Dr McDonald's DNA Analysis

     Yesterday I sent an email to Dr McDonald (jdmcdona@illinois.edu), a former professor at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. I found his information on a number of DNA message boards that recommended him as a source of admixture evaluation. I sent him my ftDNA family finder data and here's what I received in return:

"Most likely fit is 100% English (Western Europe)which is 100% total EuropeThe location error = 0.007091 with 1 group 

The following are possible populations,most likely at the top:

The following are possible population sets and their fractions,most likely at the topEnglish= 1.000 

but with a bit ( 0.3%) of Native American and 0.6% African.This are small but strong and likely real."

     I also received this chart, which looks practically identical to my 23andMe chart (I had sent in my ftDNA data, as they do not provide a chart like this). You can see the African and American segments. I think this analysis shows that these segments, found by two different tests, are not just "static." I suppose I should send in my parents' results to confirm which side of my family the segments come from.

"My Georgia Ancestors" Map

     I've been looking for a project for my wall, something that would showcase my ancestors on a map.  I wanted something that could be broken down and moved without too much fuss if necessary. I did a google image search yesterday for "genealogy map project" and found the perfect idea.  Today I created my own version of this idea using a map of Georgia pasted to a foam board. It's still a work in progress, but I'm really excited about it and wanted to post it. I'm also planning on doing one for South Carolina.

York and Oliver

______________________________________     Shiflet + Shiflet + Watson to Stowers deed     Elbert County GA }               Received of Francis G Stowers fifteen Hundred and thirty dollars cash in hand paid for two certain negro boys York and Oliver both about twenty three years of age sound in both body + mind sealed with our seals this 22nd Nov 1851. .                                                                                                           Powell (his X mark) Shiflett Attest: Wm M Dobbs                                                                           Martha C Shiflet James P Neal                                                                                       John G Watson Recorded the 22nd day of June 1852.

 

On The Move

     I've been a bit remiss not to have posted this sooner: you can now upload your 23andMe raw data to Family Tree DNA. You have until February 10th to get the introductory price of $50 (I'm guessing it will be $100 after that). I've transferred three files over and might do my final file, depending on the state of my finances on the 10th.


     So you can do it, but should you? Yes! If you've taken the 23andMe test and are interested in the ancestry features, this is a great chance to have your data analyzed by another company. And keep in mind that ftDNA is a company focused on genealogy, unlike 23andMe that has been focused on health.  They also have a database of (mostly) new-to-you cousins just waiting to be found.

     There are a few different ways to purchase this test, depending on which tests you've purchased in the past. If you already have an account with ftDNA but have not purchased their Family Finder test, log into your account and purchase it through your My ftDNA page.  If you have a V2 file from 23andMe, you will need to purchase the $50 transfer and a $100 DNA test. The V2 is an older file that cannot be added to ftDNA as is. If you have the V3 test from 23andMe, you can purchase the transfer. For the last two options you will upload your raw data file to ftDNA once you have completed your order.  For complete details, check out the FAQs at ftDNA.

     A final option for those who have not yet purchased a test: purchase a test from 23andMe and immediately go to ftDNA and purchase the transfer.  It'll be about 8 weeks until you can transfer the data, but that shouldn't matter.