Learn what is happening at our state's archives directly from one of the archivists.
If you are in the Mt. Clemens area, PLEASE JOIN US.
See you soon at the Mt. Clemens Public Library!
LE
Sunday, March 31, 2019
This Friday, April 5, at 1 p.m. our MCGG Friday Meeting is on The Archives of Michigan with Archivist Kris Rzepczynski
Learn what is happening at our state's archives directly from one of the archivists.
If you are in the Mt. Clemens area, PLEASE JOIN US.
See you soon at the Mt. Clemens Public Library!
LE
A Reading and Signing by Book Author Vicki Tapia on April 6 at 11 am at MCPL
Much of her novel takes place here in historic Mount Clemens. It includes a lot of history of the Mount Clemens area with factual names, dates, and events based on actual Macomb County court records that MCGG's Ann Faulkner researched and provided to the author.
There is no need to registration requirement for this event hosted by the library.
See you soon at Mt. Clemens Public Library!
LE
Tuesday, March 26, 2019
Family Tree DNA Tests are on Sale via Coupon Codes until Mar. 31, 2019
There was a genetic genealogy conference this past weekend. Often at conferences vendor items are sold at sale prices sometimes these sales are extended to those not able to attend. Family Tree DNA has a variety of coupon codes good until March 31, 2019 for discounts on a variety of its DNA tests. These codes do not appear on the Family Tree DNA website. Remember that 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.
Family Tree DNA tests now come in a box suitable for gift wrapping and presentation. Keep in mind the next likely times frames for DNA sales at any of the companies (based on prior years) are DNA Day in April, Mother's Day in May and Father's Day in June.
So which tests are on sale via coupon code?
Autosomal Test (male or female) Family Finder is now $49, regularly $79 save $30
Use coupon code at checkout: GGC19FF
This is a great sale price that does not happen often.
The test briefly went down to $39 for the 2019 Black Friday/Cyber Monday weekend (a new lowest price) but we don't know if it will happen again.
Y-DNA Test (male-only, father's direct male line)
Y37 test is now $119, regularly $169 save $50
Use coupon code at checkout: GGC19Y37
Y67 test is now $198, regularly $268 save $70
Use coupon code at checkout: GGC19Y67
Y111 test is now $289, regularly $359 save $70
Use coupon code at checkout: GGC19Y111
Big Y-700 test is now $449, regularly $649 save $200
Expert Level. Note: formerly the Big Y-500 now the Big Y-700 includes the Y111 test which gets added to your cart as part of buying the Big Y-700.
Use coupon code at checkout: GGC19BIGY
mtDNA Test (male or female, mother's direct female line)
mtFull Sequence test is now $149, regularly $199 save $50
Use coupon code at checkout: GGC19MTFULL
Now some reminders and caution ...
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.
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.
Now the caution so that everyone is aware and informed. At the beginning of this year, it was learned that Family Tree DNA (a private company) had allowed Law Enforcement (sometimes via third-party forensic genealogy company) to submit samples to its private autosomal DNA database. This was apparently done without changing the terms of service which had excluded this and then changing the TOS to allow it without notifying its customers of the change. Customers were initially given no other option than to opt out of matching completely (the point of taking the test) if the tester whose DNA was tested did not agree to allowing law enforcement to match against his/her DNA. Be aware that a person's disagreement may not necessarily be about the use of DNA to solve cases but with the privacy issues and the Fourth Amendment rights of citizens of the United States of America.
Earlier this month, FTDNA finally took a partial step towards righting a wrong. Family Tree DNA customers who take or have taken an autosomal DNA test called Family Finder have the option now to OPT OUT of allowing a test to be seen by those tests submitted by law enforcement or their contracted third-parties that match their tests. (This is an additional, separate option from the overall Opt In to DNA Relative Matching meaning seeing who matches the test.) This new setting step is done when initially purchasing/setting up the test or for existing tests under each test's Account Settings, Privacy & Sharing Options then Matching Preferences and changing the Law Enforcement Matching (LEM) setting to Opt Out by clicking on the left side of the blue slider turning it gray. (So blue means the test allows law enforcement matches to see it and gray means the test does not allow law enforcement matches to see it.) The new setting choice should automatically save.
As an added precaution some have suggested making sure your Family Tree Sharing setting is set to Only Matches can see your tree if you have one in your test kit.
According to FTDNA, these tests submitted by law enforcement or their third-parties do not see anything more than the traditional customer does. Read the revised Terms of Service and Privacy Statement for details which is on the Family Tree DNA website. As part of this change all customer tests from the European Union were automatically Opted Out meaning that they have to physically decide to Opt In to LEM.
Many in the genealogical community believe that every test should have been automatically Opted Out and the physical decision to Opt In should be the standard for all. If the tested person is not aware of this change or is dead, he/she does not have the opportunity/ability to Opt Out from something for various reasons he/she may disagree with.
