Saturday, May 15, 2010

Vice-President Bob Kroff welcomed all in attendance to the meeting and to our Presenter - Darlene Odenwalder, and made the following announcements:
1. Footnotes.com is offering free access to all historical newspapers at it's website.
2. The FamilySearch Community has many resources we should be aware of: FS Research Wiki - helps find resource information about a specific geographical area; where to best look for records in a specific time periods; information about records or archives that can be of help in your research, etc. http://wiki.familysearch.org/ FS Forums - help you find answers to any questions that you may have. http://forums.familysearch.org/ FS Beta and Pilot programs allow you to browse through the historical Record Collections compiled through the FamilySearch indexing program. http://pilot.familysearch.org/ and or http://fsbeta.familysearrch.org/
3. Bob again spoke about the tv program: "Who Do You Think You Are?"

Bob then introduced Darlene Odenwalder - Coordinator of DNA/Genetics for Ancestry.com:
Darlene has researched and studied genealogy for over 20 years, and has been teaching in-person genealogy classes in her local community. After two decades of corporate work, Darlene built a new career around what she loves -genealogy. She retired to St. George and now works from home for Ancestry.com. Prior to working for Ancestry.com DNA, Darlene was a Genetic Genealogist at Realative Genetics. As a counselor, she worked with individual customers to select the right DNA test for their unique genealogy goals.
Darlene currently travels and lectures on Genetic Genealogy. Her maternal ancient ancestral group is The Colonists, haplogroup H and her paternal ancient ancestral group is The Artisans, haplogroup R1b.
Darlene explained, that each person carries within them a DNA genetic marker. These markers can help tell if you are related to other people. We can discover our genetic genealogy and ancient ancestry with a DNA cheek-swab test through Ancestry.com
Darlene began her presentation by explaining to us Mitochondrial DNA (mtDna)
Your greatest of grandmothers finally share ancient family secrets. The DNA handed down from mother to child reveals the story of your maternal origins from 20,000 to 100,000 year ago.
Your father's father's father's father is just waiting to give you a hand with your family history. The DNA handed down from father to son through generations has gone unchanged over time.
Your MRCA (most recent common ancestor) is viewed through a mathematical equation to establish relationship.
DNA is simply: Another tool, like a census record: it doesn't lie: it does not replace paper records: however, non-paternal events happen...and this could help explain them.

Darlene's presentation was very interesting and gives us insight into just what DNA can be for each of us. Thank You!

We all appreciated the information given by Darlene. It was very informative and timely, and for some of us the way we should go to help breakdown our brick walls. Thank You Darlene!

Darlene has agreed to come back as a presenter in October and tell us of one of her favorite subjects, Searching Newspapers

Up-coming Saturday class schedule

Class Schedule
Saturday, June 19, 2010 - Board Member Max Turpin - How To Use Picassa - Picassa is a free photo program. Come and learn how to use this program and bring any questions you have along.

Saturday, July 17, 2010 - we are working on scheduling this class presentation.
August 2010 - no meeting is held in the month of August.
Saturday, September 18, 2010 - we are working on scheduling this class presentation.
Saturday, October 16, 2010 - Darlene Odenwalder of Ancestry.com will be presenting a class on newspapers. We all know what information is available to us on newsletters - come see learn what you may not know.
Saturday, November 20, 2010 - we are working on scheduling this class presentation

If you have a particular class presentation subject that you would like to see at one of our Saturday meetings, please give your suggestion to one of our Board Members at a Saturday meeting.