Family Research - Classes - Workshops - Consultation
Cortland New York was transformed into Evergreen Alabama for 2 days last week. Aunt Cissy brought so many pictures, family artifacts and stories that she had me saying “ya’ll” like a pro way before lunch time! But to me, the visit was far more than pictures and documents, all of which are in themselves treasures…
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It was Friday evening about 8:30 pm. Karen and I pulled into my sister’s driveway in Cortland, New York. She greeted us warmly with hugs and kisses, but I kept looking over her shoulder to get a look at the woman I came here to see. Apparently having nodded off after her long flight from…
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I’m promoting this event here on my blog to announce that there will be many interesting presentations from a wide variety of historians and genealogists from around Western Massachusetts and beyond. One of those presenters will be me! I’ll be highlighting the history of Springfield Massachusetts from its founding as a colonial plantation in 1636 to…
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Dave Robison – QuickLesson 2: Sources vs. Information vs. Evidence vs. Proof [1] As with any genealogical research question, establishing the accuracy of an item as simple as a date of birth can prove elusive and, at times, frustrating. In the case of one of my own direct ancestors, the search has taken me to…
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Here’s a neat article I found in my Feedly posts today. Click “Imagination Station” for a simple explanation of the DNA extraction process. They’re using strawberries in the video, but, as you’ll see, you could try it on just about any living matter…including yourself. The problem, of course, is other than having a dish of cloudy…
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UPDATE: We’re conducting a DNA series at Western Massachusetts Genealogical Society, Inc. We’re using Tom MacEntee’s DNA Boot Camp featuring Diane Eberle. A couple of weeks ago in our 6th session, we tried the strawberry DNA extraction test. In plastic storage bags, we mashed 5 or 6 strawberries in each. Separately, we mixed up batches…
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Here’s a device that I should have bought years ago. I’ve heard about it from colleagues. I’ve seen it in the exhibit halls at genealogy conferences. I’ve read about it in the ubiquitous advertising at Facebook and other social media. How could it be that helpful. Here’s how: Flip-Pal. It’s compact, fits in your backpack…
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Hard to notice the difference in the name, isn’t it. Considering that one of the services is selling their test for $69, our eyes seem to glaze over when it comes to the name. AncestryDNA has certainly had its ups and downs, but for the last several months or even a couple of years, they’ve improved…
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Many researchers justify their filing “system” with the defensive, “Oh, I know where everything is!” I know that’s what they say, because I’m saying that (to myself) all the time! I really do know where everything is, of course. It’s somewhere in my office, where else would it be? But if you really and truly…
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When the subject of DNA comes up, I like to give people the simplest answers so that their eyes don’t glaze over: The three types (Y-DNA, mtDNA, and atDNA) what each can do and what each CANNOT do. It’s important to have at least a basic understanding of your reasons to test so that you…
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