Tag: genetic genealogy

Genetic Geneology - The DNA Reveal

MyHeritage DNA: Raw Data Uploaded

| Karen Galloway|1 Comment
Image of MyHeritage DNA Ethnicity Estimate
MyHeritage DNA Ethnicity Estimate

I finally got around to transferring  raw DNA data from AncestryDNA  to MyHeritage DNA. The nudge that I needed was a clarion call from genealogist Shannon Christmas  that MyHeritage DNA had added a chromosome browser , improved its matching algorithm, and that  he had received a great number of additional DNA matches. The MyHeritage company extended the invitation to transfer raw data from other autosomal DNA testing services for free over a year ago in 2016. MyHeritage DNA currently has more than 1.075 million people in the DNA database. I have shared my experience with some of the other testing platforms in an earlier post, “DNA Testing for Genealogy. Autosomal Testing Demystified”. Every time I receive the results from one of these tests or uploads, it’s as if I have thrown a party where the guests show up in the form of ethnicity estimates. When compared to previous parties (test result reveals), I usually…

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Genetic Geneology - The DNA Reveal

Opportunity Mourned, Life Celebrated – Our Elders

| Karen Galloway|7 Comments
Image of Funeral Procession by Ellis Wilson
"Funeral Procession" by Ellis Wilson

Lately, it seems as if  barely a week goes by without an elder in the family or community passing on. Last month it was Uncle Johnny, last week it was Mr. Jackson, this week, Uncle Buddy.  Our elders, especially the 80  and 90 somethings have really been bidding us adieu, like the carbonation bubbles that sit at the bottom of my glass and then suddenly release themselves , float to the top, and dissipate ,so these elders seem to be flying away at a rapid clip!  With advances in medicine and  improvement in overall quality of living , maybe there’s just more elders making it to 80 and beyond, and then dying.  On the other hand, perhaps this feeling of “lots more people dying” is just a naturally occurring phenomena for all of us as we ourselves age, as we continue on our own slow march toward death. I feel a…

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Genetic Geneology - The DNA Reveal

DNA Testing for Genealogy. Autosomal Testing Demystified

| Karen Galloway|6 Comments
AncestryDNA Ethnicity Estimate
AncestryDNA Ethnicity Estimate

My DNA testing journey began back in 2011 when  free tests were offered to the public via the Roots Into the Future Program – 23andme’s partnership with the National Urban League. They were looking for data, and many of us were looking for family history clues and more details regarding our ethnicity given our history in this country. We in the genealogy community were grabbing them up like…well, like they were free! With some of us,  “free” turned into “free-nzy”.  Needless to say , I am sure 23andme received more than enough  genetic data to fill their DNA coffers, I mean databases. I took the bait and ordered a few kits for family members. We received our kits, registered them, surrendered our spit, sent off the kits, and a number of weeks later we got an email saying our results were ready! We were then able to log in and see our…

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