Some testers are fine with allowing this change but some are not. It is a personal decision ... of the person tested meaning the person whose spit was used. So ethically, if you are administrating a test for someone else you need to talk to and verify the feelings and beliefs of that person regarding this subject and change the LEM setting according to the beliefs of that person whose DNA you tested. If the tested person is deceased and this topic was never discussed meaning you do not know the tested person's belief then you need to Opt Out of LEM for this person's test. You can not assume that the tested person's belief is the same as your own. This is similar to being a medical advocate for another person, you follow that person's wishes not your own when advocating for that person.
So remember there are two settings for matching: 1) for seeing or not seeing any of a test's DNA relative matches (the point of taking the test) and 2) for allowing or not allowing Law Enforcement Matches (LEM) administered tests to see a test as a DNA match.
See you soon at Mt. Clemens Public Library!
LE
 |
| The new Family Tree DNA test kit box. |
Family Tree DNA tests now come in a box suitable for gift wrapping and presentation. Keep in mind the next likely times frames for DNA sales at any of the companies (based on prior years) are DNA Day in April, Mother's Day in May and Father's Day in June.
So which tests are on sale via coupon code?
Autosomal Test (male or female) Family Finder is now $49, regularly $79 save $30
Use coupon code at checkout: GGC19FF
This is a great sale price that does not happen often.
The test briefly went down to $39 for the 2019 Black Friday/Cyber Monday weekend (a new lowest price) but we don't know if it will happen again.
Y-DNA Test (male-only, father's direct male line)
Y37 test is now $119, regularly $169 save $50
Use coupon code at checkout: GGC19Y37
Y67 test is now $198, regularly $268 save $70
Use coupon code at checkout: GGC19Y67
Y111 test is now $289, regularly $359 save $70
Use coupon code at checkout: GGC19Y111
Big Y-700 test is now $449, regularly $649 save $200
Expert Level. Note: formerly the Big Y-500 now the Big Y-700 includes the Y111 test which gets added to your cart as part of buying the Big Y-700.
Use coupon code at checkout: GGC19BIGY
mtDNA Test (male or female, mother's direct female line)
mtFull Sequence test is now $149, regularly $199 save $50
Use coupon code at checkout: GGC19MTFULL
Now some reminders and caution ...
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.
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.
Now the caution so that everyone is aware and informed. At the beginning of this year, it was learned that Family Tree DNA (a private company) had allowed Law Enforcement (sometimes via third-party forensic genealogy company) to submit samples to its private autosomal DNA database. This was apparently done without changing the terms of service which had excluded this and then changing the TOS to allow it without notifying its customers of the change. Customers were initially given no other option than to opt out of matching completely (the point of taking the test) if the tester whose DNA was tested did not agree to allowing law enforcement to match against his/her DNA. Be aware that a person's disagreement may not necessarily be about the use of DNA to solve cases but with the privacy issues and the Fourth Amendment rights of citizens of the United States of America.
Earlier this month, FTDNA finally took a partial step towards righting a wrong. Family Tree DNA customers who take or have taken an autosomal DNA test called Family Finder have the option now to OPT OUT of allowing a test to be seen by those tests submitted by law enforcement or their contracted third-parties that match their tests. (This is an additional, separate option from the overall Opt In to DNA Relative Matching meaning seeing who matches the test.) This new setting step is done when initially purchasing/setting up the test or for existing tests under each test's Account Settings, Privacy & Sharing Options then Matching Preferences and changing the Law Enforcement Matching (LEM) setting to Opt Out by clicking on the left side of the blue slider turning it gray. (So blue means the test allows law enforcement matches to see it and gray means the test does not allow law enforcement matches to see it.) The new setting choice should automatically save.
As an added precaution some have suggested making sure your Family Tree Sharing setting is set to Only Matches can see your tree if you have one in your test kit.
According to FTDNA, these tests submitted by law enforcement or their third-parties do not see anything more than the traditional customer does. Read the revised Terms of Service and Privacy Statement for details which is on the Family Tree DNA website. As part of this change all customer tests from the European Union were automatically Opted Out meaning that they have to physically decide to Opt In to LEM.
Many in the genealogical community believe that every test should have been automatically Opted Out and the physical decision to Opt In should be the standard for all. If the tested person is not aware of this change or is dead, he/she does not have the opportunity/ability to Opt Out from something for various reasons he/she may disagree with.
