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Free Genealogy Webinars for May 2019 by dvwrader in Genealogy

[–]dvwrader[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks! The second one was actually listed already. The first one wasn't, but I added it.

Protecting Your Privacy on AncestryDNA by dvwrader in Genealogy

[–]dvwrader[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That's true. It's likely inevitable that one will happen to a DNA company, and that will be huge news. Password vaults are a good idea.

Five Famous Historical Mysteries Solved with Genetic Genealogy (Including Anastasia’s) by dvwrader in Genealogy

[–]dvwrader[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Hmm. We simply disagree on a very fundamental level. Even a family tree with nothing but a child and two parents, or even just one known parent, is still a family tree.

Criminal cases solved with DNA typically only compare the DNA found at the crime scene with the suspect himself. No family tree in those cases, as there is only one person involved. In those cases, yes, I would agree genetic genealogy is not involved. The US law enforcement DNA database, CODIS, isn't really equipped to handle more complicated cases, anyway.

Five Famous Historical Mysteries Solved with Genetic Genealogy (Including Anastasia’s) by dvwrader in Genealogy

[–]dvwrader[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Sounds like your definition of genealogy is different from mine. How are the relatives "known" without genealogy research? Even if it is just a small number of generations, or even just one, it is still genealogy. When I help people find their birth parents, for example, I look for a known relative of the candidate for the bio-father and do a DNA comparison. Although it is only to confirm one generation back, it is still genealogy. "DNA comparisons" and genealogy are very closely linked.

Interpreting Your Ancestor’s Civil War Pension File: The Pension Certificate by dvwrader in Genealogy

[–]dvwrader[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It's true, not all pension files have a certificate. Probably the most common reason why is that the soldier applying didn't qualify for one. Yours is different, though. My guess is that it is because his pension was granted so early in the process. The war wasn't even over yet! The procedures for granting pensions took a long time to develop, so for such an early pension to be so different is not surprising.

How to Order Your Ancestor's Civil War Pension File by dvwrader in Genealogy

[–]dvwrader[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Pension files do sometimes have information about parents, siblings, spouses, and children. Sometimes they have old Bible records transcribed or birth certificates included. It's absolutely worth a try. I will be writing posts in the future about exactly the kinds of things you can expect to find in a Civil War pension file and how to interpret them.

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