The Danko Surname Study

Posted on July 5, 2008 by Steve

I am pleased to announce the launch of the Danko Surname Study.

The Danko Surname Study is designed to study the relationships among those with the surname Danko and its variants.

The study is comprised of two projects:

The Danko Genealogy Project: a one-name study to document the genealogy of those with Danko ancestors; and
The Danko DNA Project: a Y-DNA study to analyze the genetic relationships of men with the Danko surname.

According to Kazimierz Rymut (Rymut, Kazimierz. 2003. Dictionary of surnames in current use in Poland at the beginning of the 21st century. Chicago, IL: Polish Genealogical Society of America.), in Poland at the beginning of the 21st century, the distribution of the Dańko surname and its variants included:

  • Danco – 1
  • Danko – 75
  • Dańka – 16
  • Dańko – 998

The surname distribution in Poland is shown on the following maps:

Distribution of the Danko Surname in Poland

Distribution of the Danko Surname in Poland

SOURCE: Mojkrewni, “Mapa nazwisk”, database, Mojkrewni.pl (http://www.moikrewni.pl/mapa/kompletny/danko.html : accessed 05 Jul 2008), user-defined report for “Danko”.

The Danko surname is most frequently found in the following locations in Poland:

  • Warszawa – 14
  • Sulęcin – 11
  • Słubice – 7
  • Sucha Beskidzka – 7
  • City of Kraków – 5
  • City of Wałbrzych – 5
  • Jelenia Góra – 5
  • Żywiec – 4
  • Strzelce Opolskie – 4
  • City of Bielsko-Biała – 4

 

Distribution of the Dańko Surname in Poland

Distribution of the Dańko Surname in Poland

SOURCE: Mojkrewni, “Mapa nazwisk”, database, Mojkrewni.pl (http://www.moikrewni.pl/mapa/kompletny/da%25C5%2584ko.html : accessed 05 Jul 2008), user-defined report for “Dańko”.

The Dańko surname is most frequently found in the following locations in Poland:

  • Przemyśl – 115
  • Sucha Beskidzka – 36
  • Brzozów – 36
  • City of Białystok – 35
  • City of Przemyśl – 33
  • Świdnik – 31
  • Sokółka – 28
  • City of Lublin – 27
  • Białystok – 26
  • City of Kraków – 26

My own Dańko ancestors were from Przemyśl, the area of Poland with the largest number of individuals with the Dańko surname . Przemyśl is the red are in the lower right corner of the map, above . 

In addition to Poland, the Danko surname occurs in significant numbers in Hungary. A total of 1300 individuals in Hungary bear the Danko surname or a related surname. Together, the following surnames represent the 185th most common in Hungary:

  • Danka
  • Danko
  • Dankó
  • Donka
  • Donko
  • Donkó

The surname also occurs frequently in countries bordering Poland and Hungary:

  • Czech Republic
  • Romania
  • Slovakia
  • Ukraine

The US Federal Census shows that, in 1930, individuals with the Danko surname resided in:

  • California
  • Connecticut
  • Georgia
  • Illinois
  • Indiana
  • Iowa
  • Maryland
  • Massachusetts
  • Michigan
  • Minnesota
  • New Jersey
  • New York
  • Ohio
  • Oklahoma
  • Pennsylvania
  • South Dakota
  • Virginia
  • Washington
  • West Virginia
  • Wisconsin

The US Federal Census for the year 2000 shows that 3422 individuals with the Danko surname were residing in the United States.

To participate in the Danko Genealogy Project, please contact me by email at stephen@stephendanko.com . To participate in the Danko DNA Project, please go to the Danko DNA Project webpage or contact me directly by email at stephen@stephendanko.com . Those who participate in the Danko DNA Project are entitled to discounted rates for DNA tests at Family Tree DNA.

Copyright © 2008 by Stephen J. Danko

Posted in Dańko | Tagged | 7 Comments

The Niedzialkowski Surname Study

Posted on July 4, 2008 by Steve

I am pleased to announce the launch of the Niedzialkowski Surname Study.

The Niedzialkowski Surname Study is designed to study the relationships among those with the surname Niedzialkowski and its variants.

