Just 3 Days until Free Autosomal DNA Transfers to MyHeritageDNA End

MyHeritageDNA is still offering FREE DNA transfers until December 1, 2018, so if you already tested at another DNA testing company you can download your RAW DNA data from that site and upload it to MyHeritage for free. This is a great way to get your tests into a different "pool" of potential DNA matches. You never know where someone tested. We suggest if you are going to do a transfer make sure you do so by November 30 to ensure your tests qualify to be grandfathered in.

MyHeritageDNA accepts raw DNA data from Family Tree DNA, AncestryDNA (V1 and V2 version chips), and 23andMe (V2, V3 and V4 chips.) Very recently MyHeritage began supporting uploads of 23andMe (v5) and LivingDNA data files which are on the GSA chip.

Users that upload their DNA data files prior to December 1, 2018, receive full access to DNA Matching, Ethnicity Estimates, chromosome browser and more for free. This free access for all DNA data that is uploaded to MyHeritage before December 1, 2018, will continue to enjoy full access to all DNA features for free because these uploads will be grandfathered in and will remain free.

For DNA data files uploaded after December 1, 2018, DNA matching will remain free for uploaded DNA data but unlocking additional DNA features (like ethnicity estimate, chromosome browser and some others) will require an extra payment.

Not sure how to download your raw DNA data from the site you tested on and how to upload it? Check this MyHeritage help page.

See you soon at Mt. Clemens Public Library! 
LE

Family Tree DNA Continues Sale as Holiday Sale until December 31, 2018

The Thanksgiving Offer has continued at the Holiday Sale at Family Tree DNA until December 31, 2018. A large variety of DNA tests are on sale similar to what has been seen prior in its annual holiday sales. Shipping and taxes are extra which vary depending on where the test is being shipped. Shipping to Michigan was $12.95 (the last we know of) which covers receiving and sending the test.

The new Family Tree DNA test kit box.

Also new this year, Family Tree DNA tests will come in a box suitable for gift wrapping and presentation. While all the other DNA testing companies have used printed boxes for shipping their tests to customers, Family Tree DNA continued to ship their tests simply in poly-shipping bags with just the test kit items and the padded envelope used to send the completed test back to FTDNA. As a "gift" it was not that fantastic looking despite all the cool and helpful information and access to tools one would receive with the results.

So which tests are on sale? 

On its DNA test pages of the website, you can see a variety of DNA tests on sale.

Individual Tests
Autosomal Test (male or female) 
Family Finder is now $49, regularly $79 save $30 
This is a great sale price that does not happen often. The test briefly went down to $39 for the Black Friday/Cyber Monday weekend (a new lowest price) but we don't if it will happen again.

Y-DNA Test (male-only, father's direct male line) 
Y37 test is now $99, regularly $169 save $70

Y67 test is now $179, regularly $268 save $89

Y111 test is now $219, regularly $359 save $140

Big Y-500 test is now $499, regularly $649 save $150
Expert Level. Note: the Big Y500 includes the Y111 test which gets added to your cart as part of buying the Big Y-500.

mtDNA Test (male or female, mother's direct female line)
mtFull Sequence test is now $139, regularly $199 save $60
 
But that is not all that is on sale ...

If you sign into one of your Family Tree DNA tests, click on upgrades and at the top click on original pricing you will see the complete list of items on sale for the Thanksgiving Sale. The bundled test prices are good for new customers and current customers. The upgrade pricing applies to those existing kits that already have their results. We have included a list of the rest of the sale items below.

If you need help or have questions, customer service is available during the regular business hours of the company which is in the Central Time Zone. Check the FTDNA website for details.

Bundled Tests (for one individual)
Autosomal Test with Y-DNA Test (multiple tests "packaged" as one test kit for one male)
Family Finder with Y37 test package is now $143, regularly $238 save $95
 
Family Finder with Y67 test package is now $223, regularly $337 save $114

Family Finder with Y67 test and mtFull Squence test package is now $362, regularly $536 save $174

Family Finder with Y111 test and mtFull Squence test package is now $402, regularly $637 save $235

Autosomal Test with mtFull Sequence Test (multiple tests "packaged" as one test kit for one person who can be male or female) 
Family Finder with mtFull Sequence package is now $183, regularly $268 save $85

Upgrades for Existing Y-DNA and mtDNA Test Holders 
mtPlus to mtFull Sequence upgrade is now $109, reg. $159
y12 to y37 upgrade is now $69, reg. $109
y25 to y37 upgrade is now $35, reg. $59
y37 to y67 upgrade is now $69, reg. $109
y37 to y111 upgrade is now $148, reg. $228
y67 to y111 upgrade is now $89, reg. $129

y12 to Big Y-500 upgrade is now $489, reg. $629
y25 to Big Y-500 upgrade is now $489, reg. $599
y37 to Big Y-500 upgrade is now $459, reg. $569
y67 to Big Y-500 upgrade is now $399, reg. $499
y111 to Big Y-500 upgrade is now $349, reg. $449


