Monday, 30 September 2013

Prize Draw Winner !

Congratulations to Ms Guy from Cork - she is the winner of our first Prize Draw for a Free DNA Test to be given out at the FTDNA stand at Back to Our Past. 

Well done, Cork !!


If you are attending the event, be sure to enter for a chance of winning. The next Prize Draw will take place at 12 noon on Monday October 7th. Good luck!


Wednesday, 18 September 2013

Ask a question on our Facebook page

We've just set up a Facebook group to make it easier for you to ask your questions about DNA and how it can help with your own family tree research. The group is open to the general public and anyone can join.

The aim of this group is simple - to encourage people living in Ireland today to have a DNA test.


Six million people live in Ireland today and they hold in their DNA the answer that the 70 million people of the Irish diaspora are asking: where did my Irish ancestors come from?

DNA can be a very powerful tool indeed. It can confirm relationships you didn't know existed, it can break through the Brick Walls you hit in your own research, it can take your family tree back beyond 1800, it can even tell you to what Irish Clan you probably belonged.

And this is only the beginning for DNA - the science is moving so fast that the scientists are running to keep up. And that's where you come in ...

The more people living in Ireland who get tested, the more we will find out about our unique genetic heritage.

An army of genetic genealogists have volunteered to help. Giving of their own time, they have set up DNA projects to help you find out more about your genetic signature, discover the origins of your surname, and connect you with cousins you never knew you had. So help is out there and all you have to do is have a DNA test.

So get tested today!

The greatest book of Irish history is written in your DNA.

Any questions?
Are you living in Ireland? Do you have a question about DNA, and how it can help out with your family tree? Then join the Facebook group, post your queries, and get your answers.

There is a huge community of genetic genealogists, both at home and abroad, who are passionate about their calling and enthusiastic about helping. There are many experienced genetic genealogists with Irish expertise and you can benefit from their wisdom and passion simply by joining the group and asking a question. Someone is bound to know the answer!

If you are completely new to DNA testing and how it can help you, our introduction to DNA testing should help answer a few questions. And if you have further queries, then simply post them on our Facebook page. 

You should also check out our new resources page which lists many free online resources that can help you with your research. You may find some that you were not aware of.

Want to have a DNA test?
Are you coming to the Back to Our Past event in October? If so, be sure to visit the FTDNA stand where you can get DNA tests at discounted prices.

And for some lucky people, a Free DNA Test is just around the corner. We're giving some away in the run-up to the Back to Our Past exhibition, and for other people there are free sponsored tests if you have a certain surname - check out the Free DNA Tests page for more details.

The more Irish people who test, the more we learn of our unique genetic heritage.

Dr James Watson unveiling a DNA sculpture
in Dublin's Botanic Gardens (April 2013)





Monday, 9 September 2013

Katherine Borges - The Irish-American DNA Connection

Name - Katherine Borges

Member - I am a member of Southern California Genealogical Society, Daughters of the American Revolution, and Colonial Dames of the XVII Century.

Day Job(s) - Director of ISOGG, President of the Salida Chamber of Commerce

Night Job - I co-founded and became Director of the International Society of Genetic Genealogy (ISOGG), which promotes and educates about genetic genealogy to over 8,000 members in 70 countries. We work to increase professional standards in the practice, research, and discussion of relevant issues in DNA testing, interpretation, and ethics. I now give many presentations on genetic genealogy to groups across the United States and the United Kingdom, as well as administering several surname, regional, and haplogroup DNA projects.

How did you get into genealogy?

I started doing genealogy in 2000 after the passing of my last grandparent. I realized that if I didn't start doing genealogy now, a lot would be lost.

What about your involvement with genetic genealogy?

I learned about genetic genealogy from a speaker at a Daughters of the American Revolution meeting and became a DNA Project Administrator ten years ago this month! (Oct).

So what will you be talking about?

On Friday, I'm going to be talking about the importance of American DNA (and in particular Irish-American DNA) to the Irish public and how it can help you in your own family tree research. And then on Sunday, I'll be discussing the basics of DNA testing and helping people understand what test might be best for them to take.

