Genealogy Goals

52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks: Week 52 (Dec 24-31)
Prompt: Me, Myself, and I
#52ancestors

  This past year I only had one post. I was concentrating on other things and made some progress in those areas. This final prompt for this year is Me, Myself, and I.  Taking that prompt in a different direction, I am starting this year with genealogy goals.  I thought I would share with you those goals. Some are carry over goals from last year and others are new.

 1.      Complete 52 Ancestors in 52 weeks.  That doesn’t mean that I will complete every prompt. I found at the beginning of last year that the prompts didn’t inspire me.  Probably because I couldn’t think of anything new to write about for those prompts. I just didn’t have the time or energy for creative thought. This year, when a prompt doesn’t bring anything to mind, I will write something else and/or do some very specific research that I can share.

 2.      Work on the McCarley Genealogy Book.  I have a basic layout for it and will work on a chapter specifically when I can think of nothing for the 52 Ancestors prompt. Maybe even share that chapter on the blog. 

 3.      Complete another DAR supplement.  I have one that was submitted in August 2022 that hasn’t been reviewed yet. I’m hoping to hear about it soon since DAR has instituted new processes that they are hoping will speed things along.

 4.      Finish putting together a new program for genealogy societies.  I can’t wait to share this one as it is new and unique. However, I still need just a little more research for it to be truly helpful for genealogists.

  Creating goals helps me focus and accomplish more.  Have you set your genealogy goals for this year?

DNA

52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks: Week   (April 23-29)

Prompt: DNA

#52ancestors

During the COVID shutdown, I decided to see if DNA could help me get past the "brick wall" in my husband's family history.  He used FTdna (FamilyTree) as it is the only genealogical DNA company that tests the Ydna.   Unfortunately, it hasn't helped so far.  It does seem to indicate that he is related to an Evans line in America but the documentation research is fairly iffy.  I suspect the connection is further back than what is listed in the ancestry trees.

 Even more disappointing is that when I tested, there is no Native American ethnicity in my DNA. I have documented Chickasaw ancestry, well sort of. My Uncle and Aunt have been tested now and no Native American ancestry for them either.  As you can read in one of my previous posts, the "sort of documentation" indicates my Native American ancestor would be either my 4th or 5th great grandmother. The court records are a little fuzzy and it is possible that one generation was left out in the case trying to prove Chickasaw ancestry.  If Nancy Frasier was my 4th Great Grandmother, I should be 1/32th Chickasaw. If she was my 5th Great Grandmother, I would be 1/64th Chickasaw.  Since DNA is not handed down 50/50, then it is possible that I didn't receive any of the dna from so far back.  Plus, my understanding is that ancestry.com nor any other dna company tests your complete dna. They only test parts of your dna.  It could still be hidden in me somewhere.

 I've seen a new company that is advertising that they can do a more complete dna analysis than 23andMe, ancestry.com, and FTdna.  However, I haven't seen any reviews or other information about their reliability.  More research is needed into this new company. Meanwhile, I still have hope, fading but still hope.