You can compare these sale prices to those of the previous years' holiday sales by clicking on the FamilyTreeDNA label of this blog to see all posts about Family Tree DNA. Look for posts in November of the previous years for holiday pricing. As an example, last year a Y-37 DNA test was on sale for $129 (reg. $169) but with one of the weekly holiday rewards (often seen was a $20 off Y37, Y67 or Y111 test) that price dropped to $109. So this year's sale price of $99 is even better than last year's holiday sale pricing with a weekly holiday reward if you were lucky to get one you wanted.

If you (and the test you manage) belong to an FTDNA Project such as a Y-DNA surname project or geographical project, check if additional pricing discounts are offered with this sale. Normally, FTDNA project members receive pricing discounts on test prices.

Please remember, if you already have a DNA test at Family Tree DNA and want to upgrade that test to include another type of DNA test that is on sale (buy an upgrade to your existing test,) simply sign into that particular DNA test kit and then place the order. You will need to do this for each test separately if you plan to upgrade multiple tests. 

Also, remember that Family Tree DNA also has a DNA Automsomal Transfer option. Autosomal DNA Transfers can be done with 23andMe V3 or V4 tests; AncestryDNA V1 and V2 tests; and MyHeritageDNA tests. The initial transfer is free for a look at your matches and when it is complete it is just $19 to unlock the test to see more and be able to contact matches. We have two posts here and here that explain DNA Autosomal Transfers. An autosomal transfer is a data upload only so no physical test kit is mailed.

One genetic genealogist's advice for autosomal transfers is this: If you tested at MyHeritageDNA or on AncestryDNA v1 chip (with results back before May 2016) then do a transfer. If you tested at 23andMe, LivingDNA or on AncestryDNA v2 chip (with results back May 2016 and after) then purchase a FamilyFinder (autosomal) DNA test. DNA tests on the newer chips share less tested/sampled locations with the Family Tree DNA chip so you will get your closer DNA matches but not as many more distant matches.

Family Tree DNA does not require an annual subscription. Each test kit has its own login/password. You can manage your own test or allow (give access) to someone else to do so for you. Inside the test kit is a release form the tested person signs and sends with the samples so the DNA can be tested. There is also an option to indicate Beneficiary Information (who gets access to your DNA after you are gone) in the test kit account settings.

Unlike many of the other DNA/Genealogy testing companies, Family Tree DNA uses swabs to collect the sample not a spit tube. Swab collection makes it easier for elderly family members who often generate less spit to take a test. Family Tree DNA also is one of the few DNA testing companies that stores the DNA samples so upgrades (other test types) can be added later. And at just $49, the Family Finder (autosomal) DNA test is a great way to get started. 

See you soon at Mt. Clemens Public Library!
LE

Black Friday / Cyber Monday are Here! Even Better Deals can be Found!

note: originally posted at Friday, November 23, 2018, at 12:58 p.m. ET
It's Black Friday! There are lots of savings to be found around the internet and, of course, outside at the stores near home. Here is a run down of some newly announced savings.

Family Tree DNA
Just this morning Family Tree DNA announced its Family Finder (autosomal) DNA test is now on sale for its LOWEST PRICE EVER -- Just $39.

This offer at Family Tree DNA is good until November 26, 2018. Shipping and taxes are extra which vary depending on where the test is being shipped BUT for this sale there is reduced shipping costs on all test kits. Shipping to Michigan was $12.95 (the last we know of) which covers receiving and sending (domestic only) the test so it should be less than that.

Individual Tests
Autosomal Test (male or female) 
Family Finder is now $39, regularly $79 save $40 
This is now the test's lowest price offer ever.

ALSO the large variety of DNA tests that were on sale until yesterday, are still on sale today. See are previous post on the Thanksgiving offer but remember that the FamilyFinder test is now only $39. So if you thought you missed the Thanksgiving Offer you are in luck.

23andMe 
23andMe is having a Black Friday Sale too. At its website, you will find the 23andMe Ancestry Service (autosomal DNA) test on sale for $69 (regularly $99) and the 23andMe Ancestry + Health Service test on sale for $129 (regularly $199) with taxes and shipping extra. If you are interested in the 23andMe Ancestry + Health service test keeping reading this post under Amazon.

Amazon 
There are wide variety of items on sale at Amazon today and over the weekend thru Cyber Monday. Some sales are today only, some run thru Monday, some will be Monday only. 