Where can people get more information about you or your topic?
  • Everyone should join ISOGG - there is loads of support and a dedicated community of genetic genealogists just waiting to help you
  • The ISOGG wiki is a great place to get up-to-date information about the latest to do with DNA and DNA testing
  • One of the projects I administer is the Ireland mitochondrial DNA project

Watch Katherine's presentations here.




Katherine Borges - The basics of DNA testing
Published on 20 Oct 2013
As the Director of ISOGG, Katherine has been heavily engaged in genetic genealogy practically since the birth of this new science. Here she discusses the basics of DNA testing generating a battery of incisive questioning from her Irish audience.

Presented at Genetic Genealogy Ireland 2013 on Sunday 20th Oct 2013. Please note that these GGI2013 videos are copyrighted to the presenter and should only be used for personal study. They are not to be used for any other purpose without the presenters express permission. Also, please note that because this is a rapidly advancing field, the content may quickly become outdated.




Katherine Borges - The Irish American DNA Connection
Published on 30 Oct 2013

Here Katherine discusses how Irish-American DNA can help break through the Brick Walls in the family trees of Irish people researching in Ireland today.

Presented at Genetic Genealogy Ireland 2013 on Friday 18th Oct 2013. Please note that these GGI2013 videos are copyrighted to the presenter and should only be used for personal study. They are not to be used for any other purpose without the presenters express permission. Also, please note that because this is a rapidly advancing field, the content may quickly become outdated.


These lectures were sponsored by FamilyTreeDNA and organised by ISOGG (International Society of Genetic Genealogy).




Tuesday, 3 September 2013

Prof Dan Bradley - Speaker Profile

Presentation - Prehistoric genomics at the Atlantic Edge

Affiliation - Professor of Genetics, Trinity College Dublin (TCD)

Membership 
  • Member of International Society of Animal Genetics 
  • Member of the Royal Irish Academy
  • Five times juror in the European Contest for Young Scientists 
  • Fellow of Trinity College Dublin

Position - Dan holds a Personal Chair in the Smurfit Institute of Genetics, Trinity College Dublin, and has written or co-authored over 110 publications including many in premier journals (e.g. Science, PNAS, Nature) – see Publications below.

Involvement with genetic genealogy?
Dan has researched in the following areas: 
  • Y chromosome diversity, Irish medeival genealogies, and the genetic architecture of Irish surnames
  • Irish human population structure
  • Ancient DNA
  • Detection of signatures of selection in human, bovine, salmon and chicken genomes
  • Origins of livestock as discerned using genetic diversity
  • Genetic basis of disease resistance in cattle

So what will be the topic of the presentation at GGI2017?
It is now known from ancient genomic investigation that massive migrations were part of cultural transitions in European prehistory. It is interesting to discover if Ireland and Portugal underwent these massive migrations. This lecture explores the evidence for such migrations and discusses the implications of the results for understanding the origins of modern populations and the languages they speak.

This year, the four lectures on Friday afternoon (including Dan's lecture) were made possible by the kind support of CITIGEN, a HERA Project. CITIGEN is an international collaborative research project that looks at the uses of modern and ancient genomic data in shaping public understandings of the past and our individual and collective identities.

Previous presentations
Each year since the inception of Genetic Genealogy Ireland, Dan has spoken about the ground-breaking work of his lab on ancient genomes and the relevance of the research to anthropology, genetic genealogy, & the study of disease.

Many ancient Irish skeletons are currently undergoing ancient DNA analysis. They vary in age and some are up to 6000 years old. 2016 saw the publication of the first of several papers reporting on the analysis of four such skeletons which were found in Rathlin Island and Ballynahatty. Further research is ongoing and Dan returns annually to GGI to give us an update on his team's research.

