We are a genealogy group for people who like to think outside the box and beyond the chart. We exchange support for our work and excitement about how we’re sharing it. Our meetings include topics and speakers on writing, crafts, photo projects, organization, trips, reunions, issues, and much more.
Third Wednesdays 1:30-3:30 Contact Kathy knielsen68@gmail.com or Karen 917-2042 for Zoom meeting details.
In January: Family History Scrapbooking with Devon Noel Lee.
Bloomberg News reports that Ancestry are discontinuing their health test after just over a year to focus on their core family tree business. This will lead to the loss of 77 jobs. These job losses are on top of the 100 redundancies announced in February 2020 which were attributed to “a slowdown in demand across the entire DNA category” now that “most early adopters have entered the category.”
It was announced in August that Ancestry was to be acquired by the investment company Blackstone. The $4.7 billion acquisition was duly completed in December 2020. At the same time, we learnt that Margo Georgiadis, Ancestry’s President & CEO, was going to leave the company at the end of 2020. A new CEO is expected to be appointed in early 2021 who will “drive the next phase of the company’s ongoing growth”.
Read more here: https://cruwys.blogspot.com/
“MELBOURNE, Australia, Jan. 7, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — Dr. Lior Rauchberger, CEO of leading Australian genomics company, myDNA, announced a merger with the U.S., Houston-based consumer DNA test company, FamilyTreeDNA, and its parent company, Gene by Gene. Dr. Rauchberger will step into the role of CEO of the merged companies, effective immediately. Gene by Gene co-founders Bennett Greenspan and Max Blankfeld will join the Board of Directors.”
“FamilyTreeDNA, launched in 2000, has the distinction of being the first company in the U.S to offer direct-to-consumer DNA testing for genealogical research. myDNA, founded in 2007 by Associate Professor, Les Sheffield, started with a mission to improve countless lives by revolutionizing the field of pharmacogenomics, making truly personalized medicine a reality, before expanding into nutrigenomics to deliver actionable, personalized nutrition, fitness and skincare recommendations.”
“About myDNA – http://www.mydna.life
myDNA is an Australian personalized genomics company that decodes the information in our genes to help us understand the power of our DNA and what to do with that knowledge. myDNA’s tests are simple cheek-swabs that can be ordered online and carried out in the safety of your own home. Their vision is to be the world’s most trusted provider of personalized, actionable, genetic information.”
About Gene by Gene – http://www.genebygene.com | http://www.familytreedna.com
“Founded in 2000, Gene by Gene, Ltd. provides reliable genetic testing services to a wide range of consumers and institutional customers through its four divisions focusing on ancestry, health, research, and paternity. Genetic genealogy testing services are provided by FamilyTreeDNA – a division of Gene by Gene and the pioneers of the direct-to-consumer genetic genealogy industry. Gene by Gene is CAP/CLIA registered and, through its clinical health division, offers health, wellness, and regulated diagnostic testing services. The privately held company, along with its state-of-the-art Genomics Research Center, is headquartered in Houston, TX.”
“Factories of the future will have two workers: a man and a dog. The man will feed the dog and the dog will keep the man away from the machines.” – Warren Bennis
MoCoGenSo had an election for officers tonight! Three position were filled with these people.
Congratulations to these brave folks!! And thanks for helping our group.
You can see the full slate of officers by CLICKING HERE
By the way, we still have a few open positions. We are looking for a Genealogist, Hospitality director, Parliamentarian and a Publications director. Please contact someone in the above list if you can help out. Surely there is a genealogist out there with some spare time on your hands!
” Genealogist’s motto: they can hide but they can’t run.
MyHeritage makes their Facebook LIVE seminars available to all for Free on Facebook. They produced 90 of them in 2020. You can get a list of these free goodies here and watch them at your leisure.
Watch It on Replay: Access the MyHeritage Facebook LIVES of 2020
Roberta Estes in her DNA eXplained blog wrote a really good summary overview of the last 20 years of Genetic Genealogy. (Can it really be that long?) See it here:
Genetic Genealogy at 20 Years: Where Have We Been, Where Are We Going and What’s Important?
There will be a short, but required Annual Business Meeting for Election of Officers. This will be followed by a presentation and group interaction with Shelley McFadden, on exploring different tips for searching with Ancestry. Many of us spend wasted time trying to search on Ancestry. But understanding how Ancestry works, and how to get results, can be easier than you think. We will explore many different techniques to search on Ancestry, and I am hoping you will come up with a few new ones to share with the group.
Shelley McFadden holds a BFA in Fine Arts at the University of Hawaii and is a retired RN from CHOMP. She has worked for over 40 years on her family genealogy. Her focus has been on Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, North and South Carolina, New York, Ohio, & New England. She is currently serving as acting President for Monterey County Genealogy Society, and 1st Vice President, Programs Chair. She is a member of the DAR Commodore Sloat Chapter & Assoc. member of the Aloha Chapter in Hawaii. A Charter member of the Colonial Dames in Hawaii. She specializes in Newspaper Research. She is currently working on research in the Monterey County Cemeteries with Jeannie Pedersen, Tina Magill, Theresa Henderson and Barbara Brown, and in connection with James Perry, Director of the Monterey County Historical Society, and Graig Stephens at the Soledad Historical Society in Soledad, CA.
The Zoom meeting will start at 7:00 pm sharp.Zoom meeting details will be sent by invitation only. If you are not a member and wish to attend, send an email with your email address to our Membership VP, Marilyn Ruccello.
If you are not familiar with Zoom, click here.
”Don’t let the bees follow the butterflies.” – Jim Robeson
Speakers will be talking about the following:
DNA & Law Enforcement – Marian Woods
GEDmatch Basics – Kitty Cooper
Tracing Ancestral Lines in the 1700s Using DNA – Tim Janzen
A Guide To Chromosome Browsers & DNA Segment Data – Michelle Leonard
The online sessions will begin at 10am Eastern Time on Saturday, 30th January 2021. Some answers to common questions that people have asked us:
1. Yes, the sessions are live. These are not pre-recorded, so if you have questions, then please ask them in the chat during any of the sessions and we’ll get them answered.
2. Yes there are door prizes.
3. No, you don’t have to be watching the live presentations to win (although we hope you do), everyone who is registered will be eligible to win the door prizes.
4. Yes, recordings of the sessions will be available for 30 days after the virtual conference so even if you can’t make the live session, register so that you can watch the recordings.
5. Yes we use our webcams. You don’t have to watch slides all the time. You also get to see people.
6. Yes, this event is open to anyone who wants to register. No need to travel or even change out of your pajamas if you don’t want to.
As with past events there will be a 5th hour panel discussion where you can ask questions about any of the topics or even anything else related to genealogy and research. Early bird registration is only $19.99 until January 22nd. The regular registration price is $24.99. Learn more at the website (https://www.familyhistoryfanatics.com/winterdna) and register today.
This event will be a panel discussion focusing on the changes and events of the past year and what we all might see in the future. Here is the link to the MyHeritage Facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/myheritage You can see the Facebook live videos by clicking on the Videos tab.
