If you are in the Mt. Clemens area, PLEASE JOIN US.
See you soon at the Mt. Clemens Public Library!
LE
Monday, October 30, 2017
MCGG's Next Friday Meeting is Nov. 3
If you are in the Mt. Clemens area, PLEASE JOIN US.
See you soon at the Mt. Clemens Public Library!
LE
Sunday, October 29, 2017
Autosomal Transfers to Family Tree DNA are Now Just $10 Until the End of October
What is an Autosomal DNA Transfer?
Well, if you have tested your autosomal DNA with another DNA testing company such as AncestryDNA, 23andMe or MyHeritageDNA you can download your raw DNA data from that company's site and then upload that data to Family Tree DNA so you can compare your test to the FamilyFinder database at Family Tree DNA. (FamilyFinder is what FTDNA calls its autosomal DNA tests.) No "spit" is transferred between websites, just data.
What autosomal DNA tests can be transferred?
Currently data from the following autosomal DNA tests can be transferred to the autosomal test database at Family Tree DNA:
23andMe version 3 and version 4 chips
23andMe version 1 and version 2 chips can not be transferred. As of August 2017, 23andMe switched to a version 5 chip which is the new Global Screening Array chip that tests less locations and is currently not compatible either.
AncestryDNA version 1 and version 2 chips
Ancestry changed test chips in mid-May 2016 so tests results since then are on the v2 chip.
MyHeritageDNA*
*Transfers of tests done at MyHeritageDNA actually get full access with the free transfer so there is no unlocking fee. (We learned something new by reading all the Frequently Asked Questions. So it pays to read all those details.) MyHeritageDNA tests are actually processed at the Family Tree DNA lab but MyHeritageDNA has its own reference populations for determining ethnicity mixture and its own algorithms for determining matches.
One thing to note is that transfers of tests on the AncestryDNA v2 chip and the 23andMe v4 chip receive all but the most speculative matches (6th to remote cousins) because these chips are not fully compatible.
Why would you want to transfer your results?
It gets your autosomal DNA into another "pond" of potential DNA matches. Remember, not everyone who has tested has tested at each DNA testing company and you do not know where someone might have tested. So it is to your advantage to "fish in as many ponds as you can" to find those matches. (Testing at every company you can is a recommended strategy for those, such as adoptees, searching for unknown family.)
Doing an autosomal transfer is a cost effective way to fish in two ponds. Autosomal DNA tests normally cost about $89 to $99 plus shipping depending on the testing company but often these tests can be found on sale for between $69 and $89. So a transfer gets you into a second pond for about a third of the cost. (And if you got your original test on sale, it can almost be looked at as two tests for the price of one.)
Please note, that if you have already tested someone's autosomal DNA directly at Family Tree DNA you do not need to do an autosomal transfer of that same person's test from another company. Because you will very likely get the same results as the test you did directly with Family Tree DNA.
But if you tested yourself or someone else at one of these other companies, you might want to consider doing an autosomal transfer (or a few) to Family Tree DNA. If the test you plan to transfer is someone else's DNA, make sure you have that person's okay to do so.
If you previously did an autosomal transfer but did not unlock the rest of your test results for the $19 fee, perhaps this sale will make it worthwhile for you to unlock them now since it is just about half price for the next few days.
What costs are involved?
The Autosomal Transfer is actually free and this allows you to see all of your matches in Family Tree DNA's FamilyFinder database. It also lets you use the Family Finder Matrix which lets you select up to ten matches to compare to see if they match each other like they match you. Depending on the volume of submissions it can take between one to twenty-four hours for the autosomal transfer results. Once you have your initial free results then you can decide to unlock (or not) the rest of your test results. So don't wait to long to decide to transfer and unlock all of your results.
To fully access your autosomal DNA transfer it normally costs $19 to unlock the rest of the test results. (*See the above exception for MyHeritageDNA transfers.) Unlocking allows you to access the Chromosome Browser (where you can see which chromosome segments you share with matches), your ethnicity mixture called MyOrigins, your ancientOrigins mixture, and it allows you to contact your matches if they have allowed matches to see their emails.