One to note is that there is a $5 off any PRINT book order of $20 (code NOVBOOK18) that is sold and shipped by Amazon. The coupon code (see offer for other restrictions) is good until November 25, 2018, at 11:59 p.m. (PT).

Look for the above before buying.

Also the 23andMe Ancestry + Health Service is on sale for half-off only at Amazon. Regularly $199, now just $99. Remember to make sure to look for the Sold by 23andMe, Inc and Fulfilled by Amazon to be sure you are buying from 23andMe and not some other third-party seller.

Family Tree Magazine 
Family Tree Magazine is having a 50% off storewide sale from today until Monday, November 26, 2018. Note: there are few items not included in the sale. How-to Genealogy Videos are also 50% off. You can check shipping rates here if you are trying to decide where the best deals are for the books you are seeking.

Other 
According to GenealogyBargains Holiday Gift Guide, Ancestry.com Gift Memberships are 50 percent off too.

This are some of the many different genealogy-related websites that are offering Black Friday and Cyber Monday savings. We will highlight some of them that we know interest our members. See some of our more recent posts on the sales that started early. But rather than recreate the wheel, remember to visit Genealogy Bargains website often over the next several days to keep an eye on Thomas MacEntee's list of all the genealogy bargains he has found.

Lastly, keep an eye out over the weekend or on Monday for sales at the different genealogy software companies.  

• Legacy Family Tree has announced its Black Friday sale, just click on the Black Friday listing to see what is included in the 50% off sale. See our prior post on Legacy Family Tree and Family Tree Webinars
• Heredis is being sold for up to 80% off thru GenealogyBargains through Sunday, November 25, 2018. (If you go to the Heredis software website it is showing regular price. But if you already own an older version of Heredis you likely have an email with the offer direct from the company.) 
• RootsMagic via Genealogy Bargains just announced this afternoon a bundled sale of three of its products and books with a free upgrade to RootsMagic 8 when it is released in 2019 for 67 percent off. The download and ebooks bundle is just $29.95 with no shipping costs rather than $89.80 regular price. The download with printed books is just $39.95 with shipping costs rather than the $89.80 regular price.

Hopefully more genealogy software companies will be having sale too.

See you soon at Mt. Clemens Public Library!
LE

AncestryDNA Test Now $49 Until Nov. 26, Lowest Price Happens A Few Times a Year

As one sale ends, another begins. Ancestry.com is giving us an extra sale on AncestryDNA at an even better price than the one that just ended last night. This lowest pricing only happens a few times a year.

The AncestryDNA (autosomal) DNA test is now on sale for the lowest price it is ever sold at the Ancestry.com website for $49 plus taxes and shipping. Regular price is $99 so you now save almost 50 percent. This sale ends on November 26, 2018, at 11:59 p.m. ET. This lowest sale pricing is only happening at the Ancestry.com website and not at third-party websites.

AncestryDNA without a data/records membership subscription provides an ethnicity estimate, migrations, DNA matches, contacting matches, automatic updates to results, and shared matches.

AncestryDNA with a data/records membership subscription also gives you New Ancestor Discoveries, DNA Circles, Shared Ancestor Hints, Full access to matches' public trees, List of surnames in matches' trees, and list of birth locations in matches' trees. AncestryDNA does not provide a chromosome browser tool. Don't have an Ancestry data/records subscription? Ancestry offers an AncestryDNA Insights subscription for about $59/year which would give access to all of the DNA tools but not any data/records but you must call customer support for this option.

We are pretty sure the FREESHIPDNA code will not work with this sale on the Ancestry.com website but it does not hurt to try it especially if you are buying more than one test kit.

See you soon at Mt. Clemens Public Library!
LE

Black Friday / Cyber Monday Savings Now Legacy & Family Tree Webinars 50% Off

note: originally posted on November 20, 2018 at 12:20 p.m. Eastern Time.

Legacy Family Tree and Family Tree Webinars has started its Black Friday / Cyber Monday Sale for 2018. The sale runs from today, Nov. 20, 2018, until 11:59 p.m. MT tonight (Monday, November 26.) That's 1:59 a.m. EST.

The sale this year is 50 percent off various Legacy Family Tree 9.0 Deluxe software bundles and 50 percent off a Family Tree Webinars yearly membership. Legacy has set up a special Black Friday Sale catalog page for the sale.

Legacy Family Tree software has "two versions" built inside its genealogy software. The standard version is free. Just supply an email and download the software to start using it. The deluxe version is a pay version which gets you a code that unlocks many more features of the software. (Note: If you make a purchase do not select the upgrade pricing link as it will take you to the catalog entry that costs more than this special pricing. So just click the add to cart for the bundle or not bundled version you desire.)