Where can people get more information?
For more information just click on the links below:

Publications relevant to genetic genealogy - 
  • Busby GB, et al. The peopling of Europe and the cautionary tale of Y chromosome lineage R-M269. Proc Biol Sci. 2011 Aug 24. [Epub ahead of print]. PMID:21865258Direct link
  • Tong P, et al. Sequencing and analysis of an Irish human genome Genome Biol. 2010 Sep 7;11(9) PMID: 20822512.
  • Mattiangeli V, McEvoy B, Bradley DG. Irish genetic affinities : the mosaic genome.Ir Nat J Spec Suppl. 2008; pg127-133.
  • McEvoy B, Simms K, Bradley DG. Genetic investigation of the patrilineal kinship structure of early medieval Ireland. Am J Phys Anthropol. 2008 Aug;136(4):415-22. Epub 2008 Mar 18. PMID: 18350585
  • Bauchet M, et al. Measuring European population stratification with microarray genotype data. Am J Hum Genet. 2007 May;80(5):948-56. Epub 2007 Mar 22. PMID: 17436249
  • Norton HL, et al. Genetic evidence for the convergent evolution of light skin in Europeans and East Asians. Mol Biol Evol. 2007 Mar;24(3):710-22. Epub 2006 Dec 20. PMID: 17182896
  • McEvoy B, Brady C, Moore LT, Bradley DG. The scale and nature of Viking settlement in Ireland from Y-chromosome admixture analysis. Eur J Hum Genet. 2006 Dec;14(12):1228-94. Epub 2006 Sep 6. PMID: 16957681
  • Mattiangeli V, Ryan AW, McManus R, Bradley DG. A genome-wide approach to identify genetic loci with a signature of natural selection in the Irish population.Genome Biol. 2006;7(8):R74. Epub 2006 Aug 11. PMID: 16904005
  • McEvoy B, Bradley DG. Y-chromosomes and the extent of patrilineal ancestry in Irish surnames. Hum Genet. 2006 Mar;119(1-2):212-9. Epub 2006 Jan 12. PMID: 16408222
  • Moore LT, McEvoy B, Cape E, Simms K, Bradley DG. A y-chromosome signature of hegemony in gaelic ireland. Am J Hum Genet. 2006 Feb;78(2):334-8. Epub 2005 Dec 8. PMID: 16358217
  • McEvoy B, Richards M, Forster P, Bradley DG. The Longue Duree of genetic ancestry: multiple genetic marker systems and Celtic origins on the Atlantic facade of Europe. Am J Hum Genet. 2004 Oct;75(4):693-702. Epub 2004 Aug 12.PMID: 15309688
  • Edwards CJ, Connellan J, Wallace PF, Park SD, McCormick FM, Olsaker I, Eythorsdottir E, MacHugh DE, Bailey JF, Bradley DG. Feasibility and utility of microsatellite markers in archaeological cattle remains from a Viking Age settlement in Dublin. Anim Genet. 2003 Dec;34(6):410-6. PMID: 14687070
  • Hill EW, Jobling MA, Bradley DG. Y-chromosome variation and Irish origins.Nature. 2000 Mar 23;404(6776):351-2. PMID: 10746711
  • Rosser ZH, et al. Y-Chromosomal Diversity in Europe Is Clinal and Influenced Primarily by Geography, Rather than by Language. Am J Hum Genet. 2000 Dec;67(6):1526-1543. PMID: 11078479
  • Helgason A, et al. Estimating Scandinavian and Gaelic ancestry in the male settlers of Iceland. Am J Hum Genet. 2000 Sep;67(3):697-717. PMID: 10931763

Publications from the unit at TCD - http://www.gen.tcd.ie/molpopgen/publications.php

The lectures were sponsored by FamilyTreeDNA and organised by ISOGG (International Society of Genetic Genealogy).




Thursday, 8 August 2013

Elizabeth O'Donoghue/Ross - Speaker Profile


Name - Elizabeth O'Donoghue/Ross, BA

Tell us about yourself
You could describe me as the business manager/master printer/general factotum for my family of artists - Tighe O'Donoghue/Ross, Eoghan and D’Ana.  I am the Group Administrator of The O’Donoghue Society Y-DNA Project since April 2005, founder of the Munster Irish DNA Project with Nigel McCarthy and Finbar O Mahony in Jan 2012 (see Finbar's profile as well), founder of the R1b-CTS4466 Plus Haplogroup Project in Oct 2013, contributor to the Kerry Archaeological and Historical Society Kerry Magazine and Journal, The O’Donoghue Society Journal, the Irish Genealogical Society International Journal and occasional wolfhound breeder.