How do you get the sale price?
By using coupon code ATUL1017 the unlock fee drops to just $10.
If your autosomal DNA test happens to be on one of those chip versions that are not compatible and will not transfer, take note that the FamilyFinder (autosomal) test at Family Tree DNA is currently on sale for $69 plus shipping.
See you soon at Mt. Clemens Public Library!
LE
Thursday, October 19, 2017
Recently Released just this Past Weekend: In Their Words Volume IV: German
This past weekend the new book In Their Words: A Genealogist's Translation Guide to Polish, German, Latin and Russian Documents, Volume IV: German by William F. Hoffman and Jonathan D. Shea was released.
"The 665-page work is designed to help genealogical researchers find and understand German-language records that will tell them about the lives of their ancestors and relatives," according to the website. There is a section of example documents from the United States and Europe, as well as chapters on German grammar phonetics and structure, locating records in the United States, finding places and using gazetteers, a German letter writing guide, a vocabulary guide, and a list of common German given names and their equivalents in other European languages, and an index.
The book is available direct from Language and Lineage Press for $49 plus $5 shipping. You can print an order form and send a check with it, or send an email and directions to pay by PayPal will be sent to you.
But please note that the authors are currently awaiting a new shipment of books from the printer because they have already sold out of the copies of volume four that they had on hand. Update: The authors should be restocked next week.
The Polish Genealogical Society of America is also selling the book for $50 plus $4 shipping as a Pre-Order purchase. PGSA's shipment of books from the printer is currently on its way to them. Those who are PGSA members will get a member discount when ordering thru PGSA. Update: PGSA has received its shipment and started shipping the book today.
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| In Their Words volumes one thru three at MCPL. |
Earlier volumes in the series are also available from a few other retailers. See the order information page on Language and Lineage Press website for details of who is carrying which volumes.
Our favorite library Mount Clemens Public Library already has the first three volumes of the In Their Words series: Volume 1 Polish, Volume 2 Russian and Volume 3 Latin. So if you are in need of Polish, Russian and Latin help, the books are awaiting your use.
See you soon at Mt. Clemens Public Library!
LE
Tuesday, October 17, 2017
NSDAR Alexander Macomb Chapter hosts free Genealogy and Lineage Workshop
Bring your family records and your research questions. Lineage research assistance and application filing is the main focus. However, anyone interested in learning to track his or her roots is welcome to attend the workshop at any time throughout the morning. Experienced DAR members will be available to help you.
For more information contact the Alexander Macomb DAR chapter.
See you soon at Mt. Clemens Public Library!
LE
Roseville Family History Center to Close Nov. 1, Merges with Bloomfield Hills FHC
"Initially, the plan is to have the most recent extended films (the ones in the file cabinet near the main door) transferred to the Bloomfield Hills FHC for use by the patrons who ordered them. Ultimately, the needed equipment and remaining films will also be transferred over," according to the announcement.
Entrance to the Bloomfield Hills FHC is by the NorthWest door at the back of the redish-brick church building. Upon entering, proceed straight ahead down the North hallway to the East hallway, turn right (south) and the entrance to the FHC is the third door on your left (East) side.
To see the locked digitized microfilm that is only available to view when visiting the Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah; a local Family History Center; or an approved Family History Center affiliate location, you must use the patron computers of that facility. Remember to bring a USB drive with you if you hope to download any record images. The Bloomfield Hills Family History Center currently has about six or eight computers for patron use.
See you soon at Mt. Clemens Public Library!
LE
Thursday, October 12, 2017
5th National Archives Virtual Genealogy Fair on October 25 from 10 am to 4 pm
All session videos and handouts are available free of charge and are accessible from the Virtual Genealogy Fair page of the National Archives website.
