Honoring Our Ancestors Newsletter

June 26, 2024

www.megansmolenyak.com

Greetings Fellow Family History Sleuths,

This month I came out of hiding to do an interview with Your DNA Guide, Diahan Southard (please watch our video if you get a chance and stay tuned for another one next month)! Our chat inspired me to write an article about the first decade of genetic genealogy (1999-2009) so you can venture down memory lane with me if you like, but you'll also find the usual hodge-podge of all things genealogical: roots songs created using AI, baby names (getting them from cemeteries and the tyranny of the last syllable), another WWII soldier identified, and Dolly Parton! I'd like to think there's a little something for everyone!

Until next time!

Genetic Genealogy’s First Decade

collecting DNA samples in Slovakia in 2004: AI-imagined (left) versus reality (right)

Genetic genealogist Diahan Southard recently asked a number of people involved in this field over the last 25 years to write about their recollections and thoughts for a book she was compiling, So Far: Genetic Genealogy, The first 25 years, 1999–2024. As an early adopter, I was surprised how many memories came flooding back, and struggled to get down to the requested word count, so I’m sharing a less-streamlined version here (with Diahan’s blessing).

One aspect of genetic genealogy that never ceases to amaze me is how the media keeps covering it as if it were some newfangled, shiny object. But Diahan’s right. It’s been around for a quarter of a century. I was on board early, so I hope that genealogists’ inherent curiosity about the past will extend to our own history and that you’ll enjoy this personal-timeline, behind-the-scenes peek at genetic genealogy’s first ten years.

Click here to continue reading.

Genealogical Roundup, June 26

Photo credit: City of Minneapolis Archives under Creative Commons license

Over 100 years of death records become available online thanks to WPGS efforts - Great news for those with Allegheny County roots!

Soldier Accounted for from WWII (Young, C.) - Welcome home, Tech Sgt Charles Edward Young. Honored to have researched your family. #hero

Ask the Experts with Megan Smolenyak Smolenyak - If y'all are in the mood for a little genealogy chit-chat, please consider watching this conversation I had with Diahan Southard, Your DNA Guide. We had a lot of fun and I hope you will too!

The mysterious tyranny of trendy baby names - Excellent article on US baby names over time.👶 Will surprise you!

Genetic Genealogy’s First Decade - Curious about the early days of genetic genealogy? Curious about the early days of genetic genealogy? I got you covered (thanks to Your DNA Guide!).

Genealogical Roundup, June 19

Ask the Experts with Megan Smolenyak Smolenyak - interview with Diahan Southard, Your DNA Guide

Genealogy Songs - For anyone who's playing with Suno, I've got a playlist of (AI-generated) genealogy songs I'd be happy to add yours to if you send me the link.

'Dolly Parton & Family: Smoky Mountain DNA – Family, Faith & Fables' Set For Release November 15 Via Owepar Entertainment - Who's up for a 4-part docuseries and companion album on Dolly Parton's roots (coming in November)? I love that the producer is a cousin - that person in the family who's the go-to for family history. #genealogy

Genealogical Roundup, June 13

Ask the Experts with Megan Smolenyak Smolenyak – Hey, y’all, look who I’m going to be chatting with this month! Diahan Southard – Your DNA Guide

I Was Mortified When I Found Out My Parents Are Cousins but They Don't Seem To Care - Kind of surprised people are still getting surprised by this stuff. Kissing cousins are so much more common than many grasp.

Supercentenarian and remarkable age records exhibit patterns indicative of clerical errors and pension fraud - While the results aren't all that surprising, it interesting that someone took such a deep dive into this topic! You might have noticed in your research that when people get older, they get sometimes much older. Many elderly, for instance, keep rounding up over time across census records so that someone who's, say, 89 winds up looking as if they're 101. Well, this explores that issue. #genealogy

Shadow Boxes of Almudena Cemetery - Wish shadow boxes were more common in cemeteries. Would be interesting to see what ancestors (and their survivors) decided to include.

Parents are finding baby name ideas by visiting cemeteries - "I am a gravestone baby."👶😮

Genealogical Roundup, June 5

Personal Genetics - I was not expecting to see this today! An oldie, but a goodie. Kevin Kelly weighing in on genetic genealogy.

Ask the Experts with Megan Smolenyak Smolenyak – Hey, y’all, look who I’m going to be chatting with on June 18th! Diahan Southard – Your DNA Guide

Dr. John Philip Colletta Returns from Retirement to Help Students Memorialize Their Family History - Whoa! John Philip Colletta was the first person I took genealogy classes from (a multi-week course at the Smithsonian), and he still stands out. An outstanding researcher and gifted speaker. This is a great opportunity if you didn't get to see him before he retired!

"No Man Left Behind" is so much more than a slogan to me.

Shiny Object Ancestors: The Ones We Can't Resist - Have you had this experience?

Join Megan on:

In Search of Our Ancestors offers an inspirational look at the rewards of family history!

Hey, America, Your Roots Are Showing makes a great gift for history and genealogy buffs!

Who Do You Think You Are? If you enjoyed my companion book to the TV series, please tell a friend!

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