Family Tree Webinars Membership gets you 24/7 access to over 800 full-length webinars/classes covering a very wide variety of genealogy-related subjects and the handouts/syllabus to those webinars/classes. This sale also works for existing membership renewals. Just be sure to sign in to your membership account before placing the order. If it is like last year, you will also get your added membership savings discount on top of the sale price.

This is just one of the many different genealogy-related websites that will be offering Black Friday and Cyber Monday savings. We will highlight some of them that we know interest our members. See some of our more recent posts on the sales that started early. But rather than recreate the wheel, remember to visit Genealogy Bargains website often over the next several days to keep an eye on Thomas MacEntee's list of all the genealogy bargains he has found.

See you soon at Mt. Clemens Public Library!
LE

MyHeritageDNA 2018 Black Friday Sale: Tests Now Just $49 with Free Ship Code

MyHeritage is having Black Friday Sale ... starting now. MyHeritageDNA (autosomal) tests regularly $79 each are on sale for $49 each until November 23, 2018, at 11:59 p.m. As a bonus use the code FREE18 for free shipping but remember taxes are extra.

MyHeritageDNA is one of the newer players in the DNA and genealogy testing niche. Its customer base is more international. As of earlier this year, the company has added a chromosome browser feature and has made its internal member messaging feature free. It also offers an ethnicity/admixture report and a list of DNA matches. No data subscription is needed to see/use all the DNA matching features. There are hints around the internet that additional features are in the works.

Take note that the FREE DNA Transfers to MyHeritage DNA End December 1, 2018 
MyHeritageDNA is still offering FREE DNA transfers until December 1, 2018, so if you already tested at another DNA testing company you can download your RAW DNA data from that site and upload it to MyHeritage. MyHeritageDNA accepts raw DNA data from Family Tree DNA, AncestryDNA (V1 and V2 version chips), and 23andMe (V2, V3 and V4 chips.) Very recently MyHeritage began supporting uploads of 23andMe (v5) and LivingDNA data files which are on the GSA chip.

Users that upload their DNA data files prior to December 1, 2018, receive full access to DNA Matching, Ethnicity Estimates, chromosome browser and more for free. This free access for all DNA data that is uploaded to MyHeritage before December 1, 2018, will continue to enjoy full access to all DNA features for free because these uploads will be grandfathered in and will remain free.

For DNA data files uploaded after December 1, 2018, DNA matching will remain free for uploaded DNA data but unlocking additional DNA features (like ethnicity estimate, chromosome browser and some others) will require an extra payment.

MyHeritageDNA can also be found on Amazon.com sold and shipped by Amazon. But at this time the current price (as of today) is similar to the regular price ($20 more) and not the sale price. Non-AmazonPrime members get free shipping due to the total cost and because it is fulfilled by Amazon; prime members just get quicker 2-day shipping for free. So for this sale it is cheaper to buy it directly from MyHeritage and not thru Amazon.

See you soon at Mt. Clemens Public Library! 
LE

At Tomorrow's MCGG Friday Meeting Learn About Enhancing Images & Records

Tomorrow, Friday, November 16, at 1:00 p.m. in the Auditorium of the Mount Clemens Public Library, MCGG member Robert McGarry will present Enhancing Images and Records using Scanning Techniques and Imaging Software.

If you are in the Mt. Clemens area, PLEASE JOIN US.

See you soon at the Mt. Clemens Public Library!
LE

Our Let's Talk...Genealogy Meeting is Tonight, Nov. 14, at 7 p.m. at MCPL

Today, Wednesday, November 14, at 7 p.m. in the Local History and Genealogy Room of the Mount Clemens Public Library is this month's MCGG Let's Talk...Genealogy discussion group meeting. Our topic for the night is ... Oral History: Capturing those Memories!
 
Let's share and learn how (and what) to interview our elders/family members to capture their memories before they are lost. There are a various ways to accomplish this. 

New attendees are always welcome.

See you soon at the Mt. Clemens Public Library!
LE

It's a Family Tree DNA Thanksgiving Offer, A Variety of Tests on Sale until Nov. 22

Normally, Family Tree DNA starts its annual holiday sale around this date each year and that sale runs through December 31 along with added mystery holiday rewards each week for test kit owners but it appears the company is mixing things up this year.

This year it is a Thanksgiving Offer sale at Family Tree DNA until November 22, 2018. A large variety of DNA tests are on sale similar to what has been seen prior in its annual holiday sales. Shipping and taxes are extra which vary depending on where the test is being shipped. Shipping to Michigan was $12.95 (the last we know of) which covers receiving and sending the test.

The new Family Tree DNA test kit box.

Also new this year, Family Tree DNA tests will come in a box suitable for gift wrapping and presentation. While all the other DNA testing companies have used printed boxes for shipping their tests to customers, Family Tree DNA continued to ship their tests simply in poly-shipping bags with just the test kit items and the padded envelope used to send the completed test back to FTDNA. As a "gift" it was not that fantastic looking despite all the cool and helpful information and access to tools one would receive with the results.

