Monday, June 9, 2014

Monday Mailbox: Collect, Collect, and Collect

The Ancestry Insider's Monday MailboxDear Insider,

I heard Tom Jones speak at RootsTech2014 and I had the same "aha" moment. [See “Using Case Studies to Learn.”] And now you've reminded me that I was going to subscribe to get the NGS journal for just that reason - to learn from the case studies. I sure did enjoy him.  

He also said three things that future generations will not be able to have unless we do something about it right now. Our emphasis as genealogists and family historians should be to: 

1. Collect and harvest (and share) oral history from living relatives. The stories disappear in three generations.

2. Collect and harvest (and share) photos and artifacts. Scan, make copies, label, and add what you know about the pictures. 

3. Collect living people's DNA.  “Collect as much as you can afford,” he said.

I have resisted the whole DNA thing for years, but he made the case that really made me think about it.  And, I will report to you, last week when I went to visit my parents (ages 96 & 93) in Nebraska (I live in Utah), I had in tow 2 Ancestry DNA kits. Didn't think I was going to pull it off, my Mom really resisted the whole spitting thing, but I got them both and they are submitted.  Now, if I get the dreaded call tomorrow, I don't have to bop my head about not getting the DNA. Thank you Tom Jones!

Thanks again, Insider, for all the reporting (and making me think) that you do!

Signed,
Clytee Gold

Dear Clytee,

I’m sure Tom will be delighted to hear about the positive effects his lecture had on you. And what a great reminder to gather stories, photos, and DNA before it is too late. All too often, by the time we are bitten by the genealogy bug, it is already too late in many instances.

Thanks for sharing.

Signed,
The Ancestry Insider

 

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4 comments:

  1. You probably should have done the DNA testing with FTDNA - now that Ancestry will only have the autosomal DNA available! I get more out of FTDNA than even 23andMe - 23and Me did not give me the marker numbers !

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  2. I like using Ancestry for atDNA because of the way they use the submitted genealogies to match people up. I think Ancestry.com wants to concentrate their efforts on autosomal DNA testing so I think your choice is fine. I agree that everyone should test and wish my parents were alive to test, but my brother and I have tested. FTDNA link is: https://www.familytreedna.com/products.aspx FTDNA has their atDNA kits on sale $79.00.

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  3. Trying to cast my net as widely as possible, I've tested at 23andMe, FTDNA, and AncestryDNA. Each have their comparative advantages and disadvantages.

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