The study is comprised of two projects:

  1. The Niedzialkowski Genealogy Project: a one-name study to document the genealogy of those with Niedzialkowski ancestors; and
  2. The Niedzialkowski DNA Project: a Y-DNA study to analyze the genetic relationships of men with the Niedzialkowski surname.

According to Kazimierz Rymut (Rymut, Kazimierz. 2003. Dictionary of surnames in current use in Poland at the beginning of the 21st century. Chicago, IL: Polish Genealogical Society of America.), in Poland at the beginning of the 21st century, the distribution of the Niedziałkowski surname and its variants included:

  • Niedzialkowska – 3
  • Niedzialkowski – 2
  • Niedziałkowska – 809
  • Niedziałkowski – 786

The surname distribution in Poland is shown on the following maps:

Distribution of the Niedzialkowska Surname in Poland

Distribution of the Niedziałkowska Surname in Poland

SOURCE: Mojkrewni, “Mapa nazwisk”, database, Mojkrewni.pl (http://www.moikrewni.pl/mapa/kompletny/niedzia%25C5%2582kowska.html : accessed 04 Jul 2008), user-defined report for “Niedziałkowska”.

The Niedziałkowska surname is most frequently found in the following locations in Poland:

  • Warszawa – 72
  • Lipno – 39
  • City of Włocławek -33
  • Ciechanów – 31
  • Aleksandrów Kujawski – 27
  • Płońsk – 24
  • Mińsk Mazowiecki – 20
  • Maków Mazowiecki – 19
  • Sierpc – 18
  • Przasnysz – 17

Distribution of the Niedzialkowski Surname in Poland

Distribution of the Niedziałkowski Surname in Poland

SOURCE: Mojkrewni, “Mapa nazwisk”, database, Mojkrewni.pl (http://www.moikrewni.pl/mapa/kompletny/niedzia%25C5%2582kowski.html : accessed 04 Jul 2008), user-defined report for “Niedziałkowski”.

The Niedziałkowski surname is most frequently found in the following locations in Poland:

  • Warszawa – 55
  • Ciechanów – 35
  • Lipno – 30
  • Płońsk – 27
  • Mińsk Mazowiecki – 24
  • City of Włocławek – 22
  • Aleksandrów Kujawski – 19
  • Przasnysz – 16
  • Pułtusk – 16
  • Szczecin – 16

In the United States, many immigrants with the Niedziałkowski surname modified or anglicized the name. Some of the variants include:

  • Niedzialkowski
  • Niedzialkowsky
  • Niedzialkoski
  • Niedzialkosky
  • Niedzial
  • Cosky
  • Sunday
  • Newman

The US Federal Census shows that, in 1930, individuals with the Niedzialkowski surname resided in:

  • Connecticut
  • Massachusetts
  • Michigan
  • Missouri
  • New Jersey
  • New York
  • Ohio
  • Pennsylvania
  • Wisconsin

To participate in the Niedzialkowski Genealogy Project, please contact me by email at stephen@stephendanko.com .

To participate in the Niedzialkowski DNA Project, please go to the Niedzialkowski DNA Project webpage or contact me directly by email at stephen@stephendanko.com . Those who participate in the Niedzialkowski DNA Project are entitled to discounted rates for DNA tests at Family Tree DNA.

Copyright © 2008 by Stephen J. Danko

Posted in Daily Journal | Tagged | 4 Comments

Geoff Rasmussen and Legacy Family Tree at the Southern California Genealogy Jamboree 2008

Posted on July 3, 2008 by Steve

In my effort to learn more about the various genealogy software packages currently on the market, I attended Geoff Rasmussen’s lecture “Overview of Legacy Family Tree 7” at the Southern California Genealogy Jamboree 2008.

Geoff Rasmussen at the Southern California Genealogy Jamboree 2008

Geoff Rasmussen at the Southern California Genealogy Jamboree 2008

SOURCE: Geoff Rasmussen at the Southern California Genealogy Jamboree 2008 (Burbank, Los Angeles Co., California). Photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 27 Jun 2008.

