The Genetic Genealogist

The Evansville Courier & Press has a great article – “At 97, life is worth a big fuss: Six generations gathered at matriach’s birthday party” – which contains a picture of six generations of the Moore Family of Indiana.  The picture shows a newborn and 5 generations of her ancestors; her mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, great-great-grandfather, and great-great-great-grandmother!  It is truly amazing and I highly recommend clicking over to the article to see it.

My Mother’s Mother’s Mother’s Father’s Mother (whew!)

The picture led me to wonder who was my mother’s mother’s mother’s father’s mother (following the same lineage in the article’s picture), and whether I ever met her.  After consulting my family tree software (maybe I could have done it from memory, but I thought I’d save some time!), I discovered that her name was Jemima Cooper.  I never had the opportunity to meet Jemima because she died 53 years before my birth.  She would be 118 years old today.

Then I wondered how many of my other relatives in this generation I had met.  Unfortunately I never met any of my 32 great-great-great-grandparents since the last one died in 1940 (over 35 years before I was born).  Likewise, I never met any of my 16 great-great-grandparents, although I missed the death of the last one by just 13 years.

Of the 3 great-grandparents who were alive when I was born, I met all 3 (born in 1889, 1906, and 1907).  Marley, born in 1889, died in 1983 and one of my earliest childhood memories is of meeting her.

Who Do You Remember?

Did you know any of your great-great-great-grandparents?  Great-great-grandparents?  Who is the oldest relative you remember meeting?

Article via Thomas MacEntee.

In a video available through CNBC, Linda Avey sits down to talk with Healthy Horizons about 23andMe.  The short video was originally aired today (7/24/09).

Ancestry Magazine has a new article by Megan Smolenyak about the use of Y-DNA testing to examine the origins of the Haley maternal line.

Chris Haley, nephew of Roots author Alex Haley, underwent Y-DNA testing.  After receiving the results which showed European origin (Haplogroup R1b), the results sat in the database for 18 months before a match was found.  Many of us have similar experience; our results are recorded and available but are waiting for the day we find a match.

Haley was lucky, however, and he was soon in contact with the family.  From the article:

Thomas [Baff, the individual that Haley tried to contact] turned out to be June Baff Black, Thomas’s daughter, who responded (she was thrilled!). June’s parents had researched the family back in the 1980s; June’s own involvement had started while watching an episode of Who Do You Think You Are? She’d been fascinated by Colin Jackson’s DNA test, ordered a test for her father, her Y-DNA stand-in, and mailed if off only a few weeks before hearing back from Chris.

This is just one example of the successes that the popular WDYTYA series has prompted.  I’ve heard a number of other stories about people gaining an appreciation for and interest in genealogy after watching the show.

The Ancestry Magazine article has much more about Chris Haley’s “reunion” with this family, and RootsTelevision has a video: “Haley-Baff Genetic Family Reunion.”

“I must admit that I have always been a bit embarrassed to admit that I cannot prove the origins of my own surname. I have been researching my family tree for more than thirty years and have found most of my ancestors back into the 1700s with quite a few families traced even further back. Yet there has always been one glaring exception: the origins of my EASTMAN ancestors.”

So begins this interesting article by Dick Eastman (of Eastman’s Online Genealogy Newsletter fame). Dick had researched the brick wall in his paternal line for years without much luck, but recently peered through the brick wall with the help of genetic genealogy.  The answer to his mystery was hiding in every cell of his body.

After learning of Dick’s brick wall, Katherine Hope Borges of ISOGG volunteered to start the Eastman DNA Project to help him and others learn more about the surname. Through that project, Dick learned that he is related to “the others who are known descendants of Roger Eastman, the 1638 immigrant.” Although the exact line of descent is unclear, he is now able to focus his research to save both time and money.

In addition to Dick’s article, Katherine has a write-up of the story at the Southern California Genealogical Society.

Posted via web from Blaine Bettinger’s Lifestream

I just received word that the genetic ancestry testing company Geogene has gone out of business. From the website:

1 OCTOBER 2008: We are very sorry to announce that, due to ongoing technical issues and increasing competition from National Geographic’s similar ‘Genographic Project’, GeoGene is unable to continue trading. If you are interested in finding out about your genetic ancestry, we recommend you use National Genographic’s service instead.