Member - ISOGG, The O’Donoghue Society, Kerry Archaeological and Historical Society, former Executive Director of Clans of Ireland

How did you get into genealogy?
I joined my husband in researching Irish and family history over forty years ago.  We returned to Ireland from the US with our family in 1986 and have continued that pursuit.  My own family have Welsh origins, emigrating to the US before the Civil War.

What about your involvement with genetic genealogy?
The O’Donoghue Society embarked upon a Y-DNA project in 2003, in which I became involved from the outset, accepting the role of Group Administrator two years later.  Researching the different tribes of O’Donoghues resulted in a particular focus on Munster, which is my husband’s heritage.  The understanding of any ofO’Donoghue history is inextricably entwined with the entire population of Munster,and I thought of formalizing a project devoted to increasing our knowledge of the genetic ancestry of this southern province.  Nigel McCarthy and Finbar O Mahony,whose families share a Munster Eóganacht heritage, agreed to join me and have helped make the project a fascinating study of ancient Irish heritage.  Initiating the R1b-CTS4466 Plus Project has expanded our understanding of the most populous haplotype found in the south of Ireland.

What will you be talking about?
The aims of the project and the discoveries to date:
  • How the project is organized
  • What genetic signatures are found in Munster
  • How they differ from the rest of the island
  • What relationships there are between the various Munster surnames
  • What clues there are of where these genetic signatures originated
  • How old they are
  • How they compare to the ancient genealogical tracts which identify the early surnames found in Munster
  • What next 
To what surnames is this topic relevant?
All native Irish surnames found in Munster – the full list is available at our website

Where can people get more information about you or your topic?
Just click on any of the links below:

What DNA tests will you be discussing?
Mainly Y-DNA

Download a pdf version of the slides - just click here

Watch the presentation by Elizabeth, Nigel and Finbar here.


The Munster Irish DNA Project and the Men of Munster -- Who Are They?

Published on 31 Oct 2013
We are privileged to have three people presenting on one of the most elegant Geographic DNA Projects at FTDNA. The Munster Irish is a project that explores the genetic signatures of the men of the south of Ireland, the relationships that exist between the various Munster surnames, and whether the DNA evidence refutes or confirms the ancient genealogies of Munster. Please enjoy the excellent company of Elizabeth O'Donoghue/Ross, Nigel McCarthy, and Finbar O Mahony.

Presented at Genetic Genealogy Ireland 2013 on Sunday 20th Oct 2013. Please note that these GGI2013 videos are copyrighted to the presenter and should only be used for personal study. They are not to be used for any other purpose without the presenters express permission. Also, please note that because this is a rapidly advancing field, the content may quickly become outdated.

The lectures were sponsored by FamilyTreeDNA and organised by ISOGG (International Society of Genetic Genealogy).



Wednesday, 7 August 2013

Debbie Kennett - Presentation 1) DNA for beginners: the three tests; and Presentation 2) Chromosomes, conquerors and castles: DNA testing and the Cruise/Cruse/Cruwys one-name study

Name - Debbie Kennett

Biographical details
I am a member of the Guild of One-Name Studies, the Society of Genealogists, the Association of Professional Genealogists, the Society of Authors and the International Society of Genetic Genealogy. 

I also belong to three local family history societies: the Berkshire Family History Society, the Devon Family History Society, and the Somerset and Dorset Family History Society.

I was appointed as an Honorary Research Associate in the Department of Genetics, Evolution and Environment at University College London in July 2013.

I am the author of two books, both published by the History Press:
- DNA and Social Networking (2011) (http://www.thehistorypress.co.uk/index.php/genealogy-books/family-history-dna.html)
- The Surnames Handbook (2012) (http://www.thehistorypress.co.uk/index.php/genealogy-books/the-surnames-handbook.html).

