To my students in my Tuesday night genealogy class on digital mediums at Tri-County Community College:
Due to the inclement weather overnight and today (snow) the college is closed today so there will be no classes tonight. Also things are not looking good for Thursday night as well but we will have to wait and see in that regard.
So I hope I will see you all next Tuesday night and my fingers are crossed that the weather will be better then.
Stay warm and safe,
Larry
Tuesday, February 24, 2015
Tuesday, February 17, 2015
Genealogy Classes Week of 17 Feb - 22 Feb 2015 Cancelled
To my students in my Tuesday and Thursday night genealogy classes at Tri-County Community College:
Due to the inclement weather overnight and the bitter cold weather we expect on Thursday, I have asked the college to cancel both classes - tonight and Thursday night.
Due to the dangerous cold on expected on Thursday I do not feel good having you folks on the road during the nighttime hours.
So I will see you all next week and my fingers are crossed that the weather will be better then.
Stay warm and safe,
Larry
Due to the inclement weather overnight and the bitter cold weather we expect on Thursday, I have asked the college to cancel both classes - tonight and Thursday night.
Due to the dangerous cold on expected on Thursday I do not feel good having you folks on the road during the nighttime hours.
So I will see you all next week and my fingers are crossed that the weather will be better then.
Stay warm and safe,
Larry
Friday, February 13, 2015
Ancestry Will Expand DNA Circles in 2015
Blog editors note: See my comments at the end of this post.
According to a press release from Ancestry and information on Blaine Bettinger's Genetic Genealogist blog, Ancestry will expand it's use of DNA circles later this year to include DNA circles connections to matches with no family tree connections.
From the Ancestry press releases this week at Rootstech:
"Building on DNA Circles, in 2015 we will launch a new experience that will use the latest genetic technology to discover new ancestors without the customer having to search records or build a family tree. This new feature will transform how family history research is done by providing valuable hints to help experienced genealogist looking to break through brick walls, as well as open family history to a whole new segment of the population. Through this new experience, AncestryDNA customers will be able to discover new ancestors as far back as the 1700’s by connecting into existing DNA Circles."
Blaine Bettinger wrote on his blog:
DNA Circles Without Family Trees
"...in the coming weeks AncestryDNA will launch an extension of the DNA Circles tool in which they assign you to a DNA Circle without having a family tree connection.
"Currently, you must have a decent public tree in order to be put into a DNA Circle based on genealogical relationships. Using this new tool, however, you will (potentially) be put into circles without a tree showing that you belong to the circle (in other words, based only on genetic relationships regardless of the trees).
"But note! Just because a person is identified does NOT mean they are a direct-line ancestor! Some of these individuals will be collateral matches (a sibling or cousin of a direct ancestor for example), and others will be due to population effects (such as endogamy). Only a certain percentage will actually be direct-line ancestors. It will be impossible to determine – based on the DNA Circle alone – whether an identified person is direct-line, collateral, or population-based. To the point below, additional research will always, always, be necessary.
Using New DNA Circles
"It is vitally important to recognize that these new DNA Circles can ONLY be used as hints for further research, NEVER as proof. They are not definitive proof of a relationship. Instead, placement within a circle means that you have some genetic relationship with one or more other people in the circle, all of whom happen to be descended from the identified individual, and that there is some genetic network.
It will be up to each of us to explore that connection in detail – and independently of the DNA – to determine whether there might be a genealogical relationship with the new individual."
The old Chief's thoughts: This is interesting in several respects. It is sorta like what I have been teaching in my classes regarding researched matches, where maybe your tree is more built out than others and you are able to complete the matches ancestral line thanks to your research. It also works the other way as well. This will expand that just a little bit by adding in genetic relationships only as well. That will probably save me some additional research time on some of the matches and bring to the forefront some potential matches that I may have previously overlooked. All in all, I am anxious to use this new tool and see how it meshes up with what I have been doing in my recent DNA research. More to follow hopefully very, very soon.
According to a press release from Ancestry and information on Blaine Bettinger's Genetic Genealogist blog, Ancestry will expand it's use of DNA circles later this year to include DNA circles connections to matches with no family tree connections.
