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Heirlooms and Holidays

Friday, November 21st, 2008

Today, I got into my cedar chest to pull out the hand-made quilts we have from my husband’s grandmother. There were five all together. I’ve already given my children one each for use in their homes now that they are grown and gone. Three are now in the guest rooms waiting for loved ones. These quilts are among the heirlooms I pull out for November and December, when it can get a little chilly here in the Panhandle. Mostly, though, I pull these quilts out because of wanting to see and remember the years and and the family traditions. 

I always tell the children the origin of the quilts, and I know they are not listening. That’s OK. I believe it’s sinking into their subconscious,  maybe even their DNA.

Other heirlooms include the Christmas ornaments my mother gave the family, the ones I still give to my children (a new one each year, sometimes hand made, sometimes “store bought” but always with some significance about that year), the ones the children made when they were young, and the ones friends have given us over the years.

Also, certain traditions come out as well. An Advent Calendar and anAdvent Wreath come out the first Sunday in Advent, but the “Christmas” decorations have to wait for later in the month. Then, it’s angels, angels everywhere.

My mother’s recipe for toffee squares  and cheese straws and my recipe for cranberry-orange relish get made as often as necessary.

The  Bing Crosby, Elvis, and Gene Autry Christmas albums go into the CD carousel. “It’s a Wonderful Life ” and “White Christmas” must be watched at some point in December.

I think this year, I will try to write down each tradition, as I go through them, because some have become automatic. I need to record and document what we do and why, for future generations. Where the decorations came from and when. What each one means to me. I hope that 100 years from now, that will mean something to my (at this moment imaginary) descendants.

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Note: Next week, only two blog entries. Going to Kentucky for more traditions!

Posted in And More..., DNA, Uncategorized | 1 Comment »

MYHERITAGE AND FAMILY TREE DNA PARTNER TO HELP PEOPLE TRACE FAMILY HISTORY USING DNA

Thursday, November 20th, 2008


Tel Aviv, Israel and Houston, Texas – November 20, 2008 – MyHeritage, one of the world’s most popular family Web sites, today announced a partnership with FamilyTreeDNA, the company that pioneered DNA testing for genealogic research. In addition to MyHeritage’s innovative Smart Matching and Research technologies, members can now also use information contained in their DNA to find present-day relatives who share a common ancestor from many hundreds of years ago.

FamilyTreeDNA users can take advantage of MyHeritage’s site to not only further research family history, but also stay connected with current family members around the world.

“With close to 220,000 records, FamilyTreeDNA is the largest database of genealogic DNA information in the world. This provides the perfect complement to MyHeritage’s current research tools, giving our members another way to learn about where they come from,” said Gilad Japhet, founder and CEO of MyHeritage. “We help people around the world discover, connect and communicate with their extended family network and easily research their family history. Now, by working with
FamilyTreeDNA, we can offer a solution when the paper trail runs out.”

Since its founding in 2000, FamilyTreeDNA has tested over 450,000 people, help ing customers trace family history when no conventional records are available. The advanced DNA screening technology, among other things, can reveal Native American, African or Jewish descent on paternal or maternal lines, as well as uncover ancestral information for those who were adopted. Through a range of tests, users can obtain information on recent and historical origins, including a migration map on both paternal and maternal lines. MyHeritage’s 27 million users will have access to the following three tests:

  • Y-DNA25 – a Y-chromosome test for males (US$129)
  • mtDNA – a mitochondrial DNA test for males and females (US$129)
  • Y-DNA25 + mtDNA – a combined Y-chromosome and mitochondrial DNA test for
    males (US$219)

    • Bennett Greenspan, President and CEO of  familyTreeDNA, said, “MyHeritage is an invaluable resource when researching family history online, which is a perfect complement for our DNA research. Our DNA research can show two people that they are related, and MyHeritage’s Smart Matching technology can compare their family trees to show the connection. We are also excited to give our members, through MyHeritage, a way to stay connected with relatives all over the world.”

    MyHeritage is a leading online destination for families. On the site, people can find relatives, research family history, and stay connected to family members across the globe. In addition, MyHeritage offers automatic photo tagging technology that makes it easier to label, organize and search for digital photos, giving families another fun way to stay in touch.

    About MyHeritage
    MyHeritage was founded by a team of people who combine a passion for family history with the development of innovative technology. It is now one of the world’s leading online networks for families, and the second largest family history website. MyHeritage is available in 34 languages and home to more than 27 million family members and 280 million profiles. The company recently acquired Kindo, a family social network, and is based in Bnei Atarot, near Tel Aviv, Israel. For more information, visit www.myheritage.com. Find a video about MyHeritage’s new photo tagging features here:
    http://www.myheritage.com/blogs/companyblog/2008/09/get_to_know_our_smart_new_phot.html
    About Family Tree DNA
    Founded in April 2000, Family Tree DNA (www.familytreedna.com) was the first company to develop the commercial application of DNA testing for genealogical purposes: until then, testing had only been available for academic and scientific research. Since that time, the pioneering company has developed a breadth and depth of programs and services and created standards that have earned it international respect and made it the world’s most popular DNA-testing service not only for genealogists but for anyone interested in delving beyond the surface into family roots. Today, Family Tree DNA’s approaches 220,000 individual test records, making it the premier source for researching recent and distant family ties. Family Tree DNA has recently been featured in Time, Newsweek, the New York Times and the Los Angeles Times and on NBC-TV’s “Today Show” and CBS-TV’s “60 Minutes.”

    Posted in DNA, Genealogy Online, Genealogy Sites, News | 2 Comments »

    Ancient Family — A Murder Mystery

    Tuesday, November 18th, 2008

    Several news sources (see below) are reporting this morning a family dating back 4,600 years, found by archaeologists in Germany, were killed in a struggle. DNA shows that the family, huddled together, are a mother, father and two children, with some aunts and cousins nearby.

    The BBC story says in part,

    The son and daughter were buried in the arms of their parents.

    Dr Wolfgang Haak, from The Australian Centre for Ancient DNA, in Adelaide, conducted the DNA analysis. He says the scientific evidence supports the idea that they were indeed a family.

    "We're really sure, based on hard biological facts not just supposing or assuming."

    Other news sources covering this story:

    Using a Variety of Tools, Researchers Unravel Tale of German Graves

    End of a loving Flintstones family

    Ancient graves yield clues to family relationships

    Cold case: world’s oldest family identified

    Prehistoric Family Values

    Posted in And More..., DNA, Genealogy, News | 1 Comment »

    Time for another collection of Random DNA stories

    Monday, November 10th, 2008

    • In an attempt to make DNA diagnosis more available and affordable, nine people plan to post their medical records and the DNA sequence of about one-fifth of their genes on the Web.

    • The American College of Medical Genetics wants you to participate in Family Health History Day this Thanksgiving. Ask your family about health history and don’t believe the myth that DNA alone can help you determine your risk for inherited diseases.

    • Using light to alter the DNA of bacteria is an alternative to cholrine for cleaning drinking water.

    • Radiological health expert Daniel Hayes, Ph.D., of the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene suggests that a form of vitamin D could be one of our body’s main protections against damage from low levels of radiation, protecting our DNA from the same sort of damage as the bacteria above.

    • Want to know the genealogy of your loveable mutt? You can get a DNA test and find out.

      • PS Hi Matt!

    Posted in DNA, Genealogy | 1 Comment »

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