Some testers are fine with allowing this change but some are not. It is a personal decision ... of the person tested meaning the person whose spit was used. So ethically, if you are administrating a test for someone else you need to talk to and verify the feelings and beliefs of that person regarding this subject and change the LEM setting according to the beliefs of that person whose DNA you tested. If the tested person is deceased and this topic was never discussed meaning you do not know the tested person's belief then you need to Opt Out of LEM for this person's test. You can not assume that the tested person's belief is the same as your own. This is similar to being a medical advocate for another person, you follow that person's wishes not your own when advocating for that person.
So remember there are two settings for matching: 1) for seeing or not seeing any of a test's DNA relative matches (the point of taking the test) and 2) for allowing or not allowing Law Enforcement Matches (LEM) administered tests to see a test as a DNA match.
See you soon at Mt. Clemens Public Library!
LE
Sunday, March 24, 2019
Lapeer County Genealogical Society will Meet on Apr 16, 2019, in Lapeer
This month's meeting is on the Finer Points of Genealogical Research presented by Jim and Cindie Wade. Anyone starting their journey in genealogy will be able to get some guidance at the meeting.
See you soon at Mt. Clemens Public Library!
LE
Thursday, March 21, 2019
Heads Up: Our April 5th MCGG Friday Meeting is on The Archives of Michigan
Learn what is happening at our state's archives directly from one of the archivists.
If you are in the Mt. Clemens area, PLEASE JOIN US.
See you soon at the Mt. Clemens Public Library!
LE
Saturday, March 16, 2019
Free Access to All Irish Records on MyHeritage until March 20, 2019
There are 109 collections included as shown in the Ireland - Collection Catalog. You can search using the SuperSearch page but the Ireland - Collection Catalog more clearly shows which collections are included in the free access.
It appears no username is required to search and see the collections in the free access. Please note that the page display is a bit different than the other big genealogy websites, we suggest clicking on display full screen to better see the census image.
Have fun searching!
See you soon at Mt. Clemens Public Library! LE
Thursday, March 14, 2019
Ancestry.com gives Free Access to its Irish Records 'til March 18, 2019
Ancestry.com is giving genealogists another way to celebrate St. Patrick's Day with free access to its Irish Records collection until March 18, 2019, at 11:59 p.m. ET.
There is a St. Patrick's Day Free Access page to start your search and a list of what records are included. On this access page there is also a downloadable guide with tips for finding your Irish ancestors.
If you are not a member (pay or free account) already, you need a free Ancestry account in order to participate. Remember, for free access you do not need to subscribe, do a free-trial or provide your credit card. If you see any of this, you have clicked on the wrong thing. Simply register for a free username. You do this by going to the link above and starting a search. Then a pop-up window will show asking for your name and email address. Fill that in and as it says a username and password will be sent to your email.
Remember when the free access period ends you will not have access to any records found unless you have a paid subscription. So make sure to download the record images you have found so you do have future access to them.
Good Luck Everyone! And stay safe!
See you soon at Mt. Clemens Public Library!
LE
There is a St. Patrick's Day Free Access page to start your search and a list of what records are included. On this access page there is also a downloadable guide with tips for finding your Irish ancestors.
If you are not a member (pay or free account) already, you need a free Ancestry account in order to participate. Remember, for free access you do not need to subscribe, do a free-trial or provide your credit card. If you see any of this, you have clicked on the wrong thing. Simply register for a free username. You do this by going to the link above and starting a search. Then a pop-up window will show asking for your name and email address. Fill that in and as it says a username and password will be sent to your email.
Remember when the free access period ends you will not have access to any records found unless you have a paid subscription. So make sure to download the record images you have found so you do have future access to them.
Good Luck Everyone! And stay safe!
See you soon at Mt. Clemens Public Library!
LE
Sunday, March 10, 2019
This Wednesday, March 13, 2019, at 7pm MCGG Let's Talk...Genealogy Meets with Back to Basics: Obituaries as the Topic
Let us all share and learn about obituaries and how they help your research.
New attendees are always welcome.
See you soon at the Mt. Clemens Public Library!
LE
Saturday, March 9, 2019
Vivid-Pix Software Celebrates Second Patent with $10 Off This Weekend
MCGG member Robert McGarry mentioned this software in his photo enhancing presentation last November.
Vivid-Pix's photo correction software applications are:
- Vivid-Pix Restore which provides one-click correction that can be fine tuned with sliders for scanned prints, slides, documents and digital camera images focusing on general photography and restoring faded pictures and documents, and
- Vivid-Pix Land and Sea Scuba which provides one-click correction that can be fine tuned with sliders for scanned prints, slides, and digital camera images focusing on general photography and underwater photography.
The price is $49.99 for each software application, but this weekend the sales cart will reflect the $10 off bringing the cost down to $39.99 each. To learn more, check out the company's website and view the overview or tutorial videos.
See you soon at Mt. Clemens Public Library!