The lecture I attended was a basic introduction to Legacy Family Tree 2008 and included discussions of older features, features new to version 7, and features to be added in the future.

As with many other genealogy programs, Legacy Family Tree can calculate relationships between people in the database. However, Legacy can calculate non-blood relationships and additional relationships if two people are related in two or more ways. Legacy can also set bookmarks for specific individuals that appear as tabs at the bottom of the screen.

Legacy can check the entire database for errors in place names. Specifically, the USA County Verifier will check to see if the county included in a place name is correct for the time period.

The main screen of Legacy includes events of birth, christening, death, and burial, allowing the user to quickly enter christening and burial information at the same time the user adds birth and death information.

Legacy’s privacy settings allow the user to mark entries as private or as invisible on reports and exports.

The new Source Writer in Legacy will create source citations according to the standards in Elizabeth Shown Mills’ book Evidence Explained by guiding the user through a series of questions. Sources can be formatted as footnotes, endnotes, or bibliographies and are automatically created as the user types. Subsequent citations of a previously cited source are also properly created. Geoff explained that Legacy will be adding a utility to help the user convert existing source formats to current standards.

Legacy provides research guidance, suggesting sources for given events. The user can click “plan to search’ to add a source to the “to do” list.

For mapping locations, Legacy uses Microsoft Virtual Earth, allowing the user to see locations in a variety of views, including a “bird’s eye” view.

Legacy Family Tree can produce many types of books on the user’s desktop, and can include both maiden and married names in the index.

Legacy includes many charts including many new to version 7. Geoff mentioned DNA charts and “Males Only” charts as examples. In the charts, the user can move boxes around and add backgrounds. Printouts of charts can be ordered directly from within the program.

Geoff presented a second lecture on Saturday entitled “Legacy Family Tree: Why Even Professionals Use It”. Unfortunately, I was not able to hear his second lecture because it conflicted with another lecture I wanted to attend.

At present, I have not tried Legacy Family Tree 7. While Legacy offers a free version of its software, the free version does not include many of the features I would like to try out, including the new Source Writer, Wall Charts, and Mapping utilities.

Copyright © 2008 by Stephen J. Danko

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Bruce Buzbee and RootsMagic at the Southern California Genealogy Jamboree 2008

Posted on July 2, 2008 by Steve

One of my objectives at this year’s Southern California Genealogy Jamboree was to learn more about the various genealogy software packages on the market.

Bruce Buzbee, the founder and president of RootsMagic, Inc. and the author of the RootsMagic genealogy software, presented a lecture on “What’s New in RootsMagic 4”.

Bruce Buzbee at the Southen California Genealogy Jamboree 2008

Bruce Buzbee at the Southern California Genealogy Jamboree 2008

SOURCE: Bruce Buzbee at the Southern California Genealogy Jamboree 2008 (Burbank, Los Angeles Co., California). Photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 27 Jun 2008.

Bruce told the audience that RootsMagic version 4 would be ready to release later this year and, before release, there will be a public beta version of the program. RootsMagic 4 will be the biggest upgrade ever.

Because RootsMagic 4 is not yet ready, Bruce was cautious about discussing new features. He did, however, show how RootsMagic would interface with New FamilySearch. After users sign into New FamilySearch, they will be able to transfer information, including sources, back and forth between RootsMagic 4 and New FamilySearch.

Bruce also demonstrated several features already available in the current release of RootsMagic.

RootsMagic can import GEDCOM files, Family Origins database files, Family Origins backup files, PAF database files, and Family Tree Maker database files. One caveat, however, is that RootsMagic cannot directly import Family Tree Maker 2008 files.

The current version of RootsMagic can produce wall charts, lets the users move boxes to their preferred positions, edit text directly within in the boxes, set background pictures, and add pictures to individual boxes. Users can also print color wall charts up to 42 inches wide by up to 100 feet long through http://www.printmychart.com at prices much lower than those at local copy centers. Bruce demonstrated how to create custom charts in RootsMagic by cutting and pasting between charts.

