DNA - My World Part II

As a Genealogy Researcher, I see a need for this technology if you do not have a picture of an Ancestor, but do have their DNA, what that Ancestor may have looked like.

DNA Portrait - with the amazing technology of the world & USA in the last 30 years, between DNA, Computers, Internet, Genealogy which I have observed from hands on, listening to the News, watching Science & History TV shows and exploring the Internet...has and is astonishing.

Recently watching TV shows...Fringe, Continuum, Nikita, from the past shows involving Forensics far surpass flying to MARS or beyond finding Life elsewhere.

On the news this morning "Artist Heather Dewey-Hagborg" collects errant hairs, cigarette butts, fingernails, and discarded chewing gum from public places and using the DNA she finds, creates 3D portraits with a printer of how the owners of this discarded genetic material might look.

If you watch the video, to some this might sound gross, to others maybe "I shall not discard my cigarette butts, gum and wear a hat or hairnet.  All that we see and watch is Reality or in the making of the future, as writers, people relating to careers that explore, relating to technologies and science of today are foreseeing the future.

For many of us it is entertainment, an Ah or Wow factor when on the computer sailing the world of knowledge within the Internet, or bigger than life visually watching a movie on the Big Screen or 3D.  Somethings are just not meant to be viewed in 3D.

I only wish that in my High School days, this technology, knowledge and amazement was present as it is today...sure after High School, came "Man Walking on the Moon" however that was out of this World and a big achievement.  

Encourage your children and support them no matter their age, as they are our future, even if someone of us will not be around to see it, others of the future will benefit from them.  "Paying it Forward"

Imagination leads to Discovery, Development and Implementation = Reality

With the work Heather Dewey-Hagborg is doing, she can potentially see if a person is at a Health risk, cancer, diabetes, weight issues and with that knowledge Heather could know more about you than your Doctor does.

the Video links follow...choose the version of how this story is told...I watched all 3, absolutely fascinating.

http://youtu.be/bjsWmNRWMs4 - this video explains more on how Heather's work can assist Cold Cases

http://youtu.be/jIW5jubk8Ck - this video explains & shows the steps Heather takes in creating a 3D image from DNA, that is the likeness of your Family or someone within your Family as a Cousin.

http://vimeo.com/67763977 - DNA Portrait is a lovely short documentary, this video is 11:47 min - Referencing Heather's work, the lab she uses Genspace, sequencing the DNA therein to print 3D sculptures as shown below.

Every time we put our trash to the curb, a little of our DNA goes to the landfills.  A lot can be told of those living in a residence or working in a building, about who lives and works there.

D.R. "Doc" Young - drdocyoung.com / docs-2-cents-worth.blogspot.com

"Attention Ancestry dot.com Subscribers"

Note: Ancestry.com will undergo site maintenance"  Another message I get frequently is "You may be experiencing some intermittent service with the Ancestry.com website"...

...when accessing Ancestry from within FTM 2012 or their site and "We’ve designed a new image viewer that is faster, works across more devices and browsers, and includes interactive tools for key collections. This viewer will be discontinued soon."

I feel Your Frustrations, with 30+ yrs exp. with Computers, since before the WWW came online...and after 9.5 yrs as a subscriber to Ancestry.  Not Every PC User knows everything about Computers or more specifically their computer, myself included....especially with the Constant Technology Change of the electronic communication devices we use.

What Ancestry may not realize or concern they may lack for their Subscribers, that we come in All Ages, of different levels of Computer and Research experience.

I would venture to say the majority are over 60 yrs, some Subscribers are still using 56K modems, Windows 98 or XP possibly who may Experience Slowness (with their Internet Connection or Computer), or the loss of connectivity even with updated browsers, add-ons, plugins, after clearing Cache & Temp files of our Browsers, with Ancestry designing a new viewer, maybe without the option of Use the old viewer....could leave many behind.  I prefer the Old Search over the New Search.

Slowness may Not be Ancestry's Fault, as our connection via Phone, DSL, Cable or Wireless service may have issues by the Internet Service Providers we subscribe to, as Communication on the Internet does not travel in a direct line.

Another factor could be with Nature...as with Hurricanes or Volcano erruptions in one part of the World could affect our connectivity, or other atmospheric disturbances, electromagnetic interference, neighbors wireless network, even our own computer systems...there is not one direct or easy answer for any issue...that Computer Users or Subscribers may experience at any given hour of the day or of our location throughout the USA or World.

