My Mother Knew All Along

I have uploaded the raw data from my Ancestry.com DNA test to Gedmatch.com, which lets me find matches with others who have taken DNA tests from a variety of companies. It also gives me tools for genealogy and DNA analysis. 

To get the following numbers, I used one of those tools--an admixture (heritage or ethnicity) utility using the project Eurogenes-13. This is my approximate heritage, as my DNA test revealed. I do like that touch of Siberian!

For a good description and explanation of different Gedmatch admixture utilities, see Finally! A Gedmatch Admixture Guide on the Genealogical Musings blog. 

Eurogenes K13 Admixture Proportions

Eurogenes K13 4-Ancestors Oracle

Looking at the results, I think it's a wonder I don't have a Scottish accent. It pleased me to watch the BBC Scotland crime drama Shetland last night, as the Shetlands are the group of islands just 158 miles from the Orkneys. However, despite my DNA, I still had to turn on the captions to understand the old timers of Shetland.

The map shows how possible historical migrations might have affected the mixture: The Orkney Islands of Scotland ("Orcadian" on my list) lie between Norway and Scotland, so that could be where the Scandinavian part comes in, as ancient populations moved down into Scotland.  By the way, the modern map I've shown implies that one may drive between the islands. I am assuming the mileage-counters are depending on the local ferries.

If you need further proof of my Scottish heritage check out my outfit in the class photo below. It was designed and sewn by my teacher mom, who always remembered picture day and apparently knew all about my ancient ancestral past well before most folks knew much about DNA.

DNA Testing: What To Do With the Results

Chromosome Painting: Silk panel studio installation by Geraldine Ondrizek 

at the University of Washington, 2012

I ordered and received my Ancestry.com DNA test, spit into the tube, followed the directions to seal it up, mailed it back and have received the results. I was so excited to finally be able to view my DNA matches--in Safari, not in Chrome, as I discovered. For some reason using Chrome as a browser on a Mac for Ancestry DNA results results in a lot of blank screens.

Now what? At first I thought I wasn't seeing any great surprises, but that is because I didn't really understand what I was seeing. For me, DNA might just stand for Don't kNow Anything. I needed some basic genealogical genetics education.

First thing: I watched some instructional videos on YouTube. Just search there for "DNA for genealogists" and you'll find plenty to learn about. Ancestry.com has lots of information on its own YouTube channel, with an introduction here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c3QBrbSKihw.

Next: I joined several groups on Facebook:

Genetic Genealogy Tips and Techniques 

DNA Newbie

GEDmatch.com User Group

Because I'm so new to this, I often have no idea what they are talking about, but every once in awhile there is a glimmer of understanding and a good hint that I can apply, even at this early stage.

I plan to go through the Beginner's Guide at the Family Tree DNA Learning Center; and How to Interpret Your Ancestry DNA Test Results at The Genealogy Guide.

I just saw this list of useful DNA tools this morning from Tim Janzen on Facebook. It's part of the syllabus for his upcoming 2018 RootsTech presentation on autosomal DNA tools. I am putting it here on this blog so that I can work my way through the list.

1. GEDmatch.com 

2. DNAGEDCOM 

3. ADSA program by Don Worth at http://www.dnagedcom.com/adsa/index.php and other tools at DNAGEDCOM such as Gworks. 

4. Andreas West is developing a website at https://www.dnagenealogy.tools 

5. Louis Kessler’s program Double Match Triangulator at http://www.doublematchtriangulator.com 

6. David Pike’s website at www.math.mun.ca/~dapike/FF23utils 

7. Genomemate Pro 

8. The DNA Genealogy Experiment at https://dnagen.net. 

9. DNA.land 

10. Felix Chandrakumar’s tools www.y-str.org/tools. 

11. Jeff Snavely’s AncestryDNA tool called AncestryDNA Helper. 

Chromosome mapping:

          12. Jonny Perl’s chromosome mapping tool at https://dnapainter.com

13. Kitty Cooper’s chromosome mapping tool at http://kittymunson.com/dna/ChromosomeMapper

Visual phasing: 

14. Steven Fox’s visual phasing tool downloadable as an Excel file from https://www.facebook.com/grou…/visualphasing/345860632514023.

I only knew about GEDmatch, the first item on the list. Here is a description from Your DNA Guide:

Gedmatch can be a great place to collaborate with others who have been tested at other companies and gain access to more genetic tools to try to figure out how you are related to others. 

It is a FREE (yes, FREE!) service provided by very intelligent and motivated genetic genealogists. Anyone with genetic genealogy test results from 23andMe, FTDNA.com (the Family Finder test), and Ancestry.com [can compare results]. 

One last thing: You can read an interview with Tim Janzen (who wrote the above list) here: https://www.familytreedna.com/learn/news/tim-janzen-genetic-genealogy-interview/

I have so much to learn!

Remembering Claude Bartley

I never met Claude Bartley in person, only through correspondence, but his kindness and humor shone through his words. His family lived next to my grandparent's (the Crabtrees) family in Beaconsfield, New Brunswick during the 1920s and 1930s. Claude shared his memories with me three years ago for the following posts on this blog: Claude Bartley Remembers, Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3.

Claude died in July, at the age of 91. Here is his obituary.

Claude Bartley

Claude "Papa" L. Bartley, 91

PORTLAND - Claude Luke Bartley, 91, of Portland entered into his heavenly rest on Sunday, July 30, 2017, at his home surrounded by his loving family.He was born in Easton, Maine, on Dec. 9, 1925; the son of the late Wellington and Alice Bartley and was raised in Beaconsfield, New Brunswick, Canada. 

He met his future bride, Jeanne Longstaff, before being sent overseas during World War II as a member of the Canadian Army. Upon his return, they married August 6, 1947. In 1951, they moved to Maine where he became a builder. As a well known contractor in Portland, he worked with his brother, Martin Bartley, to develop Bartley Gardens in North Deering, Portland. One client often said of Claude, "If Claude can't fix it, no one can!"

Among his many hobbies, he enjoyed most learning to fly and teaching himself to paint, sketch, and play various guitars. At the age of 80, Claude taught himself to use the computer.

Claude and Jeanne lived in Portland for many years where they raised their four children. In 1992, they began wintering in Lakeland, Fla. where they still own a home.

Papa loved life and will be remembered for his infectious smile, his good-natured ways and his wonderful sense of humor. 

Claude was preceded in death by eight siblings; and grandson, Shawn Googins. He is survived by his loving wife of 70 years, Jeanne; son C. Murray (Janet), daughter Myrna Googins (Howard), daughter Gloria Bartley; Greg (Dorcas); and sister Grace Lee of St. John, New Brunswick, Canada. Claude is also survived by seven grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren, all of whom inherited his wit and striking good looks!

Friends and relatives are invited to a time of visitation from 10-11 a.m. on Thursday, August 3, 2017, at Jones Rich & Barnes Funeral Home, 199 Woodford St. Portland, where a Celebration of Life service will follow at 11 am. Interment will be private. 

Please visit www.jonesrichandbarnes.com for additional information and to sign Claude's online guest book.

Donations can be made 

in Claude's memory to:

Emmanuel Assembly

1575 Washington Ave.

Portland, ME 04103

Funeral Home

Jones, Rich & Barnes Funeral Home

199 Woodford Street Portland, ME 04103 

(207) 775-3763

Published in Portland Press Herald/Maine Sunday Telegram on Aug. 1, 2017