RootsMagic’s Source Wizard guides the user step-by-step through the process of creating sources, a clear benefit to all users, even those with extensive experience in citing sources. Bruce explained that the source citations created by RootsMagic 3 conform to accepted standards.

Other features Bruce discussed include the ability to merge duplicate place names and the ability to universally correct place names for the entire database at once.

RootsMagic also interfaces with Microsoft Virtual Earth, enabling the user to use an online map to visualize places listed in the user’s database.

Later that same day, I stopped by the RootsMagic booth to meet Bruce. He gladly answered my questions and provided some additional insight into the workings of RootsMagic. Before I left the booth, I picked up a copy of RootsMagic 3 so I could see the program’s functionality for myself.

And, tonight, I installed RootsMagic 3 on my home computer.

At home, I use a SONY Vaio laptop with Intel Centrino Duo processor running Windows Vista. I was quite surprised at how quickly and effortlessly the installation was completed. I registered the software online and upgraded to the latest release, version 3.26.

Since I currently use Family Tree Maker 2008, I had to export my database of 10,000 individuals to a GEDCOM before importing into RootsMagic 3. By exporting to GEDCOM, I lost the images I had associated with my Family Tree Maker file, but I wasn’t particular concerned since I didn’t have many images, anyway. I imported the GEDCOM into RootsMagic, a process that took very little time at all.

I was finally ready to view my data. I thought that, with the relatively small size of the application, I might be disappointed with the functionality of the program. I couldn’t have been more wrong. RootsMagic is a full-featured application with a remarkably easy learning curve. I had no problem coming up to speed with RootsMagic in just a few minutes. RootsMagic comes with a video tutorial, and I’ll be sure to view it, but I didn’t need to watch the video or consult the manual in order to start working with RootsMagic.

The number and variety of reports is impressive as is the appearance of the reports. However, I almost immediately noticed that, in the Register Report, occupations were sometimes reported as places, and several facts were reported as “[need to define sentence]”. Happily, RootsMagic allows me to write my own sentence formats to report facts. This will certainly be a time saver since I currently spend an inordinate amount of time tweaking the wording in my reports.

Well, I’m very pleasantly surprised by my initial experience with RootsMagic 3 and, although I like Family Tree Maker 2008, the reporting and publishing capabilities of RootsMagic are tempting me to switch to RootsMagic as my primary genealogy database. Now, I can’t wait to see RootsMagic 4!

Copyright © 2008 by Stephen J. Danko

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Katarzyna Dańko: Veterinarian, Witch, and Exile

Posted on July 1, 2008 by Steve

My research indicates that Katarzyna Dańko is probably my second cousin, twice removed . She was born 10 Mar 1879 in Nienadowa, Galicia (Austria Poland), one of 14 children of Józef Dańko and Marianna Chruścicka.

Franciszek Tropilo and Katarzyna Danko Tropilo

Franciszek Tropiło and Katarzyna Dańko Tropiło

SOURCE: Franciszek Tropiło and Katarzyna Danko Tropilo (Galicia – Austria Poland). Photographed by unknown photographer in about 1915.

On 09 Feb 1898, shortly before her 19th birthday, Katarzyna married Jan Tropiło. While most couples living in that time and place had large families, Katarzyna and Jan had only one child of their own, a son named Franciszek, born on 21 Aug 1904 in Nienadowa. Still, circumstances and fate provided Katarzyna and her husband with a second child, a baby girl left abandoned in front of their house. Katarzyna and Jan named the child Marysia and raised her as their own.

The family moved to a farm in Packowice, Galicia (now located in Ukraine) where they raised cows, horses, pigs, chickens, geese, rye, wheat, beans, oats, corn, barley, potatoes, and beets on 13 mórgs of land (about 14.5 acres).

With a large number of animals on the farm, Katarzyna earned a reputation as a veterinarian, although a literal translation from the Polish is closer to “quack veterinarian”. She was thought to have supernatural powers and some considered her a witch. When passing her house with their carts, the local villagers would quicken their steps “just in case”. One story relates an incident when Katarzyna and her son Franciszek were on their way to mass at the local church. As they approached the church, they noticed a large group of people standing with their backs to them. Katarzyna whispered to her son, “Watch. They will all turn around and look at us now” . At that very moment, everyone turned around to look at the pair.