Even the amount of Bandwidth (often used as a synonym for data transfer rate - the amount of data that can be carried from one point to another in a given time period) being used at any given time could create an Internet Bottle-Neck (the "slowest" part of a system or device in the chain), a Router could be the bottle-neck.

Just like Traffic at Rush Hour by the number of Users accessing Ancestry or Any Server at one time, could create a Bottle-Neck.

All adding to the frustrations many Users/Subscribers may already have...I know from being a volunteer of over 50 Rootsweb lists, of the many I assisted over the years have expressed their frustrations with their searches on Ancestry and....those who use HQ or FamilySearch have similar comments.

Nothing is perfect, and I cannot even imagine the growth of Ancestry (worldwide) in the last couple three years, since inundating TV with their ads and TV show, the affect that has had.

I would like to be of more help for those with issues using Ancestry, as I spend 8-16 hrs a day researching, almost everyday.

I presume Ancestry's posting of their alerts as Intermittent Service or performing Maintenance, their current Enhanced Improvements and of those yet to come, will be changing how we as Subscribers may do business in the future with Ancestry.

There are those who do not like change, who are in their comfort zone and if it is working just fine why the change or better yet...the cost of this change and how it will impact us.

Fold3, previously Footnote.com launched in Jan 2007,  in October of 2010 Ancestry.com purchased iArchives, including Footnote.com.  In August 2011, Footnote.com was rebranded as Fold3.

There might be more division of Ancestry's record categories/type records...now with Ancestry's Research Packages/Membership of World Deluxe or US Deluxe, might be very expensive for those with little time to research, or on fixed income.  And without a One Stop Research Site, can be overwhelming on where to look for records.

The other day I was sent an e-mail from Ancestry offering "Save 50% on a Fold3 membership"  my thought, will all Military Records now available at Ancestry move to Fold3.

And what changes are to come to Ancestry.

Regards, Doc
drdocyoung.com
40 miles from Ancestry in Utah

Mundia vs Ancestry ?

Mundia vs Ancestry ? - I am not crazy about Mundia, and I understand that if I delete my Mundia account will affect my Ancestry Family Tree. and I read this...

Mundia? Oh no! Ancestry.com strikes again

Ancestry's new Mundia website, but Ol' Myrt here definitely will not join thanks to Bill West who explained on Facebook that he was going to join Mundia until he read the Terms of Use.

Most of us skip over terms of service screens as they are somewhat generic. But thankfully, Bill took the time and discovered Ancestry.com's

Click on what Ancestry stated

Mundia's FAQ

What's in a Name

What is in a Name

Institute for Canine Forensics

Institute for Canine Forensics  (ICF)

A Non-Invasive Search Tool to Locate Human Remains, Specializing in Historic and Prehistoric Burials

Video - ICF canine resources have been used by cultural resource management firms, archaeologists, American Indian tribes, construction companies, federal, state and local agencies, cemetery preservation foundations and families looking to locate lost family cemeteries.

Why Some Research Documents are Difficult to Transcribe

Why Some Research Documents are Difficult to Transcribe for Indexing - a short slideshow (auto or manual advance)

Where Do You Begin - Insight to Genealogy Research

What to expect....online Genealogy Research has come along way since the 1995, and the growth of the Internet, connecting People from all over the World and the USA.  

Technology has made major improvements, the ability to translate a Foreign Language or Website, making it possible to converse with about any one, any where.

I have assisted Genealogy Researchers (beginners, novice, experienced) via my Genealogy Research site, that of Rootsweb's Mailing Lists and word of mouth.

At Last Count from 27 States & 11 Countries, AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DE, FL, IA, ID, IL, IN, MA, MD, MT, ND, NE, NJ, NY, OK, OH, PA, TN, TX, VA, WI, WV, WY

Australia, Canada, Egypt, England, Finland, Ireland, Israel, New Zealand, Russia, Scotland, Slovakia, and Sweden...for over 650 researchers and thousands of Ancestors, not of my own.  I am of Hungarian, Portuguese (Azores), Irish, English & Scottish Descent.

In 20 years, I have connected to Cousins, Uncles, Grandmothers & Grandfathers, Siblings in touch with biological parents & grandparents, Niece, Nephew & my own Son.  I have found the living and the deceased, you are only limited by how much you want to learn, know and find out.