So which tests are on sale? 

On its DNA test pages of the website, you can see a variety of DNA tests on sale.

Individual Tests
Autosomal Test (male or female) 
Family Finder is now $49, regularly $79 save $30 
This is the test's lowest price offer and it does not happen often.

Y-DNA Test (male-only, father's direct male line) 
Y37 test is now $99, regularly $169 save $70

Y67 test is now $179, regularly $268 save $89

Y111 test is now $219, regularly $359 save $140

Big Y-500 test is now $499, regularly $649 save $150
Expert Level. Note: the Big Y500 includes the Y111 test which gets added to your cart as part of buying the Big Y-500.

mtDNA Test (male or female, mother's direct female line)
mtFull Sequence test is now $139, regularly $199 save $60
 
But that is not all that is on sale ...

If you sign into one of your Family Tree DNA tests, click on upgrades and at the top click on original pricing you will see the complete list of items on sale for the Thanksgiving Sale. The bundled test prices are good for new customers and current customers. The upgrade pricing applies to those existing kits that already have their results. We have included a list of the rest of the sale items below.

If you need help or have questions, customer service is available during the regular business hours of the company which is in the Central Time Zone. Check the FTDNA website for details.

Bundled Tests (for one individual)
Autosomal Test with Y-DNA Test (multiple tests "packaged" as one test kit for one male)
Family Finder with Y37 test package is now $143, regularly $238 save $95
 
Family Finder with Y67 test package is now $223, regularly $337 save $114

Family Finder with Y67 test and mtFull Squence test package is now $362, regularly $536 save $174

Family Finder with Y111 test and mtFull Squence test package is now $402, regularly $637 save $235

Autosomal Test with mtFull Sequence Test (multiple tests "packaged" as one test kit for one person who can be male or female) 
Family Finder with mtFull Sequence package is now $183, regularly $268 save $85

Upgrades for Existing Y-DNA and mtDNA Test Holders 
mtPlus to mtFull Sequence upgrade is now $109, reg. $159
y12 to y37 upgrade is now $69, reg. $109
y25 to y37 upgrade is now $35, reg. $59
y37 to y67 upgrade is now $69, reg. $109
y37 to y111 upgrade is now $148, reg. $228
y67 to y111 upgrade is now $89, reg. $129

y12 to Big Y-500 upgrade is now $489, reg. $629
y25 to Big Y-500 upgrade is now $489, reg. $599
y37 to Big Y-500 upgrade is now $459, reg. $569
y67 to Big Y-500 upgrade is now $399, reg. $499
y111 to Big Y-500 upgrade is now $349, reg. $449


You can compare these sale prices to those of the previous years' holiday sales by clicking on the FamilyTreeDNA label of this blog to see all posts about Family Tree DNA. Look for posts in November of the previous years for holiday pricing. As an example, last year a Y-37 DNA test was on sale for $129 (reg. $169) but with one of the weekly holiday rewards (often seen was a $20 off Y37, Y67 or Y111 test) that price dropped to $109. So this year's sale price of $99 is even better than last year's holiday sale pricing with a weekly holiday reward if you were lucky to get one you wanted.

If you (and the test you manage) belong to an FTDNA Project such as a Y-DNA surname project or geographical project, check if additional pricing discounts are offered with this sale. Normally, FTDNA project members receive pricing discounts on test prices.

Please remember, if you already have a DNA test at Family Tree DNA and want to upgrade that test to include another type of DNA test that is on sale (buy an upgrade to your existing test,) simply sign into that particular DNA test kit and then place the order. You will need to do this for each test separately if you plan to upgrade multiple tests. 

Also, remember that Family Tree DNA also has a DNA Automsomal Transfer option. Autosomal DNA Transfers can be done with 23andMe V3 or V4 tests; AncestryDNA V1 and V2 tests; and MyHeritageDNA tests. The initial transfer is free for a look at your matches and when it is complete it is just $19 to unlock the test to see more and be able to contact matches. We have two posts here and here that explain DNA Autosomal Transfers. An autosomal transfer is a data upload only so no physical test kit is mailed.

One genetic genealogist's advice for autosomal transfers is this: If you tested at MyHeritageDNA or on AncestryDNA v1 chip (with results back before May 2016) then do a transfer. If you tested at 23andMe, LivingDNA or on AncestryDNA v2 chip (with results back May 2016 and after) then purchase a FamilyFinder (autosomal) DNA test. DNA tests on the newer chips share less tested/sampled locations with the Family Tree DNA chip so you will get your closer DNA matches but not as many more distant matches.