Posted via web from Blaine Bettinger’s Lifestream

In March I announced the unofficial launch of Pathway Genomics, a new company offering genome SNP tests (Note: I am a consultant for Pathway Genomics).  Today the company officially launched, and their press release is below.  There is also an article at Bio-IT World (“Pathway Genomics Joins the Direct-to-Consumer Genomics Parade”).

Press Release:

Pathway Genomics Brings Together Renowned Team of Entrepreneurs, Scientists, Physicians, and a Government Certified Lab to Offer Personal Genetics Services

San Diego, Calif., July 15, 2009—Pathway Genomics, a privately held, venture‐backed company, today announced its launch, including the company’s web site, www.pathway.com. Pathway Genomics offers affordable genetic tests for under $250, enabling consumers to confidentially learn about their risk for various diseases, adverse drug responses, carrier status, and ancestral history. Leveraging customized and highly innovative DNA genotyping technologies, Pathway Genomics generates the most extensive analysis of an individual’s risk for disease and can trace the path of a person’s maternal and paternal ancestry back more than 150,000 years.

Pathway Genomics is located in San Diego, California and is the only U.S. based direct‐to‐consumer DNA genotyping company with California and CLIA (Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments) certification for its wholly owned and operated onsite laboratory. By obtaining both state and federal approvals, Pathway Genomics’ quality standards ensure that genetic information delivered directly to the customer is highly confidential, accurate, and reliable.

“In addition to a strong team of scientists who have made cutting edge discoveries in genetic diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease and diabetes, we’ve brought together a seasoned group of entrepreneurs and marketing experts to launch Pathway Genomics,” said Jim Plante, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Pathway Genomics.

Pathway Genomics was founded by Mr. Plante, who brings over a decade of experience in technology and preventative health having founded four venture capital‐backed technology companies and launching more than 12 new product lines and services in the consumer products, automotive, wireless, and risk‐management service industries.

Pathway Genomics’ scientific team, consisting of top experts in molecular genetics, biostatistics, and genetic counselors is headed by David Becker, Ph.D., Chief Scientific Officer. Dr. Becker is most notably recognized for his contribution to Alzheimer’s research. While working at Torrey Pines Therapeutics, Dr. Becker’s team, in conjunction with Rudolph Tanzi, Ph.D., of Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School discovered and validated genes that contribute to the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease. This discovery was recently acknowledged by Time magazine as the #5 medical breakthrough in 2008.

“Evaluating an individual’s genetic profile is important, but it only reveals part of a person’s health and wellness. The overall picture should also include information about a person’s family history and lifestyle,” said Dr. Becker. “For this reason, we want our consumers to take control of their health by identifying areas in their life that they could change to reduce their risk for developing diseases.” The Founders Fund, Edelson Technology Partners, and Western Technology

Investment provided principle funding for Pathway Genomics. The Founders Fund has invested in a number of high‐tech companies including Facebook, SpaceX, and Quantcast, Edelson Technology Partners has invested in well‐known multinational corporations including Websense and Celgene, and Western Technology Investment has recently invested in PEAK Surgical and EnteroMedics.

Additional information about Pathway Genomics, including a list of diseases, drug responses, and ancestral haplogroups tested using Pathway Genomics’ health and ancestry kits, plus sample reports and step‐by‐step ordering instructions can be found at www.Pathway.com. For the first 500 people to log on to the site, order a kit, and enter the code MYPATH a 15% discount will be applied to the total order.

About Pathway Genomics

Located in San Diego, California, Pathway Genomics is a privately‐held, venture‐backed company that offers affordable, personal DNA genotyping tests for less than $250. As the only U.S. based direct‐to consumer genetic testing company to receive both California and federal Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments) CLIA for its wholly owned and operated onsite laboratory, consumers can access health and ancestry tests to learn about their disease risks, adverse drug responses, disease carrier status, or ancestral history. More information about Pathway Genomics can be obtained by visiting www.Pathway.com.