The virtual day starts off at 10 a.m. Eastern Time with opening remarks. Topics include taking care of heirlooms, tax records, accessing burned records, as well as two sessions on working with records from the War Relocation Administration for finding Japanese American relocatees in other records and deciphering electronic records on Japanese Americans interned during World War II. Closing remarks are at 4 p.m. Eastern Time.
The day's events will be recorded and made accessible for free to those who can not attend/watch the presentations live.
See you soon at Mt. Clemens Public Library!
LE
Wednesday, October 11, 2017
The MCGG Let's Talk...Genealogy Meeting Starts at 7 p.m. Tonight at MCPL!
We'll share resources found on the Archives of Michigan website as well as tips and tricks for better results.
New attendees are always welcome.
See you soon at the Mt. Clemens Public Library!
LE
It's Back ... October is Family History Month ... Focus on Your Genealogy!
Note: This post was originally made October 5, 2017, at 9:56 p.m. ET. We've added some additional information.How did so many pages of the calendar flip? Time is flying by because it is once again October -- which means it is Family History Month in the United States!
As you know from years past MCGG encourages everyone to do something for his or her own genealogy this month! Though we are a little late this year mentioning our favorite hobby's "month of honor" you can do something each day or week using cues inspired by other national or international days of honor. Whether it is a bunch of little tasks, a couple larger tasks or some of each take time this month to do something for your genealogy.
Keep in mind that there are often many genealogy "free-access" and sale offers in honor of this month so stay tuned here and keep an eye out for them yourself. But do be careful: know what you are accessing/buying and from whom.
For those October days that have passed already, do the inspiration task suggestion on another day if they inspire you more than another day's suggestion.
October 1 - 31 -- Family History Month in the United States.
It is also Computer Learning Month so check out a book or watch a webinar on how to use one of your genealogy-related programs ... or your computer; and it is American Archives Month so plan a future research visit to your state or local archive.
Additional month of October observations are: Polish-American Heritage Month, German American Heritage Month (Sept. 15 - Oct. 15), Filipino American History Month, LGBT History Month, National Cyber Security Awareness Month, National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, National Dyslexia Awareness Month, National Hispanic Heritage Month (Sept. 15 - Oct. 15), and National Work and Family Month to name just a few. So take sometime to research the Polish, German, Filipino, Hispanic branches in your family tree. And/Or take inspiration from the other month long observations to focus on some aspect of your family's history this month.
The week of October 1 - 7 (the first full week) is Mystery Series Week, plan to focus on the mysterious ancestors in your tree. Take another try at finding those elusive ancestors. The week of October 2 - 8 is National Carry A Tune Week, plan to focus on those ancestors known for their musical talent. The week of October 2 - 8 is Spinning and Weaving Week, plan to focus on those ancestors who were spinners or weavers.
October 1 -- National Homemade Cookies Day. It's not genealogy related or is it? Bake up a batch of grandma's or great grandma's cookies from a passed-down recipe. If grandma is still living, visit or call her and talk to her about her -- informally interview her. International Day of Older Persons. Visit or call and talk to an older relative about his/her life and memories -- do an informal interview.
October 2 -- National Name Your Car Day. Scan those photographs with your ancestors and their cars, or write down your car memories of your own.
October 3 -- National Techies Day. Spend sometime organizing the files on your hard drive and backing up your hard drive. Learn a new program or simply enter into your genealogy program that information you have been meaning to do.
October 4 -- National Tacos Day; National Golf Lover's Day; National Vodka Day. Use today to research/focus on your Mexican/Spanish, Scottish, or Russian ancestors. National Pumpkin Seed Day (first Wednesday in October.) Write down your Halloween or farm harvesting memories. National Walk to School Day (first Wednesday in October.) Write down the memories of your and your children's first days of school and/or how you/they would get to school. Ask an Archivist Day. Sponsored by The Society of Archivists, use your Twitter account to ask your archive question using the #AskAnArchivist hashtag.