Katarzyna’s husband Jan died in Feb 1930 and Katarzyna continued to run the farm on her own.

On 17 Sep 1939, at the start of World War II, the Red Army entered Packowice and, in 1940, Soviet Soldiers entered Katarzyna’s home to arrest Katarzyna and Marysia for “exile in administrative mode”. No reason was given for their arrest, but the family believes they were exiled because they owned a large farm. The two were sent to Omsk Oblast in southwestern Siberia where they were left to fend for themselves.

Katarzyna, suffering both in mind and body, died in Siberia in 1941. She was buried on the steppes in a casket purchased with her daughter’s most important possession – an eiderdown quilt.

Written for the 51st Edition of the Carnival of Genealogy.

Copyright © 2008 by Stephen J. Danko

Posted in Dańko, Tropiło | Tagged , | 2 Comments

San Francisco Bay Area Genealogy Calendar – July 2008

Posted on June 30, 2008 by Steve
  • Tuesday, July 1, 2008 to Sunday, July 6, 2008 – 10:45 AM-8:00 PM
    Genealogy Booth at the Fair
    Alameda County Fair Grounds, 4501 Pleasanton Ave, Pleasanton
    Sponsored by the Livermore-Amador Genealogical Society
    *
  • Tuesday, July 1, 2008 – 10:00 AM
    SRVGS Board Meeting
    Sponsored by the San Ramon Valley Genealogical Society
    *
  • Thursday, July 3, 2008 – 1:00-4:00 PM
    Library Open to the Public
    Upstairs at the Vallejo Naval and Historical Museum, 734 Marin Street, Vallejo
    Sponsored by the Genealogy Society of Vallejo-Benicia
    *
  • Thursday, July 3, 2008 – 7:30 PM
    Dick Finn – Family Tree Maker Group
    Vineyard Adult Education Facility, 1401 Almond Avenue, Livermore
    Sponsored by the Livermore-Amador Genealogical Society
    *
  • Saturday, July 5, 2008 – 9:00 AM
    Beginners’ Breakfast
    Star Restaurant, 1700 Novato Boulevard, Novato
    Sponsored by the Marin County Genealogical Society
    *
  • Tuesday, July 8, 2008 – 9:30 AM-3:00 PM
    Book Repair Group
    California Genealogical Society and Library, 2201 Broadway, Suite LL2, Oakland
    Sponsored by the California Genealogical Society
    *
  • Wednesday, July 9, 2008 – 10:00 AM-3:30 PM
    Nora Hickey on Irish Ancestor Research
    Berkeley Yacht Club, 1 Seawall Dr, Berkeley
    Sponsored by the California Genealogical Society
    *
  • Tuesday, July 10, 2008
    Private Consultations with Nora Hickey on Irish Ancestor Research
    California Genealogical Society and Library, 2201 Broadway, Suite LL2, Oakland
    Sponsored by the California Genealogical Society
    *
  • Tuesday, July 10, 2008 – 7:30-9:00 PM
    Marcia Murray Holstrom – “Using Maps in Genealogy”
    Congregation Beth Emek, 3400 Nevada Court, Pleasanton
    Sponsored by the Livermore-Amador Genealogical Society
    *
  • Thursday, July 10, 2008 – 1:00-4:00 PM
    Library Open to the Public
    Upstairs at the Vallejo Naval and Historical Museum, 734 Marin Street, Vallejo
    Sponsored by the Genealogy Society of Vallejo-Benicia
    *
  • Thursday, July 10, 2008
    Beginner’s group field trip to the Federal Archives
    Contact Betty Heryford Cheshier 644-7584
    Sponsored by the Genealogy Society of Vallejo-Benicia
    *
  • Thursday, July 10, 2008 – 7:30 PM
    Membership Meeting
    LDS Church, 3700 Concord Blvd (just east of Farm Bureau Road), Concord
    Sponsored by the Contra Costa County Genealogical Society
    *
  • Friday, July 11, 2008 - 7:30 PM
    Marin County Genealogical Society Board Meeting
    Marin FHC, LDS Church, 220 North San Pedro Rd, San Rafael
    Sponsored by the Marin County Genealogical Society
    *
  • Saturday, July 12, 2008 – 10:00 AM-4:00 PM
    City Directory Library Open
    California Genealogical Society and Library, 2201 Broadway, Suite LL2, Oakland
    Sponsored by the California Genealogical Society
    *
