempt to build a bridge between the two cultures in the field of Genetic Genealogy. Family Tree DNA brought Max Blankfeld, FTDNA Vice-president; Dr. Doron Behar, mtDNA specialist and an internationally known population geneticist; and Dr. Michael Hammer, geneticist, who runs the testing lab at the University of Arizona for FTDNA. Each of these plus genetic genealogy author Chris Pomery, ISOGG director Katherine Borges, and ISOGG coordinator for England and Wales, Brian Swann gave presentations on various aspects of genetic genealogy. The FTDNA booth was constantly a buzz explaining the benefits of using DNA for genealogy as well as taking many samples for testing. Although not an employee of Family Tree DNA, but an administrator of eleven DNA projects with them and an ISOGG regional coordinator and speaker, I volunteered to assist for the first two conference days as they were swamped. It was a delight meeting so many wonderful people and to have the opportunity to share my knowledge of genetic genealogy with them.

One of my proudest moments was to test Peter Beauclerk-Dewar, author of Royal Bastards: Illegitimate Children of the British Royal Family. Quite by accident, I had wanted to purchase his book earlier, but the store had sold out. When Mr. Beauclerk-Dewar pulled a copy of his book from a bag, I asked him where he had gotten it. His reply that he wrote it was a delight. After DNA testing he went home (just around the corner) to get me a copy. He graciously signed it to me personally and actually sold a few more copies to my traveling companions. Mr. Beaucler-Dewar told me that he had used Family Tree DNA to test some of the people in his book to prove their lineage to royal families, but now he was testing himself! More bridges being built.

Aside from the FTDNA booth and their speakers, over 200 genealogical groups from all over the UK participated. Representatives from various national archives, the National Library of Wales, genealogical groups, family associations, and much more attended. The traveler that I know made the longest journey was ISOGG member David Palmer who lives in Hong Kong. Dr. Doron Behar, previously mentioned, lives in Israel, so there could have been others who came great distances besides those of us in America.

I was delighted to meet Pauline Prynne of Photographs Retouched by Prynne (http://www.retouchedbyprynne.co.uk/) who stayed at the same hotel as I and my friends. We had a delightful time getting to know her at breakfast each morning. Her booth showed some wonderfully restored photos so be sure to check her webpage.

Irish Roots Magazine (http://www.irishrootsmedia.com/) discussed with me their interest in doing an article about the Ireland DNA Project I help administer at Family Tree DNA. It would be delightful to have their support though an article as it may lead to more interest in DNA testing as many Americans cannot locate the birthplace of their Irish ancestors and testing may be the only help. Building more bridges.

I’m also pleased to know that the National Library in Wales is planning to make many of their records available online. Recently, a survey allowed people to choose areas of interest as the library welcomes readers’ views on its exciting plans to make as much as possible of its Welsh collections available online. For any of you with Welsh ancestry, you might visit the following link to take the survey: www.scotinform.co.uk/Onlinesurveys/NLW/3/English/theatreofmemory3.htm?id=O2E79

I was very pleased to visit the Scottish National Archives booth (http://www.nas.gov.uk/) and to find another generation for my Storrier family through their site. I will be checking this resource further as I just know there must be more information.

For those of you who did not make it to London this last week, I urge you to visit the vendors list (http://www.whodoyouthinkyouarelive.co.uk/component/option,com_exhibitors/Itemid,29/) and click on the WebPages of the sites that interest you. As Americans we may not know all that is available to us, and this opportunity is possibly the bridge that we need.

Remember: Build Bridges.

Emily Aulicino
©Aulicino, 5 Mar 2009

SAVE GINA - The Genetic Information & Non-Discrimination Act

***UPDATE ON GINA.....The bill has passed and is now signed into law.***

Greetings!

This message is of most importance. Please read it and visit the link below.

http://www.isogg.org/savegina.htm

At this link you will find instructions to Save GINA. GINA stands for: "The Genetic Information and Non-Discrimination Act" There is also a contest to win a DNA test kit.

This bill keeps our DNA private. Insurance companies and employers cannot discriminate based on any genetic information. With medical science making such strides to determine which genes are related to which diseases in order to tailor-make medicines and procedures to help cure the illness, we need GINA to keep our information private, to prevent insurance companies from raising premiums or dropping us and to keep employers from refusing to hire those will the likelihood of an illness such as Cancer. One case I know is a woman who had breast cancer and when she had to change insurance, they refused coverage.

Senator Tom Coburn of Oklahoma has placed a "hold" on the bill to stall it from going to a vote in the Senate. The House has passed it in April 2007. Senator Harry Reid of Nevada is the Senate Majority Leader and can require the vote be taken if given 30 hours of discussion. Urge both of them to allow this bill to come to a vote. It will pass easily once it does.

This is of paramount importance and I know that most of us do not like to write our representatives, but this is our only voice in this matter and as all of you have shown an interest in DNA testing for genealogy, this can directly affect you. If the bill doesn't pass, many people will hear about it and hesitate to DNA test. We all know what that means.

I urge you to help by writing your representatives.
I urge you to share this with others who are interested in DNA Testing.
I urge you to share this will all friends and family as it will affect them at some point, as well.

Take the time today...just a few minutes; a few lines to your Senators and to Senators Coburn and Reid.

SAVE GINA

http://www.isogg.org/savegina.htm

Hurry! Email TODAY.

The Contest and your chance to win a DNA kit ends either March 31st, 2007, when Senator Reid calls for a vote or when Senator Coburn releases his "hold"...which ever comes first.

Thank you, Emily