October 5 -- National Do Something Nice Day and National Apple Betty Day. Use today to share something with a relative, or to research/focus on a Betty (Elizabeth) in your ancestry. National Rhode Island Day. Spend some time researching your Rhode Island ancestors. World Teachers Day. Spend some time researching relatives who were teachers.
October 6 -- National German-American Day. Use today to research/focus on your German ancestors. National Mad Hatter Day. Got a hatter in the family? Use today to research that relative. National Noodle Day. So many nationalities are known for noodles, pick one and research your ancestors of those nationalities or who lived in those countries. World Smile Day (first Friday in October.) Scan some of those ancestral photos (even those without smiles) or print out some of your digital photos.
October 7 -- International Frugal Fun Day. Spend some time researching on your favorite or a new-to-you free genealogy website. International Newspaper Carrier Day. Use today to investigate digitized newspapers for your ancestors. Or re-read your newspaper finds to see if you missed something.
October 8 -- National Pirogi Day. Use today to research/focus on your Polish ancestors. Clergy Appreciation Day (second Sunday in October.) Research your clergy ancestors today and appreciate those in your life today.
The week of October 9 - 15 is Healthcare Security & Safety Week, plan to focus on those ancestors who worked in the healthcare or police/security fields. The second week of October is National Newspaper Week, plan to focus on those ancestors who worked in the newspaper field or research your ancestors in digitized newspapers.
October 9 -- National Leif Erikson Day. Use today to research/focus on your Nordic ancestors. National Native American Day (second Monday in October.) Use today to research/focus on your Native American ancestors. Curious Events Day. Try investigating a mystery in your family tree. Columbus Day (second Monday in October.) Use today to research/focus on your immigrant ancestors. Thanksgiving Day in Canada (second Monday in October.) Use today to research your Canadian ancestors, or those that lived there for a time.
October 10 -- World Post Day. Use today to investigate your postal carrier ancestors. Or to transcribe some family letters. National Cake Decorating Day and National Angel Food Cake Day. Use today to research/focus on your baker ancestors, or to concentrate on finding any birth records you do not already have for your ancestors. Or write down your memories about family gatherings like birthdays, anniversaries, reunions, etc.
October 11 -- National Fossil Day (on Wednesday of the second full week in October.) Use today to research/focus on your end-of-line ancestors. What sources have you missed in trying to research these ancestors? Are any now available online? They may not be indexed but they may now be accessible. Or research the life of your longest living relative. International Day of the Girl Child. Pick a female ancestor and spend some time today researching her. National Sausage Pizza Day. Research your butcher ancestors or your Italian ancestors. Take Your Parents to Lunch Day. Use today to research/focus on your parents. National Emergency Nurse's Day. Use today to research/focus on your ancestors who worked in the health care industry.
October 12 -- National Farmer's Day. Use today to research/focus on your farming ancestors. National Gumbo Day. Use today to research/focus on your Louisiana ancestors. National Vermont Day. Research any Vermont ancestors you may have. Cookbook Launch Day. Use today to research your female ancestors. Or, create "family cookbook" of your own with treasured, passed-down recipes or more current family favorites. Make it a project and you'll have made a holiday gift item. Moment of Frustration Day. Re-examine one or more of your "brickwall" ancestors and create a plan to knock down that wall. There are lots of ideas for how to do something for your genealogy today.
October 13 -- National Train Your Brain Day. Use today to learn something new. Watch a genealogy webinar, or read a genealogy book. National Yorkshire Pudding Day. Use today to research/focus on your English ancestors. Navy Birthday. Use today to research/focus on your naval/seafaring ancestors. International Skeptics Day. Take another look at those family branches that might be a little shaky. International Day for Disaster Reduction. Use today to shore up your genealogy's ability to survive in event of a disaster.
October 14 -- National Dessert Day. Use today to bake a family favorite dessert. Or to work on your family recipe book. National Motorcycle Ride Day (second Saturday in October.) Scan photos of your relatives with their motorcycles or write your memories of them or your first ride on a motorcycle.