Day Job - My background is in publishing. I now work as a freelance editor, proofreader, genealogist and writer.

How did you get into genealogy?
I started my family history research in 2001 after the death of my father-in-law. We inherited a collection of family photos but were unable to put names to faces. I started writing letters and sending e-mails to relatives to ask for help with identification. I soon became addicted to genealogy. I’d been fascinated by my rare maiden name CRUWYS since childhood, and this interest gradually developed into a full-blown one-name study.

What about your involvement with genetic genealogy?
I first became involved in the world of genetic genealogy in 2007 when I launched my first DNA project – a Y-chromosome DNA project for the surnames Cruse, Cruise, Cruwys and associated variant spellings. I started the Devon DNA Project in March 2009. I joined the mtDNA Haplogroup U4 Project as a co-administrator in September 2009, and became the Group Administrator in 2013. In 2010 I founded the ISOGG Wiki in collaboration with Tom Hutchison, and continue to be a major contributor. The Wiki has now developed into a major educational resource for genetic genealogy.

So what will you be talking about?
I will be presenting two talks. My first talk will be aimed at beginners and will explain the three different types of DNA test that can be used as an aid to family history research: Y-DNA testing, mitochondrial DNA testing and autosomal DNA testing.

My second presentation will provide an overview of my CRUISE/CRUWYS/CRUSE one-name study and DNA Project. CRUISE/CRUYS is a Norman surname that first appeared in Ireland around the time of the Anglo-Norman invasion in 1169. The family were once powerful nobles with lands in County Meath and Dublin. The surname is still found at the greatest concentration in Dublin today. The related surname CRUWYS can be traced back to the small parish of Cruwys Morchard in North Devon in the twelfth century. The family have been Lords of the Manor continuously from the 1200s to the present day. I will show how Y-DNA testing can be used to explore whether or not different variant spellings are related and how it can fill in the gaps where the paper records have not survived.

What DNA tests will be discussed?
My first talk will cover all three of the main tests.
My second talk will focus on the Y-DNA test.

To what surnames is this topic relevant?
CRUISE, CRUWYS, CRUSE and all their variants (in my second talk).

Where can people get more information about you or your topic?


Download Debbie's slides here
- DNA for Beginners
- Chromosomes, Conquerors, & Castles: DNA testing and the Cruise/Cruse/Cruwys one-name study

Download Debbie's handout here - this gives a very useful list of resources.

Watch Debbie's presentations below.



DNA for beginners: the three tests
Published on 19 Oct 2013
Debbie discusses the basics of DNA testing and explains how each of the three main DNA tests work - Y-DNA, mitochondrial DNA and autosomal DNA.

Presented at Genetic Genealogy Ireland 2013 on Saturday 19th Oct 2013. Please note that these GGI2013 videos are copyrighted to the presenter and should only be used for personal study. They are not to be used for any other purpose without the presenters express permission. Also, please note that because this is a rapidly advancing field, the content may quickly become outdated.


CRUISE/CRUYS is a Norman surname that first appeared in Ireland around the time of the Anglo-Norman invasion in 1169. The family were once powerful nobles with lands in County Meath and Dublin. The surname is still found at the greatest concentration in Dublin today. The related surname CRUWYS can be traced back to the small parish of Cruwys Morchard in North Devon in the twelfth century. The family have been Lords of the Manor continuously from the 1200s to the present day. Debbie shows how Y-DNA testing can be used to explore whether or not different variant spellings are related and how it can fill in the gaps where the paper records have not survived.

Presented at Genetic Genealogy Ireland 2013 on Friday 18th Oct 2013. Please note that these GGI2013 videos are copyrighted to the presenter and should only be used for personal study. They are not to be used for any other purpose without the presenters express permission. Also, please note that because this is a rapidly advancing field, the content may quickly become outdated.

The lectures were sponsored by FamilyTreeDNA and organised by ISOGG (International Society of Genetic Genealogy).