  • Saturday, July 12, 2008 – 1:00-1:30 PM
    Membership Meeting
    California Genealogical Society and Library, 2201 Broadway, Suite LL2, Oakland
    Sponsored by the California Genealogical Society
    *
  • Saturday, July 12, 2008 – 1:30-2:30 PM
    Panel discussion with Jane Hufft, Nancy Peterson, and Lavinia (Vinnie) Schwarz – “Breaking Down Brick Walls”
    California Genealogical Society and Library, 2201 Broadway, Suite LL2, Oakland
    Sponsored by the California Genealogical Society
    *
  • Monday, July 14, 2008 - 9:45 AM
    Monday Morning Group
    Contact Sue at swindell@value.net
    Sponsored by the Contra Costa County Genealogical Society
    *
  • Tuesday, July 15, 2008 – 10:00 AM
    SRVGS Membership Meeting
    Danville Family History Center, 2949 Stone Valley Rd at Smith Rd, Alamo
    Sponsored by the San Ramon Valley Genealogical Society
    *
  • Tuesday, July 15, 2008 – 11:00 AM-12:00 PM
    Publications Committee Meeting
    California Genealogical Society and Library, 2201 Broadway, Suite LL2, Oakland
    Sponsored by the California Genealogical Society
    *
  • Tuesday, July 15, 2008 – 7:00 PM
    Kay Gutknecht – Publishing Genealogy Books
    Santa Clara City Central Park Library, 2635 Homestead Road, Santa Clara
    Sponsored by the Santa Clara County Historical & Genealogical Society
    *
  • Wednesday, July 16, 2008 – 1:00-2:30 PM
    CGS Board Meeting
    California Genealogical Society and Library, 2201 Broadway, Suite LL2, Oakland
    Sponsored by the California Genealogical Society
    *
  • Wednesday, July 16, 2008 – 1:00-3:00 PM
    Daytime Workshop
    Clubhouse, Country Squire Mobilodge, 5720 Oak Hill Dr (corner of Esquire Drive and Manitoba Avenue), Sacramento
    Sponsored by the Sacramento Genealogical Society
    *
  • Friday, July 18 2008 – 9:00 AM-1:00 PM
    Rose Mary Kennedy – “Federal Land Records”
    NARA-Pacific Region, 1000 Commodore Drive, San Bruno
    To register, call Rose Mary Kennedy at 650-238-3488 or email rosemary.kennedy@nara.gov
    Sponsored by NARA-Pacific Region
    *
  • Friday, July 18, 2008 – 10:00 AM-4:00 PM
    City Directory Library Open
    California Genealogical Society and Library, 2201 Broadway, Suite LL2, Oakland
    Sponsored by the California Genealogical Society
    *
  • Friday, July 18, 2008 – 1:15 PM
    Seminar Committee Meeting
    SMCGS Library, 125 Lessingia Court, San Mateo
    Sponsored by the San Mateo County Genealogical Society
    *
  • Saturday, July 19, 2008 – 10:30 AM
    Pamela Dallas – “Extra! Extra! Your Ancestors are in the Newspapers
    Silicon Valley Community Foundation, 1700 S. El Camino Real, San Mateo
    Sponsored by the San Mateo County Genealogical Society
    *
  • Saturday, July 19, 2008 – 12:30-1:30 PM
    Library Committee Meeting
    California Genealogical Society and Library, 2201 Broadway, Suite LL2, Oakland
    Sponsored by the California Genealogical Society
    *
  • Sunday, July 20, 2008 – 1:00 PM
    Schelley Talalay Dardashti – Gen-blogging: How to Do Effective Blogging Focusing on Genealogy
    Jewish Community High School, 1835 Ellis Street, San Francisco
    Sponsored by the San Francisco Bay Area Jewish Genealogical Society
    *
  • Wednesday, July 23, 2008 – 7:30 PM
    Ann Rutherford – “Am I Stuck?  If you think you’re stuck, you may be fishing with too small a net.”
    Marin FHC, LDS Church, 220 North San Pedro Rd, San Rafael
    Sponsored by the Marin County Genealogical Society
    *
  • Monday, July 28, 2008 – 5:00 PM
    RootsMagic Users Group
    SMCGS Library, 125 Lessingia Court, San Mateo
    Sponsored by the San Mateo County Genealogical Society
    *
  • Monday, July 28, 2008 – 7:00 PM
    SMCGS Board Meeting
    SMCGS Library, 125 Lessingia Court, San Mateo
    Sponsored by the San Mateo County Genealogical Society