Image via Wikipedia

There is an article in yesterday’s Greenwich Times entitled “Woman out to prove kinship to Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz” about Cassandria Carlson, a woman from Schaumburg, Ill. who believes she is the granddaughter of Lucille Ball.

According to Carlson, her mother was born to Lucille Ball in 1947 and was then put up for adoption “because her very existence would have interfered with Ball’s career.”  Among her evidence, Carlson cites a 1946 newspaper clipping which described Ball as pregnant as well as her mother Madeline Jane Dee’s memories of a red-headed woman named “Mrs. Morton” bringing her to the playground as a child (Ball’s second married was to a Gary Morton).  Unfortunately, Ms. Dee died just a few years ago.

Ball had two confirmed children: Lucie Desiree Arnaz and Desi Arnaz, Jr.  Julia Arnaz, the daughter of Desi Arnaz, Jr., originally agreed to provide DNA to determine whether she and Carlson are first cousins, she later rescinded the offer.  Arnaz has said that she would consider providing DNA if there were “more proof” of the potential relationship.

Obtaining More Proof Through mtDNA

Luckily for Ms. Carlson, she would possess Lucille Ball’s mtDNA if she is in fact her descendant.  This is because, of course, mtDNA is passed down from mother to daughter.  So the mtDNA would have passed from Ball to Madeline Jane Dee to Cassandria Carlson.  Although Julia Arnaz and Carlson would likely share some DNA if they are in fact related, they would NOT share mtDNA because Arnaz would have inherited her mtDNA from her mother (whose name I don’t know).  However, Carlson CAN compare her mtDNA to another of Lucille Ball’s maternal relatives by working backward through Ball’s maternal family tree.

Below is a quick outline of the path Lucille Ball’s mtDNA took through 5 generations from her great-great-grandmother to herself (that is, from mother to daughter, mother to daughter, down through 5 generations):

1. Angeline (Greene) Sprague b. 1820 d. 1851 (4 female children: Ann Eliza b. 1841, Mary Jane b. 1842, Aureliea b. 1843, & Helen S. b. 1845)
2. Helen S. (Sprague) Orcutt b. 1845 d. 1884 (4 female children: Flora Belle b. 1867, Carrie b. 1871, Nellie b. 1872, & Lottie b. 1878)
3. Flora Belle (Orcutt) Hunt b. 1867 d. 1922 (2 female children: Desiree Evelyn b. 1892, Lola b. 1897)
4. Desiree Evelyn Hunt b. 1892 d. 1977
5. Lucille Desiree Ball b. 1911 d. 1989

In addition to this direct lineage, the mtDNA would have passed to the other daughters named in the tree, and down through the female descendants in that line.  So, for example, the mtDNA would have passed from Angeline (Greene) Sprague to Ball[s ancestor Helen S. Sprague, but it also would have passed to Helen’s sisters, who would in turn have passed it down to their daughters and so forth.  Thus, from the outline above, there are at least 6 people from the above tree whose lineage could be researched for potential mtDNA sources:

• Ann Eliza Sprague
• Mary Jane Sprague
• Aureliea Sprague
• Carrie Orcutt
• Nellie Orcutt
• Lottie Orcutt

Interpreting Results:

If Carlson’s mtDNA were to match the mtDNA of a modern-day descendant of one of the above 6 women, this would be very strong supporting evidence for her conclusion.  A match would NOT prove the relationship! But armed with this information, Julia Arnaz might be convinced to undergo further testing.

If Carlson’s mtDNA did NOT match one of the modern-day descendants of the above 6 women, I would recommend attempting to find another descendant to test (preferably from another one of the 6) because unknown breaks in the line can occur although it will arguably be less common for maternal descent.  If two or three tests suggest there is no match, this might be suggestive that there is NOT a relationship, but again it is not conclusive.

The moral of this story is to always keep genetic genealogy in mind when attempting to prove a genetic relationship between two people!

Notes:

Sources of Genealogical Information: Genealogy.com Famous Folks Family Tree & WorldConnect (I know these are not verified or even the best sources, but the information was provided for illustrative purposes only).

[PLEASE NOTE:  The Onion is a satirical site meant for ENTERTAINMENT and social commentary purposes only.  The following study is NOT real!]