The third week of October is Teen Read Week and National Friends of Libraries Week, plan to focus on those ancestors who were librarians. Or search for your ancestors in digitized books.
October 15 -- National Cheese Curd Day. Use today to research/focus on your dairy farmer ancestors. National I Love Lucy Day. Use today to record your memories of your funniest relatives. National Grouch Day. Use today to record your memories of your grumpiest ancestors. International Day of Rural Women. Use today to research your female ancestors who lived in the country or on a farm. If your Mom grew up on a farm, informally interview her about it. National White Cane Safety Day. Research your ancestors/relatives who were or went blind.
October 16 -- National Department Store Day. Use today to research or write about your ancestor/relatives that worked in a department store. National Clean Your Virtual Desktop Day. Do exactly what the day says -- clean your desktop and organize your computer files! National Boss's Day. Research your ancestors who owned their own businesses.
October 17 -- National Mulligan Day. Use today to "do something over." Revisit a problem or ancestor the eluded you once before. National Black Poetry Day. Use today to research/focus on your African American ancestors.
October 18 -- National Chocolate Cupcake Day. Have a cupcake, with all this genealogy you need to keep your energy up.
October 19 -- National Kentucky Day. Use today to focus your research on your Kentucky ancestors. Evaluate Your Life Day. In the spirit of this day spend some time re-evaluating your research efforts on a particular problem.
October 20 -- World Statistics Day. Even though numbers are not the goal of your genealogy, use today to see how many ancestors you know or how many sources you have in your genealogy.
October 21 -- Sweetest Day. Use today to concentrate your research on finding any marriage records you do not already have for your ancestors. Or, as you show your "sweetests" you care, talk to them about themselves -- another opportunity to informally interview your relatives.
October 22 -- National Mother-in-law Day. Use today to research/focus on your spouse's mother's ancestors.
The week of October 23 - 29 is Get Organized Week, plan one or two days or an hour each day to organize your genealogy papers.
October 23 -- National Boston Creme Pie Day. Use today to research/focus on your Massachusetts ancestors. Swallows Depart from San Juan Capistrano Day. Use today to research/focus on your immigrant ancestors. Look again for those that are eluding your research efforts.
October 24 -- United Nations Day. Use today to research/focus on an ancestor you put off researching because he/she is a nationality you have not researched before.
October 25 -- International Artists Day. Use today to research/focus on your ancestors who were artistically inclined.
October 26 -- National Tennessee Day. Use today to research/focus on your ancestors Tennessee ancestors. National Day of the Deployed. Use today to research/focus on your military ancestors.
October 27 -- Navy Day. Use another day today to research/focus on your naval/seafaring ancestors. National Tell a Story Day in Scotland and the U.K. Try writing your memories about a particular relative. Or, write down those stories of your ancestors/family that you heard growing up. World Day for Audiovisual Heritage. Use today to interview a relative or transcribe a previously recorded interview.
October 28 -- National Make a Difference Day. Use today to help someone else with their genealogy. National Chocolate Day. With all this genealogy, here is a reminder to buy some Halloween candy. Trick-or-Treat is just three days away.
October 29 -- National Hermit Day. Use today to research/focus on your ancestors who did not marry or have children. Sometimes the probates of those without direct heirs can be goldmines.
October 30 -- National Speak Up for Service Day. Use today to research/focus on your ancestors who did a good deed. Look for them in digitized newspapers.
October 31 -- Halloween. Do some more cemetery research or research probate records for your ancestors today. And, take a little break from genealogy to pass out some candy tonight. You did remember to buy some trick-or-treat candy right? Girl Scout Founder's Day. Use today to write about your memories in scouting no matter if you are a boy or girl. World Cities Day. Research your ancestors in city directories.
See you soon at Mt. Clemens Public Library!
LE
Tuesday, October 10, 2017
Five Free BCG Day of Quality Education Webinars Available until October 13, 2017
Here are the five presentations.