Copyright © 2008 by Stephen J. Danko

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Megan Smolenyak at Jamboree

Posted on June 29, 2008 by Steve

While at Jamboree, I had the pleasure of participating in the Genealogy Blogger Summit with Megan Smolenyak and hearing her two presentations on DNA entitled Trace Your Roots with DNA and Beyond Y-DNA: Your Genetic Genealogy Options.

Megan Smolenyak and Steve Danko at Jamboree 2008

Megan Smolenyak and Steve Danko at Jamboree 2008

SOURCE: Megan Smolenyak and Steve Danko at Jamboree 2008 (Burbank, Los Angeles Co., California). Photographed by Marcy Brown 29 Jun 2008.

Megan defined genetic genealogy as DNA testing for the purpose of learning about one’s heritage and described it as a complement to traditional genealogy.

Of all the DNA tests available, the Y chromosome tests are the most popular. These tests include the test for short tandem repeats (STRs) and the test for single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) on the Y chromosome. The STR test looks for the number of times a particular DNA pattern is repeated at places on the Y chromosome called markers. The results of this test defines a man’s Y chromosomal haplotype.

Since only men have a Y chromosome, women can only participate in this test by proxy, meaning that women must find a male relative (father, brother, uncle, male cousin) to be tested in her place. The Y chromosome is passed on from father to son, and can be used to trace a man’s ancestry from his father’s father’s father’s father. Because the Y chromosome is inherited in this way, analysis of the Y chromosome can be used either to support or disprove relationships.

A second Y-DNA test examines SNPs, mutations in the DNA that are so rare that they are assumed to have occurred only once in human history. The result of SNP tests define a man’s Y chromosomal haplogroup. The haplotype, identified by STR analysis, can be used to predict the haplogroup, and the SNP test can be used to confirm the haplogroup and provide additional details about the haplogroup.

Although only men have a Y chromosome, both men and women have mitochondrial DNA which they inherited from their mothers. Although men have mitochondrial DNA, they do not pass it on to their children. Thus, analysis of the mitochondrial DNA provides a test for one’s mother’s mother’s mother’s mother. Because mitochondrial DNA changes very slowly, it is not quite as useful as Y-DNA to examine relationships among people. Nonetheless, mitochondrial DNA can still be used to support or disprove proposed relationships.

Other DNA tests available to both men and women include tests for ethnic and biogeographic origins. Some of these tests provide percentages of different geographical groups such as Indo-European, Sub-Saharan African, Native American, and East Asian, while others are designed to provide details about African and Native American ancestries.

Still other DNA tests can provide information about inherited medical conditions and physical traits.

Megan pointed out that those who participate in DNA tests often have a specific purpose in mind. Some wish to learn if two people have common origins, while others may wish to uncover connections that paper trails can’t. DNA analysis can help solve personal history mysteries, including cases of uncertain parentage.

Copyright © 2008 by Stephen J. Danko

Posted in Daily Journal | Tagged , | 1 Comment

From the Genealogy Blogger Summit at Jamboree

Posted on June 28, 2008 by Steve

I haven’t had a spare moment at Jamboree, but I wanted to post this photo taken at the Genealogy Blogger Summit.