The Onion, an infamous mock news site has a (surprisingly intelligent) article today entitled “7 Million People Direct Descendants Of Single Smooth-Talking Ancestor” about a “study” that has found that millions of people around the world have a genetic marker that links them to “a single smooth-talking common ancestor.”

Randy Seaver of Genea-Musings brings the article to my attention (thank you Randy!):

The headline screams “7 Million People Direct Descendants of Smooth-Talking Ancestor” — see the article here in the Science and Technology section of The Onion. It sounds right up the genetic genealogy alley, doesn’t it? Megan, Blaine, Emily – why haven’t you written about this guy? Are 7 million descendants not enough?

Gwilym of Many Conquests

According to the article, after analyzing 4,000 samples from around the world, the Baltimore, Md. researchers announce that “the lineage appears to have originated with a highly virile ninth-century Welsh nobleman known as Gwilym of Many Conquests”:

“This is one of the largest diasporas known to have descended from a single progenitor,” said head researcher Lawrence Ghilcrest, adding that DNA evidence now corroborates stories about the Welshman that historians once dismissed as myth. “To have propagated his genetic material so effectively, and across so much territory, we can only infer Gwilym was quite the charmer.”

The article is clearly a reflection of several recent studies suggesting a link between prevalent traits or genetic markers and an ancient “prolific” ancestor.  The most famous example is a study that found that 8% of men in a large region of Asia have an identical recent Y-chromosomal lineage and suggested that these men could all be descendants of Genghis Khan because he could have been a very “successful” progenitor (see the 2003 study here and a related news story: “Genghis Khan DNA test attracts hordes of takers“).  Although the study did not declare this was in fact the case, many anti-genetic genealogy sources have used the study’s suggestion (and companies’ use of the suggestion) to criticize genetic ancestry testing.

Are You a Descendant of Gwilym?

The article notes that you, too, can be tested for the smooth-talking gene:

News of these findings have prompted many to undergo testing to determine if they too might be descended from this celebrated medieval Lothario. Reginald Sperino, a 36-year-old Henderson, NV waterbed salesman who tested positive for the sequence, said he is proud to come from such a noble line of sweet-talkers.  “I always thought there was something special about me,” Sperino said. “I mean, what can I—hey, there, beautiful—what can I say? It’s nice to finally have an explanation for my je ne sais quoi.”

Note: to avoid any confusion, for those unfamiliar with the Onion please recognize that this is for ENTERTAINMENT purposes only.  It is not a real study!

Posted via web from Blaine Bettinger’s Lifestream

On July 8th, Ancestry.com hosted a webinar called “Genetic Genealogy Made Easy.”  The webinar is now posted and can be accessed at any time.  One great thing about a webinar is that it can be multimedia; indeed, this webinar uses both slides and video.

The presentation is pretty basic, but a good source of information for people who are new to genetic genealogy.  The following topics are covered, according to the site:

- DNA testing for genealogy works–in easy terms.
- To understand and apply your results to grow your tree.
- Ancestry.com DNA testing can continue to pay off for years.
- Women can benefit from a paternal lineage test.
- To use Ancestry.com DNA features: Groups, Transfer to Tree, and Ancient Ancestry.

Ancestry.com is planning more advanced genetic genealogy webinars in the future.

What is interesting is that the last question from the audience addressed by the webinar regards using genetic genealogy by adoptees.  Whenever I give presentations, I almost invariably receive this question in one form or another.  Seems to be a very common question.

A new blog called the Genomics Law Report went live today, promising to provide “news and analysis from the intersection of genomics, personalized medicine and the law.”  This blog will undoubtedly be a must for anyone interested in personal genetics.  Daniel MacArthur at Genetic Future has already provided a brief summary.

From the introductory post:

“…Robinson, Bradshaw & Hinson proudly announces the launch of the Genomics Law Report.  The Genomics Law Report focuses on the legal implications of important developments in the fields of genomics and personalized medicine — including key litigation, legislative, regulatory and policymaking activities — in order to facilitate understanding of the complicated and shifting legal landscape governing genomic and personalized medicine commerce and research.”