From the Ancestry press releases this week at Rootstech:
"Building on DNA Circles, in 2015 we will launch a new experience that will use the latest genetic technology to discover new ancestors without the customer having to search records or build a family tree. This new feature will transform how family history research is done by providing valuable hints to help experienced genealogist looking to break through brick walls, as well as open family history to a whole new segment of the population. Through this new experience, AncestryDNA customers will be able to discover new ancestors as far back as the 1700’s by connecting into existing DNA Circles."
Blaine Bettinger wrote on his blog:
DNA Circles Without Family Trees
"...in the coming weeks AncestryDNA will launch an extension of the DNA Circles tool in which they assign you to a DNA Circle without having a family tree connection.
"Currently, you must have a decent public tree in order to be put into a DNA Circle based on genealogical relationships. Using this new tool, however, you will (potentially) be put into circles without a tree showing that you belong to the circle (in other words, based only on genetic relationships regardless of the trees).
"But note! Just because a person is identified does NOT mean they are a direct-line ancestor! Some of these individuals will be collateral matches (a sibling or cousin of a direct ancestor for example), and others will be due to population effects (such as endogamy). Only a certain percentage will actually be direct-line ancestors. It will be impossible to determine – based on the DNA Circle alone – whether an identified person is direct-line, collateral, or population-based. To the point below, additional research will always, always, be necessary.
Using New DNA Circles
"It is vitally important to recognize that these new DNA Circles can ONLY be used as hints for further research, NEVER as proof. They are not definitive proof of a relationship. Instead, placement within a circle means that you have some genetic relationship with one or more other people in the circle, all of whom happen to be descended from the identified individual, and that there is some genetic network.
It will be up to each of us to explore that connection in detail – and independently of the DNA – to determine whether there might be a genealogical relationship with the new individual."
The old Chief's thoughts: This is interesting in several respects. It is sorta like what I have been teaching in my classes regarding researched matches, where maybe your tree is more built out than others and you are able to complete the matches ancestral line thanks to your research. It also works the other way as well. This will expand that just a little bit by adding in genetic relationships only as well. That will probably save me some additional research time on some of the matches and bring to the forefront some potential matches that I may have previously overlooked. All in all, I am anxious to use this new tool and see how it meshes up with what I have been doing in my recent DNA research. More to follow hopefully very, very soon.
Thursday, February 12, 2015
Ancestry Announces 2015 Product and Content Lineup
PROVO, UT--(Marketwired - February 11, 2015) - Ancestry, the world's leading family history service, is ushering in the next generation of family history, with the debut of an updated story centric website, groundbreaking advancements in AncestryDNA that will revolutionize how people discover their ancestors, and the anticipated addition of nearly 1 billion new records to the largest collection of historical records online in 2015.
"We're incredibly excited about all the amazing things we have in store for our members this year," said Tim Sullivan, CEO of Ancestry. "In 2015, we'll be launching some of the most innovative new features and services in our company's history. We think these additions are going to make Ancestry an even more powerful resource for our existing users, while also making family history easier, more accessible, and more fun for those just getting started. We're also proud of our commitment to continue investing in new content. Our 2015 content roadmap will be anchored by our expected fall release of more than 170 million Probate and Wills images, one of the most exciting, engaging, and interesting content collections we've ever published."
Over the next year, Ancestry will introduce breakthrough features and compelling content -- made possible by powerful advancements in science and technology -- that will give you an easier, richer and more engaging way to discover and tell your family story, and make your family history journey easy and engaging, through a highly customized, relevant and historically rich experience rooted in discovery and storytelling.
"We're incredibly excited about all the amazing things we have in store for our members this year," said Tim Sullivan, CEO of Ancestry. "In 2015, we'll be launching some of the most innovative new features and services in our company's history. We think these additions are going to make Ancestry an even more powerful resource for our existing users, while also making family history easier, more accessible, and more fun for those just getting started. We're also proud of our commitment to continue investing in new content. Our 2015 content roadmap will be anchored by our expected fall release of more than 170 million Probate and Wills images, one of the most exciting, engaging, and interesting content collections we've ever published."