Family Tree DNA does not require an annual subscription. Each test kit has its own login/password. You can manage your own test or allow (give access) to someone else to do so for you. Inside the test kit is a release form the tested person signs and sends with the samples so the DNA can be tested. There is also an option to indicate Beneficiary Information (who gets access to your DNA after you are gone) in the test kit account settings.

Unlike many of the other DNA/Genealogy testing companies, Family Tree DNA uses swabs to collect the sample not a spit tube. Swab collection makes it easier for elderly family members who often generate less spit to take a test. Family Tree DNA also is one of the few DNA testing companies that stores the DNA samples so upgrades (other test types) can be added later. And at just $49, the Family Finder (autosomal) DNA test is a great way to get started. 

See you soon at Mt. Clemens Public Library!
LE

The Next Let's Talk...Genealogy Meeting is this Wednesday, November 14, 2018!

This Wednesday, November 14, at 7 p.m. in the Local History and Genealogy Room of the Mount Clemens Public Library is this month's MCGG Let's Talk...Genealogy discussion group meeting. Our topic for the night is ... Oral History: Capturing those Memories!
 
Let's share and learn how (and what) to interview our elders/family members to capture their memories before they are lost. There are a various ways to accomplish this. 

New attendees are always welcome.

See you soon at the Mt. Clemens Public Library!
LE

At the MCGG Friday Meeting on Nov. 16 Learn About Enhancing Images & Records

This Friday, November 16, at 1:00 p.m. in the Auditorium of the Mount Clemens Public Library, MCGG member Robert McGarry will present Enhancing Images and Records using Scanning Techniques and Imaging Software.

If you are in the Mt. Clemens area, PLEASE JOIN US.

See you soon at the Mt. Clemens Public Library!
LE

MCPL Closed Today for Veterans Day

Remember in observance of Veterans Day, our favorite library Mount Clemens Public Library is closed today. MCPL will reopen tomorrow at its normal time.

Thank you to everyone who has served.

See you soon at Mt. Clemens Public Library!
LE

Veterans Day / Remembrance Day MyHeritage Free Access to Military Records Collections Nov. 8 to 12

According to the MyHeritage.com blog, in honor of the Veterans Day / Remembrance Day from November 8 until November 12, 2018, MyHeritage is giving free access to all of its military records collection on MyHeritage's SuperSearch. 

Here is the link that takes you straight to the military search on MyHeritage's SuperSearch. Remember no data subscription or trial subscription is required so just click on the result entry or the thumbnail-size image in your results list to see the record. 

In addition, remember that the Michigan Electronic Library aka mel.org now includes the My Heritage Library Edition database instead of the HeritageQuest database. See this post on the change. 

Have fun searching.  

See you soon at Mt. Clemens Public Library! 
LE

Got Swedish Ancestors? ArkivDigital Free Access Weekend Nov. 9 to 11, 2018

It is that time of year again. ArkivDigital is having a free access weekend to its Swedish Records and Books of interest to genealogists. Free Access runs from Nov. 9 to Nov. 11, 2018, Swedish time.

There is an ArkivDigital Blog post describing the free access weekend.

The site operates in Swedish and English. To participate you have to register your name and email (for free) with ArkivDigital. If you have not used ArkivDigital before, you will need to install the latest ArkivDigital viewer software in order to see the record images. Though it appears there is a web-version now. (The ArkivDigital viewer works best in Google's Chrome browser, a free software.) ArkivDigital has a help page for this free access weekend.

See you soon at Mt. Clemens Public Library!
LE

Veterans Day Ancestry.com Free Access Weekend to U.S. Military Collections

Ancestry.com is giving free access to its U.S. Military record collections until 11:59 p.m. ET, Monday, November 12, 2018.

Participation requires registration for a free Ancestry account. An easy way to do so is perform a search and in the pop-up window that appears provide your email and create a password for your free access account, and ancestry will send you a username to use with that password.

After the free access time is over, you will need a subscription to see those records online. But remember you can download found record images too. Ancestry.com has put together a list of the included record collections.

Ancestry's U.K. website is having a similar free access weekend.


See you soon at Mt. Clemens Public Library!
LE

Veterans Day / Remembrance Day FindMyPast.com Free Access Weekend, Tons of Records Included Nov. 9-12

From Friday, Nov. 9 to Monday, Nov. 12 at noon (GMT), FindMyPast.com is giving free access to records and historical newspapers for Veterans and Remembrance Day.

Not included in the free access offer are the UK Electoral Registers & Companies House Directors 2002 - 2018. Each of FindMyPast's other websites -- U.K., Australia, and Ireland -- are also having free access weekends.

To participate in the free access period you must register for free or sign into your existing account.