LE
Friday, March 8, 2019
NSDAR Alexander Macomb Chapter hosts free Genealogy and Lineage Workshop
 |
| Get help learning if you have a Revolutionary War Patriot Ancestor in your family tree. |
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
Thursday, March 7, 2019
It's a St. Patrick's Day DNA Sale, FamilyFinder now $59 'till Mar 18
It is a St. Patrick's Day DNA sale over at Family Tree DNA where it's FamilyFinder (autosomal) DNA test regularly $79 is on sale for $59. There is no sale end date stated at this time but it is likely March 17 or 18, 2019. Shipping and taxes are extra which vary depending on where the test is shipped. From a while back the shipping cost to Michigan was about $12.95 for one kit which covers the receiving and sending the test.
Family Tree DNA provides an ethnicity (admixture) report, list of DNA matches, chromosome browser and allows DNA matches to contact a match directly if that match allows it. Once tested, DNA samples are stored so that additional test types (upgrades) can be added if desired. Family Tree DNA is the only genealogy DNA testing company that offers all three DNA test types: autosomal, Y-DNA and mtDNA. No subscription is needed to see/use all the DNA matching features.
Family Tree DNA also offers autosomal DNA transfers. So if you have already tested at another genealogy DNA testing company you can upload your RAW DNA data to get your test into another "pool" of potential DNA matches. The transfer is initially free which lets you see all your matches and use the FamilyFinder-Matrix to compare up to 10 matches. To access additional FamilyFinder tools the cost is just $19 to unlock them.
Family Tree DNA currently accepts autosomal transfers from:
- Ancestry DNA (V1 and V2 chips)
- 23andME (V3 and V4 chips) but not its V1 and V2 chips or its V5 chip in use since Aug. 2017
- MyHeritageDNA
See you soon at Mt. Clemens Public Library!
LE
It's a St. Patrick's Day DNA Sale, AncestryDNA now $59 'till Mar 18
As of today, March 7, Ancestry is having a St. Patrick's Day DNA sale. Now the AncestryDNA (autosomal) test regularly $99 is $59, a savings of 40 percent. Shipping and taxes are extra. This sale ends March 18, 2019, at 11:59 p.m. ET.
We are not sure if the FREESHIPDNA code will work with this sale but it does not hurt to try it.
Nearly 15 million AncestryDNA test kits have been sold now according to reports at the end of February during the RootsTech 2019 conference and a press release on February 28, 2019, by Ancestry. As the testing company with the largest "pool" of potential DNA matches it is a good place to start.
AncestryDNA test results provide an ethnicity/admixture report, a migrations report, a DNA match list, shared matches, an internal member messaging system, and automatic updates to results.
If you do not have a data/records membership subscription you will not have access to some DNA features/tools. With an active paid subscription to Ancestry, the additional DNA features are New Ancestry 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. Access to these extra features end if you discontinue your data subscription. Some of these extra features require a public family tree linked to the AncestryDNA kit.
Ancestry offers an AncestryDNAInsights subscription (available by calling customer service) for about $49/year which would give access to all of the DNA tools but not any data/records. (Price as of 2016 we are not sure if the pricing has changed since then.)
Also mentioned with this sale is a new add-on to the AncestryDNA autosomal test called AncestryDNA Traits. This add-on, which is currently advertised for $10 or $9.99 for existing AncestryDNA kits, gives a look at 18 personal traits. These traits are: Sweet Sensitivity, Savory (Umami) Sensitivity, Bitter Sensitivity, Cilantro Aversion, Asparagus Metabolite Detection, Eye Color, Male Hair Loss, Hair Type, Hair Color, Hair Strand Thickness, Iris Patterns, Freckles, Cleft Chin, Unibrow, Finger Length, Skin Pigmentation, Earlobe Shape, and Earwax Type. New traits may be available in the future for additional costs.
AncestryDNA is the one DNA/genealogy testing site that does not provide a chromosome browser tool which allows you to see the chromosome segments you share in common with a match which is one of the scientific ways to confirm a match is a true match and not a match by chance. To access a chromosome browser you would need to download your kit's DNA data and upload that data to one of the three companies that do provide a chromosome browser: MyHeritageDNA, Family Tree DNA, and the third-party GedMatch.com website.
Want to save on shipping costs? Remember AncestryDNA also sells its test kits on Amazon.com and at sale prices when it is having a sale. Non-AmazonPrime members get free shipping due to the total cost and because it is fulfilled by Amazon; AmazonPrime members just get quicker 2-day shipping for free. But be cautious and make sure the test kit you are buying is "sold by AncestryDNAOfficial and fulfilled by Amazon" to insure you are buying a genuine test kit. You will find this information just below the sale price. See the image below.
 |
| Look for this before adding your item to your cart. |
We will let you know when we hear about any other St. Patrick's Day DNA sales.
See you soon at Mt. Clemens Public Library!
LE
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