Main research ingredients are:

• Time available to devote to Research
• Computer & Internet accessibility
• Genealogy Software for tracking your Lineage, documents, notes, names, places, dates, and events
• Old School - Notebooks/Binders, protector sleeves
• Start with yourself, your parents, grandparentsBack Up Back Up - Store in 2 locations - 1) Online is Good  2) at Work

Your Journey may Begin about 150 years ago, 62 people who are directly responsible for your existence.  As you have two parents, four grandparents, eight great-grandparents, sixteen great-great-grandparents, and thirty-two great-great-great grandparents. Or 5 Generations

For now focus on the Tree Trunk (direct lineage), Main Limbs as yourself & your siblings, save some of the Branch lateral lineage for later.  It is important to have a good foundation to work from, that of the roots.

Do you Remember their Names, When and Where Born ? even about years born, and location is a start.  Family Bible or other historical records researched by other members of your family, if possible to interview, record those living, same of photo albums, etc.

Searching records could be challenging as Names may have been indexed / spelled many ways, error in transcribing the actual records, condition of the documents, recording official's penmanship, spelling, inks spots, smudges, looping J L G Y  M's looking like N, D's like O's and with the census the Head of House may not be the one to always provide the information to the Enumerator/Census taker.

Not every Spouse knows about their Spouse's family, there maybe family secrets, only know what they have been told, and be prepared for surprises.  Information that does not match Family Stories.

Most Record Databases record Name, When and Where born, Where living at the time of Record Event you seek to know/find about your Ancestor.  It is helpful to know Full Name if possible, if they have a Middle Name or a middle Initial, Surname/Maiden, about the Year born, and where i.e. County/State or Country.

Same information of any siblings, parents, and their children.  Developing good Organization Skills, as one can become overwhelmed or frustrate, tired, and if you type making a mistake in spelling, there is a good chance so did the Recording Official make with Pen & Quill, Pencil or if a typewriter used.
 
The year is 1620 (MDCXX) a leap year starting on Wednesday, the date 31 Jul - Pilgrim Fathers depart (through England) to America, 

15 Aug - Mayflower sets sail from Southampton with 102 Pilgrims
19 Nov - Mayflower reaches Cape Cod & explores the coast
21 Nov - Pilgrim Fathers reach America: Provincetown Harbor, MA
21 Nov - Mayflower Compact signed by Pilgrims in Cape Cod, MA
11 Dec - 103 Mayflower pilgrims land at Plymouth Rock
26 Dec - Pilgrims arrived at Plymouth, MA

Some Historical moments/events affect changes in life for our Ancestor's as above, however Your Ancestor's may have arrived later before the Revolutionary War, Presidency, War of 1812, Texas declares independence from Mexico, 1846 War with Mexico, 1849 California Gold Rush, 1859 Oregon admitted as State, 1861 Civil War, 1898 Spanish American War, 1903 Wright Brothers First Flight, 1906 San Francisco Earthquake, 1914 World War 1, 1939 World War 2, 1961 Vietnam

Understanding a Period in Time or History, Records taken, of their Emigration, Migration, Immigration, The Great Depression, etc...depending on how far back in time you wish to travel on this Journey you are about to Embark on, if Irish the "Great Famine" a period of mass starvation, disease and emigration between 1845 and 1852.

Another "Great Famine of 1315–1317", the first of a series of large scale crises that struck Europe early in the fourteenth century.  Affecting continental Europe, extending East to Russia, South to Italy and North to Great Britain.
Irish Famine (1740–1741), sometimes called the "Forgotten Famine" or the Scottish Famine (1780-89), last widespread famine across Scotland, India, Ethiopia, Chinese, Russian, etc...and Wars changed the course of our Ancestors.
 
Faces of America - PBS - the dynamic and shifting relationship America had with her new immigrants in the 20th century DNA is a good way of knowing about your Ethnicity, Locations throughout the World we may have came from
 
Men - Highest level of Y-DNA tests = 111-marker matches are highly likely to be related within the past 4 generations.

Women - the Mitochondria test to learn about your maternal line origin and find matches in your direct maternal line.

DNA   
    Determine if two people are related
    Determine if two people descend from the same ancestor
    Find out if you are related to others with the same surname
    Prove or disprove your family tree research
    Provide clues about your ethnic origin


10 Things Our Genes Tell Us - Discovery


And what Genealogy Research can lead to 

The 21st Century to be the Greatest Stage in Exploration in the History of Man-kind, revealing of our Past and the use of Modern day DNA to Map out the Human Race (Gene Geography) and using Technology to explore the Earth from Satellite of images and Arm-chair Archaeologist for something hidden that was Man-Made.