See you soon at Mt. Clemens Public Library!
LE

LivingDNA (autosomal DNA) Test on Sale

Note: Originally posted on November 1, 2018, at 8:16 p.m. Image added so post could be pinned.

LivingDNA is a newer genealogy testing company based in the United Kingdom. It is also an autosomal DNA test that males and females can take. The regular price of the LivingDNA test is now $99 but is on sale for $79.99 until November 22, 2018, for LivingDNA's Thanksgiving Day Sale. Taxes and Shipping are extra. According to the website, shipping is about $9.95 and takes 7-10 working days to get to the USA, longer during the holiday season. [Note: an MCGG member recently ordered a LivingDNA test kit during a previous sale and it was sent from Kentucky.]

LivingDNA (autosomal DNA) offers an ethnicity estimate (80 world regions including 21 in Britain and Ireland); a general look at your Y-DNA haplogroup (if male) and mtDNA haplogroup; and a view of your ancestry in the context of history and the migration of them. LivingDNA results are updated for free as the system and technology are updated. The company is still working on the release of its opt-in Family Matches feature (seeing your DNA matches among those who have tested.)
If you have a lot of English and Irish ancestry the more detailed regions for Britain and Ireland in the ethnicity may be of interest to you. The company is still building itself so at a sale price it may be worth a try. Perhaps you will find a clue to direct your search.

See you soon at Mt. Clemens Public Library!
LE

It's an Early Thanksgiving Day Sale on MyHeritageDNA just $49 until Nov. 12; Free DNA Data Uploads End December 1

Early holiday sales just keep popping up.
 

MyHeritage is having an Early Thanksgiving Day Sale. MyHeritageDNA (autosomal) tests regularly $99 each are on sale for $49 each until November 12, 2018. Shipping and taxes are extra. If you order three or more test kits then shipping is free.

MyHeritageDNA is one of the newer players in the DNA and genealogy testing niche. Its customer base is more international. As of earlier this year, the company has added a chromosome browser feature and has made its internal member messaging feature free. It also offers an ethnicity/admixture report and a list of DNA matches. No data subscription is needed to see/use all the DNA matching features. There are hints around the internet that additional features are in the works.

Take note that the FREE DNA Transfers to MyHeritage DNA End December 1, 2018 
MyHeritageDNA is still offering FREE DNA transfers until December 1, 2018, so if you already tested at another DNA testing company you can download your RAW DNA data from that site and upload it to MyHeritage. MyHeritageDNA accepts raw DNA data from Family Tree DNA, AncestryDNA (V1 and V2 version chips), and 23andMe (V2, V3 and V4 chips.) Very recently MyHeritage began supporting uploads of 23andMe (v5) and LivingDNA data files which are on the GSA chip.

Users that upload their DNA data files prior to December 1, 2018, receive full access to DNA Matching, Ethnicity Estimates, chromosome browser and more for free. This free access for all DNA data that is uploaded to MyHeritage before December 1, 2018, will continue to enjoy full access to all DNA features for free because these uploads will be grandfathered in and will remain free.

For DNA data files uploaded after December 1, 2018, DNA matching will remain free for uploaded DNA data but unlocking additional DNA features (like ethnicity estimate, chromosome browser and some others) will require an extra payment.

MyHeritageDNA can also be found on Amazon.com sold and shipped by Amazon. But at this time the current price (as of today) is similar to the regular price ($20 more) and not the sale price. Non-AmazonPrime members get free shipping due to the total cost and because it is fulfilled by Amazon; prime members just get quicker 2-day shipping for free. So for this sale it is cheaper to buy it directly from MyHeritage and not thru Amazon.

See you soon at Mt. Clemens Public Library! 
LE

NEHGS's AmericanAncestors.org Offers Free Access November 6-13, 2018

AmericanAncestors.org website is offering free access to all its databases from November 6 until November 13, 2018. The organization is hoping to encourage everyone to "Fall Back into Research." There's about a billion records waiting for you!

To access the free databases at the New England Historic Genealogical Society's website simply create a free guest user account if you do not already have one. If you already have a guest user account or are an NEGHS member, simply sign into your account. 

Year-round registered guest users get access to a limited suite of databases; access to webinars, how-to videos and downloads; and can make purchases from the online store. Did you know that guest users also get free access to other new databases for the first 30 days that database is online? There are lots of great reasons to register as a guest user or become a member of the NEHGS society.

See you soon at Mt. Clemens Public Library! 
LE

Free Access November 1-15 to the Fold3.com Native American Collection

Fold3 is offering free access to its Native American Collection from November 1 - 15. 

Just register for the basic Fold3 membership which is free with no credit card required. If you already have a free Fold3 basic membership, just sign into the website. (You do not need to sign up for a 7-day free trial which requires a credit card.) The easiest way to do this is to just start a search from the Native American Collection page and then click to view an image (marked free) and then the correct registration link to a free basic membership option will come up.