Genealogy Bloggers at Jamboree 2008

Some of the Genealogy Bloggers at Jamboree

SOURCE: Some of the Genealogy Bloggers at Jamboree (Burbank, Los Angeles Co., California). Photographed by Linda Seaver 28 Jun 2008.

Linda Seaver was kind enough to take photos of this group of genealogy bloggers including: seated, from left: Kathryn Doyle, Dick Eastman, George Morgan, Steve Danko; standing, from left: Leland Meitzler, Schelly Talalay Dardashti, Randy Seaver, Craig Manson, and Elizabeth O’Neal. Other genelaogy bloggers were in attendance but, unfortunately, weren’t present for this photo.

The Genealogy Blogger Summit was great fun with Leland Meitzler hosting bloggers Megan Smolenyak Smolenyak, George Morgan, Steve Danko, Schelly Talalay Dardashti, and Randy Seaver. Leland skillfully kept the discussion moving for over an hour and a half and then opened the discussion to questions from the audience.

As you may have already heard, audience member (and author of Little Bytes of Life) Elizabeth O’Neal stole the show by moblogging from her cell phone and posting the first picture from the summit, LIVE!

Thanks to Paula Hinkel of the Southern California Genealogical Society for organizing this great event.

Copyright © 2008 by Stephen J. Danko

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Water-Lilies at Filoli

Posted on June 27, 2008 by Steve

On Thursday, I stopped by Filoli to photograph the June-flowing plants in the gardens and found to my delight that the water-lilies had begun to bloom. I’ll be heading to Burbank today to attend the Southern California Genealogy Jamboree. I hope to see you there!

Water Lilies (Nymphaea) Red

Red Water-Lilies (Nymphaea)

SOURCE: Red Water-Lilies (Nymphaea) (Woodside, San Mateo Co., California). Photographed by Stephen J. Danko 26 Jun 2008.

Water Lily (Nymphaea) White

White Water-Lily (Nymphaea)

SOURCE: White Water-Lily (Nymphaea) (Woodside, San Mateo Co., California). Photographed by Stephen J. Danko 26 Jun 2008.

Water Lily (Nymphaea) Bud

Water-Lily Bud (Nymphaea)

SOURCE: Water-Lily Bud (Nymphaea) (Woodside, San Mateo Co., California). Photographed by Stephen J. Danko 26 Jun 2008.

Water Lilies (Nymphaea) White

White Water-Lilies (Nymphaea)

SOURCE: White Water-Lilies (Nymphaea) (Woodside, San Mateo Co., California). Photographed by Stephen J. Danko 26 Jun 2008.

Copyright © 2008 by Stephen J. Danko

Posted in Daily Journal | Tagged | 5 Comments

The Birth and Baptism of Joseph Fortin – 1664

Posted on June 26, 2008 by Steve

On 15 May 1664, Joseph Fortin, son of Julien Fortin-Bellefontaine and Genevií¨ve Gamache, was born. On 20 May 1664, he was baptized in the Church of Nôtre Dame de la Visitation in Chí¢teau Richer, Canada, New France.

The Birth and Baptismal Record of Joseph Fortin - 1664

The Birth and Baptismal Record of Joseph Fortin – 1664

SOURCE: Gabriel Drouin, comp. Drouin Collection. Montréal, Québec, Canada : Institut Généalogique Drouin. Nôtre Dame de la Visitation, Chí¢teau Richer, Canada, New France, 1664. Birth and Baptismal Record of Joseph Fortin, page 26.

Click on the image above to enlarge it. Click on the link for a PDF copy of the Birth and Baptismal Record of Joseph Fortin. The record reads:

Joseph Fortin

Joseph, son of Julien Fortin and Genevií¨ve
Gamache was born on the fifteenth day of the month
of May and was baptized on the twentieth of
the present month, the Godfather was Pierre Marcou
and the Godmother was Louise Gagnier.

                    Th[omas] Morel, missionary priest

This record can be found as image 27/727 in the Quebec Vital and Church Records (Drouin Collection), 1621-1967 on Ancestry.com in the records for Chí¢teau Richer 1661-1702. The record appears on page 26.

Copyright © 2008 by Stephen J. Danko

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