Columbus was the first to sell America and he gets an national holiday for it.
There are a few sales going on on DNA tests just for the next couple of days. If you were waiting for the next sale cycle, now is the time.
The biggest sale is, for customers only, 23AndMe is selling their “ancestry+health” test for only $129, I’ve never seen it that low. $70 off for already customers. Get your sister tested now!
MyHeritage is currently only $49. Go check FTDNA and Ancestry too.
Some of our MoCoGenSo members volunteer at the local Monterey Family History Center (FHC). We see lots of different people over the years and it is always a pleasure to help newcomers get their feet wet! Ancestors are free at the FHC 🙂
But many folks forget the same things when they come to a FHC for the first time.
Bring those things with you and your visit will go more smoothly!
”Failure to plan is planning to fail.” – Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez
MoCoGenSo, in cooperation with the FHC, is going to form a new “discussion” group to explore genealogy and the use of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) therein.
We are going to have our meetings discussion oriented, talking about using DNA to enhance our genealogical efforts. Our goal is to help each other learn.
The big deal about this restructuring is the scheduling: we are going to meet on the ”1st Wednesday of the month at 12 noon.
We will hold our first meeting November 6th in the Film room at the FHC. We will provide the large display monitor for computer screens when needed to enhance discussions. I will bring my laptop, you can bring yours. iPads work if you have the right adapter.
I have decided to monitor this group because I myself really do want to learn more. If we provide the forum, perhaps others will share too. We will open the door and see who comes in!
” Fix your eyes forward on what you can do, not back on what you cannot change.” – Tom Clancy
News about the new tree is starting to come out.
In order to utilize the new tree feature, you must enable Beta for your account, which you can find under your name in the Settings area.
Be sure to go to the dna-explained.com blog to see Roberta Estes’ thoughts on the tree.
Adoptees must think they’ve died and gone to the happy hereafter, because all other vendors’ tree support requires you to actually HAVE a tree of some description. Of course, adoptees and people seeking an unknown parent don’t have trees for their unknown parents.
The following was written by 23AndMe themselves.
https://customercare.23andme.com/hc/en-us/articles/360036068393-The-23andMe-Family-Tree-Feature
“Your family tree is written in your DNA, and 23andMe researchers have developed an algorithm that can help you read it.
“Instead of relying on customers to painstakingly enter names and dates — or tracking down records — just to get started, 23andMe new Family Tree does it for you using your genetic connections and DNA Relatives.
“With the click of a button, your genetic family tree is built automatically by an algorithm that predicts relationships based the DNA shared between you and your DNA Relatives. The size of your family tree depends on how many connections and DNA Relatives you have close relationships with in the 23andMe database. Participating in 23andMe’s DNA Relatives tool helps improve the experience. Customers will also be able to add names of relatives, or ancestors, to the family tree whether or not those individuals are on 23andMe. As the 23andMe database grows, customers may see their trees expand.
“We created this new feature because we heard from customers who want to understand their recent family history, but don’t want the hassle of building a traditional family tree from scratch. The team is also working on additional functionality, such as the ability to edit your predicted relationships, which is expected to roll out in the coming weeks. 23andMe’s Family Tree offers a simple friction-free option, and a beautiful way to visualize how you connect with DNA Relatives.”
23AndMe is at it again! They are experimenting with a Tree built from your DNA matches! They are calling it your “predicted tree”. It is similar in purpose to Ancestry’s Thrulines and MyHeritage’s Theory of Family Relativity but it is using those 23AndMe cousins who have been really hard to trace.
I just discovered it today… it hasn’t been discussed yet anywhere and doesn’t even have a real name yet.
Finding this new tool is easy in the IOS App, just move down the home page to where the icon to the tree appears, and click on it.
In the PC site, go to the “Ancestry” section, then go all the way to the bottom of the page and find “Family Tree Beta” in the right of the footer section. Or go to the “Family” section and pick the “Family Tree Beta”.
You should really check this out. It is great. This is the first DNA only tree I have seen. It only goes back 5 generations, and perhaps it limits display to those matching greater than X centimorgans. We’ll find out details in the future. Meanwhile, I figure that the more people who use it, the more likely they are to keep it! Here is a snip from my predicted tree. Note the two cousins names next to my picture:
Perhaps we can explore this new tool at the first meeting of the Genealogy & DNA Discussion Group 🙂
”Never doubt the courage of the French. They were the ones that discovered that snails are edible.”
Dear MoCoGenSo Members,
It is once again time to elect new officers for the 2020 MoCoGenSo Board of Directors. While several of the existing officers are returning, a few key people are retiring. We do have openings and more are coming. We are hoping you will consider joining the team. The Board meets once a month on Mondays and then there is the General Meeting. If you can serve or have any questions please contact Theresa Henderson at kawalla26@gmail.com or any of the other Board members.
Thank you for considering to help.
You can see the current Board list here: MoCoGenSo Officers
Seriously now, we will need your help. 
” The world is a dangerous place, Eliot, not because of those who do evil, but because of those who look on and do nothing..” – Mr. Robot