See you soon at Mt. Clemens Public Library!
LE

23andMe Ancestry Only DNA Test on Sale

Holiday sales are starting early!

23andMe is having a sale on its 23andMe Ancestry Service Only (autosomal DNA) test until November 22, 2018. 

Regularly $99, if you buy one test the sale price is $69 which is a 30% savings. If you buy two tests at the same time, the price is just $49 per kit, about 50% savings on each test. Taxes and shipping are extra.

23andMe Ancestry Service (autosomal DNA) provides an ethnicity (admixture) report, list of DNA matches, chromosome browser and an internal member messaging system. 23andMe also provides a general look at your Y-DNA haplogroup (if male) and mtDNA haplogroup. No subscription is needed to see/use all the DNA matching features. See the 23andMe website to learn more about the Health service option. 

Above: Look for this when buying on Amazon.

As a reminder, 23andMe also sells its test kits on Amazon.com and often at sale prices when it is having a sale. (Make sure the seller shown is 23andMe fulfilled by Amazon and not sold by a third-party unauthorized seller.) Non-Amazon Prime members get free shipping due to the total cost and because it is fulfilled by Amazon; prime members just get quicker 2-day shipping for free.

Please note that the $49 pricing per kit when buying two kits at the same time is only available from the 23andme.com website.

See you soon at Mt. Clemens Public Library!
LE

Early Holiday Shopping at Ancestry.com, Gift Memberships & AncestryDNA on Sale

Ancestry.com is having an early holiday sale

First off, the AncestryDNA (autosomal) DNA test is on sale at the Ancestry.com website for $59 plus taxes and shipping. Regular price is $99 so you save 40 percent. This sale ends on November 21, 2018, at 11:59 p.m. ET.

AncestryDNA without a data/records membership subscription provides an ethnicity estimate, migrations, DNA matches, contacting matches, automatic updates to results, and shared matches.

AncestryDNA with a data/records membership subscription also gives you New Ancestor Discoveries, DNA Circles, Shared Ancestor Hints, Full access to matches' public trees, List of surnames in matches' trees, and list of birth locations in matches' trees. AncestryDNA does not provide a chromosome browser tool. Don't have an Ancestry data/records subscription? Ancestry offers an AncestryDNA Insights subscription for about $59/year which would give access to all of the DNA tools but not any data/records but you must call customer support for this option.

We are not sure if the FREESHIPDNA code will work with this sale on the Ancestry.com website but it does not hurt to try it.

Above: Look for this when buying on Amazon

Remember, Ancestry also sells its AncestryDNA kit on Amazon but be careful and make sure you are looking a the item sold by AncestryDNA Official and fulfilled by Amazon and not a third-party unauthorized seller. Shipping at Amazon.com is free regardless of whether you have Amazon Prime or not because of the total cost meets the threshold and that it is fulfilled by Amazon. Prime members just get it shipped faster. But take note for this sale, the Amazon price is $69 but shipping is free so it ends up pretty close in the end.


Also included in the early holiday sale at Ancestry.com are gift memberships.

Until November 21 at 11:59 p.m., save 20% on a gift membership to Ancestry.com website. A gift membership is a one-time, non-renewing membership. At the time of purchase you can choose the plan and subscription length, provide the recipient's contact information and choose the date you want the gift membership delivered (within 90 days of the purchase date) which is the start date of the membership. Scroll down to the bottom of the page for gift card questions and answers. We suggest you give your recipient a heads-up that an email with the gift will arrive on the date you picked so too much time is not lost from the membership term. Or even confer ahead of time with the intended recipient to make sure he/she does not already have an active membership. Gift memberships are non-renewing (not auto-billed) memberships

U.S. Discovery (Access All U.S. Records)
6 months regularly $99, sale price $79
12 months regularly $189, sale price $124

World Explorer (Access U.S. and International Records)
6 months regularly $149, sale price $119
12 months regularly $298, sale price $239

If you are already an Ancestry.com member/data subscriber and can not take advantage of the sale, remember that there is the one-time use AARP discount of 30% off a 1-year World Explorer membership/subscription. So if you have not used this benefit yet or just got your AARP membership card, when it is close to your current subscription's renewal date, call the Ancestry.com customer service and tell them you would like to use your AARP discount on your next membership subscription.

Lastly, remember you can always go to your local library, like our favorite Mount Clemens Public Library, to use -- for free -- the Ancestry Library Edition subscription available on the library's computers or by accessing the library's wi-fi and going to the library's website to access Ancestry Library Edition from your own device while you are in the library.

See you soon at Mt. Clemens Public Library!
LE