For those interested in genetic genealogy, DNA genealogy, and those interested in discovering family origins resulting from adoption or unknown parentage. You can become a DNA Detective.
DNA testing sites became appealing for those interested in learning about their ethnicity. An unintended consequence has been the ability it has given myself and others to locate and identify biological family members for adoptees. Then, in 2018, Law Enforcement discovered this powerful tool and began using it to identify suspects in 28 cases.
Reverse Genealogy
Reverse Genealogy is a process used by genetic genealogists to construct a family tree of a person’s DNA matches. This process is used to help find unknown family members.
Jay Cook and Tanya Van Cuylenborg where traveling from British Columbia to Seattle, Washington in 1987. It took CeCe Moore only three days to identify the killer of this couple. “Moore uploaded a DNA sample from one of the crime scenes to the genealogical search engine of GEDmatch. She was able to identify two distant relatives of the murderer, and with the use of traditional genealogical methods traced ancestors who were common to the suspect, and to every one of the relatives who had been found. At this stage, she started to build a family tree forward in time.” Read Full Article
Delving into the records and researching the documents, can be a timeless task. Timeless because one loses track of time. It is important to take a break from researching a person, document or chasing leads. These are the reasons why I take a break.
Your cache in your browser fills up and sometimes you just see the same stuff you have already seen – clear cache and clean up cookies too!
Some websites refresh quite regularly; usually every 24 hours. There are websites which will suddenly upload a bunch of new data, making searches more productive
Much of my work has been with adoptees in search of their biological parents. Everyone has an opinion about whether or not an adoptee should search for their biological family. My opinion does not matter. If someone asks for my help, I will help them.
The best word to describe my philosophy on this subject is empathy. In no way could I ever imagine how it feels to be adopted. My work has helped me understand that adoptees gain a sense of connectedness once they learn who their biological parents were.
If we reach out and the biological family is disinterested, our efforts were not in vain. The larger story involving many generations is significant. Were their ancestors in the Civil War? Did they escape the Holocaust? Did they come to the United States after the Potato Famine? There are rich and compelling stories to be discovered that happened before conception. These stories are empowering and priceless.
The tip of our tree involves our parents. Our story grows as we research our generational past. With each generation, there is a story to learn. History comes alive and we learn how our ancestors shaped history. The lessons we learned in school become real and applicable to us.
Recently, Laura Hill, a fellow researcher and newly discovered relative (via DNA) of my husband, reached out to me with these questions. She connects to my husband on his Curtis line, and the surname Hill is a coincidence.
Last night I listened to a webinar on the basics of DNA. There were some questions from the listeners, but then the moderator and the presenter started talking about the ethics of DNA. They said one should not be asking how a match is related lest there be a non-parental event in which the other person was not aware.
The moderator went on to say that her best friend has been traumatized and going to receive counseling after learning some family secret via a DNA test.
Would you characterize your husband and you to have been traumatized to learn that he did not descend from a Hill ancestor? Does it make you/him wish you had never taken the test? Do you think it wrong to ask about how they are related to oneself?
The moderator was also saying that one shouldn’t contact people to inform them of the new-found relationship: in your case, that you shouldn’t contact Curtis descendants of your husband’s ancestor.
I feel that it is good to make connections. I used to have an idealized view of my ancestors, but through DNA and genealogy I realize what goes on now also went on then; there are no perfect people.
If I learned my father had created a child outside of marriage, I might feel differently, but suspect after the initial shock I would want to welcome a newly found relative.
What’s your opinion? Laura Hill
I appreciate these questions because DNA surprises will have an impact on others. Before I submitted my own DNA, I thought about the privacy implications and weighed the pros and cons.
There is a possibility you will learn something you did not know about your family. Take a moment to consider the chance that you might learn something unexpected. Are you prepared to deal with what you might learn?
DNA is a tool used by law enforcement to solve crimes. If you or someone who shares your DNA has committed a crime, your DNA could be helpful in an unsolved case. Although, not having your DNA will probably not prevent the case from being solved because thousands of others have shared their DNA results.
People take DNA tests for many reasons. Some are only interested in their ethnic make-up. If you are not interested in the other uses of DNA results, you can keep your results private by not sharing them or deleting them once you learn yourr ethnicity.
The moderator of the Webinar you attended would be very unhappy with me. Not only do I reach out to others who have tested, but I also contact people who have not tested. I send letters to people who I believe are close relatives of the adoptees I am helping. I am gentle but factual with the information I give. If I send a letter to a gentleman who I believe is the father of an adoptee, I share the information I have. It is not uncommon for a man to have unknowingly fathered a child. If he wishes to make a connection or research this further, I will help. If the possible father does not respond, the adoptee has gained powerful and validating information.
The Curtis Research
The DNA Curtis Puzzle
Although I have not finished writing about my research experience about husband’s DNA, suffice it to say, he should carry the surname Curtis. After years of research and collaboration with other DNA testers, we have discovered a non-paternal event in his line. My husband’s grandfather on his paternal line was not his biological grandfather. We are not damaged or traumatized. Our discovery happened over some time and we, believe his grandfather knew that he was not the father. He was an incredible man. Not only did he raise a child who was not his, but he also embraced the child and gave him his name. The fact is, if it were not for the non-paternal event, my husband would not be here today! Damaged, no. Grateful and proud, yes.
In the coming months, this entire research project will be posted on my website. I have stared with sharing information about Susan Lloyd and James Patterson Hill, Sr. and there will be more to come. I hope you enjoy reading it.
DNA testing has become a very popular addition to genealogy research. As the number of people with DNA profiles increases, technology advances and allows us to look at DNA matches in very technical ways. One method to better understand our matches is by using triangulation techniques. Triangulation refers to matches with whom we share matches. Person A shares a match with person B and person C. Person C shares a match with A and B. Person B shares a match with A and C. This is a triangulation. Raw DNA data helps us see the length of DNA strands we share with our matches (in centimorgans), which specific chromosomes we match on (1-23), and allows us to see others we have in common (whose DNA overlaps on a specific chromosome). Double Match Triangulation was developed by Louis Kessler (Behold Genealogy). This tool helps us with looking at all of our triangulated matches. Using this tool we should be able to better determine which matches are maternal/paternal, identify those who share chromosome segments which may come from specific ancestors, and which part of our DNA segments might come from a specific ancestor.
In order to use this tool, we must have the raw DNA data from our testing company. Ancestry.com does not provide the detailed information needed to use this tool; however, Ancestry.com does allow you to download your raw data. This file can then be uploaded into GedMatch.com, FamilyTreeDNA.com, or MyHeritage.com, for free. Once you have created an account with Gedmatch.com, you can begin using the methodology developed by Mr. Kessler.
Yesterday, I designed an Access Database, which will allow me to import my data (no data entry) so I can begin looking at my DNA matches with this technology. I will keep you posted on my progress. Let the fun begin!
Yesterday, I designed an Access Database, which will allow me to import my data (no data entry) so I can begin looking at my DNA matches with this technology. I will keep you posted on my progress. Let the fun begin!