Over the next year, Ancestry will introduce breakthrough features and compelling content -- made possible by powerful advancements in science and technology -- that will give you an easier, richer and more engaging way to discover and tell your family story, and make your family history journey easy and engaging, through a highly customized, relevant and historically rich experience rooted in discovery and storytelling.
- Major Product Developments
- A new and improved Ancestry website will make it easier for anyone to discover and tell the rich, unique story of their family, through new features and site enhancements that will reinvent the ways Ancestry members create and showcase their family story. The new site experience is currently in limited Beta and will be demonstrated at RootsTech on Friday, Feb. 13 at 1:00 pm MT (Room 151) as well as at the Ancestry booth. Visitors to the Ancestry booth will be able to opt in to participate in the Beta.
- Ancestry mobile will introduce a full search feature in the iOS app that will empower users to access 15 billion historical records and hints anytime, anywhere in the native app environment. The intuitive interface will make both simple and advanced searches easier, while the presentation of search results will also help you quickly identify and prioritize the most important results, making search less complicated. The Ancestry mobile team will showcase version 1 search in the Ancestry booth and discuss search and other mobile features in length during an FGS class, "Ancestry's Mobile World," on Saturday, Feb. 14 at 1:00 pm MT.
- Ancestry will also remain committed to providing the best in educational resources with the launch of Ancestry Academy in April. The new resource will offer how-to tutorials and historical guidance to help experts and novices alike. Released as a limited Beta this week, Ancestry Academy will be showcased via demo in the Exhibit Hall on Friday, Feb. 13 at 3 pm MT. Those interested in participating in this Beta should stop by the Ancestry booth for more information.
- Continued Growth for AncestryDNA
- With a database of over 700,000 genotyped members, AncestryDNA has generated over one billion cousin connections to date. In 2015, we project this database to grow to exceed well over one million genotyped members, resulting in even more and higher quality cousin matches.
- Following the successful launch of AncestryDNA in the UK, we will soon be bringing the service to our members in Australia and Canada, and in doing so, will connect the major English-speaking migrations and globally connect families like never before.
- Building on DNA Circles, in 2015 we will launch a new experience that will use the latest genetic technology to discover new ancestors without the customer having to search records or build a family tree. This new feature will transform how family history research is done by providing valuable hints to help experienced genealogist looking to break through brick walls, as well as open family history to a whole new segment of the population. Through this new experience, AncestryDNA customers will be able to discover new ancestors as far back as the 1700's by connecting into existing DNA Circles.
- Ancestry Around the World
- Last winter, Ancestry expanded the availability of Archives.com to users in the UK, and just last month in Australia and Canada.
- Later this year, Ancestry will announce resources for users in Germany and Mexico. With more than 58 million Americans claiming sole or partial German heritage* and an estimated 34 million residents of Mexican origin** the new sites will give nearly 100 million people in the US alone, the ability to learn more about their family's story.
- New Record Collections
- This fall Ancestry will release more than 170 million name-searchable images of million Probate and Wills records. The most comprehensive collections of its kind, these records will provide access to almost all wills probated in the United States from the mid 19th century to 2000 -- an unprecedented treasure trove of information to better inform familial narratives.
- This spring, Ancestry will release the comprehensive service records collection for the Australian Imperial Forces -- the main expeditionary force of the Australian Army during World War 1. Made available in time for Australia's 100-year commemoration of its entrance into the war, the historical records will help honor the brave men and women that served.
- Also in 2015, Ancestry will make available in the UK, a variety of content collections including WWI War Diaries, Parish Baptism Marriage and Burial Registers, and a collection of Francis Frith historic photos gathered from over 7,000 individual cities, towns, and villages across the UK from 1860-1960.
- Professional Research, Award Winning Television and You
- With more than 150 years of combined research experience, Ancestry's professional research group, AncestryProGenealogists, has helped people trace their family trees and connect with the past for more than 15 years. The team has grown to become the largest service of its kind, supporting research for the Emmy Nominated Show "Who Do You Think You Are?." AncestryProGenealogists will continue to grow and help solve family mysteries, break down brick walls, and discover the stories that tell you who you are and where you came from.
- Ancestry will also continue showcasing family history around the world, through shows like Who Do You Think You Are?, Genealogy Roadshow, Finding Your Roots, and Long Lost Family.
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