Using Timelines for Correlation and Analysis
by Jill Morelli, CG
Sweden's Multiple Naming Systems and How They Changed in the 1800s
by Martha Garrett, CG
Reasonably Exhaustive Research of African American Families That Came Out of Slavery
by LaBrenda Garrett-Nelson, JD, LLM, CG
Land, Licenses, Love Gone Wrong, and Other Assorted Courthouse Records
by Ann Staley, CG, CGL
Systematically Using Autosomal DNA Test Results to Help to Break Through Genealogical Brick Walls
by Tom Jones, PhD, CG, CGL
You can learn more about the Board of Certified Genealogists from its website. But be aware that BCG's website is undergoing updates so you may need to check back if the site is temporarily down. The above webinars are at the Legacy Family Tree Webinars website and are not affected by the BCG website update.
See you soon at Mt. Clemens Public Library!
LE
Monday, October 9, 2017
The Next Let's Talk...Genealogy Meeting is this Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2017!
We'll share resources found on the Archives of Michigan website as well as tips and tricks for better results.
New attendees are always welcome.
See you soon at the Mt. Clemens Public Library!
LE
Saturday, October 7, 2017
Ancestry.ca offers Free Access for Canada's Thanksgiving Holiday
Included in this free access offer is access to all Canadian and Immigration Records. A list of included database collections can be found here. If you are not in Canada you may get a message about directing you to another Ancestry site for your country, just click continue to Ancestry.ca (the Canadian site) to be able to access the free access offer.
To participate in the free access offer you will need to register for free with the Ancestry.ca website to receive a username and password. The easiest way to do this is to perform a search from the free access weekend page and then click to view a record, you will then be asked to create a free registered account.
Enjoy searching for your Canadian ancestors.
See you soon at Mt. Clemens Public Library!
LE
Genealogists Beware ... Scammers are Afoot -- Keep Yourself Safe Out There!
This scam we heard of was a website offering free ebooks or printing of books that are obviously still under copyright by their authors and publishers. The old adage "if it sounds too good to be true then it probably is not" holds true for this scam. The free offer requires creating a username and password and then asks for credit card information for "verification." In the very fine and faint print there is note of cancelling within seven days or a monthly membership fee will be charged. Obvious misrepresentation is occurring here. In this case the website starts off as liverpoolofficial.com and then as you are registering it switches to filesfetcher website which is a known name of a browser hijacker. So be aware and stay away from too good to be true offers.
And as a reminder, always be on the look out for email phishing scams of any kind that make it through your email provider's spam filter. Protect yourself by stopping before acting. Ask yourself would the purported company/individual make contact using email (or even by telephone) and make such an offer or demand. BUT above all do not click on any links in that questionable email. If you are unsure investigate the email offer/demand by other means. One way is to ask a more technological-aware family member or friend is the email/phone offer/demand a scam?
Lastly, be careful what you click on while browsing the internet. Make sure your devices are running security software that helps protect you from those links and ads to bad places. But remember you are your first defense by surfing the world wide web smartly.
Stay safe out there.
See you soon at Mt. Clemens Public Library!
LE
Thursday, October 5, 2017
MCGG's Next Friday Meeting is Tomorrow
If you are in the Mt. Clemens area, PLEASE JOIN US.
See you soon at the Mt. Clemens Public Library!
LE
Lapeer County Genealogical Society will Meet on Oct 12, 2017, in Lapeer
This month's meeting is annual joint meeting of the Lapeer County Genealogy Group and the Lapeer County Historical Society. The annual dinner begins at 6 p.m. for those who sent in their reservations and checks by the October 6 deadline.
At 7 p.m. there is a free presentation for all even if you are not attending the dinner. Tom Powers will present Wild Wild Midwest: Crime in the 20s & 30s. The topic is Michigan bank robbers based on Power's new book, Stick'Em Up: Michigan Bank Robberies of the 1920s and 1930s.
See you soon at Mt. Clemens Public Library!
LE
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