Part 926s – New Autosomal DNA Results – CRI Genetics

Good Day,

Well my results are in. That is, the results of my Autosomal DNA testing from CRI Genetics.

The breakdown provided by CRI Genetics fit into 5 main area categories. I've added the "Unassigned" area category to make sure that there is a sum total of 100%. These are

• European
• South Asian
• AdMixed American
• East Asian
• African
• Unassigned (to add up to 100%)

• 86.2%
• 6.5%
• 4.5%
• 1.7%
• 0.9%
• 0.2%

I have now had my Autosomal DNA testing done by the following companies. (These are not in any specific order.)

1. Family Tree DNA

2. Ancestry

3. 23andMe

4. Living DNA

5. My Heritage

6. National Geographic Geno 2.0

7. CRI Genetics

I have attempted to breakdown the results and tried to lump similar area categories together. As you can see from the Comparative Chart there are some similarities in test results, based on the way each company focuses with their testing procedures. But there are also some differences.

The International Society of Genetic Genealogy provides a very good company to company comparison for 4 of the organizations that provide Autosomal testing. The two (2) that are not included are Living DNA and CRI Genetics.

And as I have always said, genealogy is not necessarily only taking the details of one Autosomal DNA test. It is the search and research into the sources of documentation and family history that can lead one back into the resources of their ancestors.

Autosomal DNA testing is a tool that can assist. It is NOT the definite answer as to who you are descended from.

If you have any question about testing either your Y-DNA, mtDNA, or Autosomal DNA, please make sure that you research and decide which type of testing is the one that you should get. Do not be swayed by the slick advertisements.

If you have any comment, question, thought, idea please feel free to contact me via email at A Genealogy Hunt or jsmith58@gmail.com.

Regards,

Jim

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Part 923 - Autosomal DNA is NOT Necessarily Genealogy

Good Day,

I read a very good and concise article recently, posted at NJ.com dated November 2, 2018 by David Klein - "One genealogist's impressions of Ancestry DNA's testing service".

"First, based on what I know about my family, the ethnicity percentages are way off. Please notice I didn't say they were wrong; they might not be. I know that these figures are based on probability and subject to change, but my numbers are skewed more Irish (and British even though I don't know of any British ancestors) and less Italian than what I expected. Suffice it to say I'm more than a bit skeptical about these numbers."

I am a very strong proponent of DNA testing, for the purposes of genealogy. And I can say that I personally am not using DNA testing to find immediate relatives. I am more concerned in learning and discovering about my ancestry.

The corporate tendencies of the larger ancestry, albeit companies and their marketing schemes appear to be a consistent tendency to increase the firm's bottom line.

That being said, and as I volunteer to assist persons to delve into their pasts, I have tested my Y-DNA, mtDNA, and Autosomal DNA. My purpose, is to maintain a comparison of, especially Autosomal DNA results, and to keep abreast of the the plethora of companies in the market. Having tested with this many companies also assists me when helping someone with their family history search and research.

To date I have tested with Family Tree DNA; Ancestry; 23andMe; Living DNA; My Heritage; and National Geographic Geno 2.0. I am currently awaiting the results of CRIGenetics.

Here is a comparative schedule of my test results.

If you have any question about testing either your Y-DNA, mtDNA, or Autosomal DNA, please make sure that you research and decide which type of testing is the one that you should get. Do not be swayed by the slick advertisements.

If you have any comment, question, thought, idea please feel free to contact me via email at A Genealogy Hunt or jsmith58@gmail.com.

Regards,

Jim

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Part 918s - Autosomal DNA Testing - Is It Genealogy?

Good Day,

Following up to my Autosomal DNA comparison exercise, I, serendipitously, stumbled upon an article at the online magazine Vice. Please, understand that I am not trying “to trash” Autosomal DNA testing. I am just trying to point out that it has become an immature tangent of what one could consider is correct genealogy research.

Is it a tool? Yes. Is Autosomal DNA testing providing the answers to the pure science of genealogy and genetic research? In my humble opinion, again Autosomal DNA does not provide the complete and correct end to the questions of one’s genealogy, the study of family origins and history.

Does it provide possible answers to unknown connections and answers to unasked questions? Yes, maybe, and no.

The Vice article by Moses Monterroza, March 21, 2018, “I Tested My DNA and Learned About Self-Delusion”  

“Obviously, nothing actually changed. After all, these results are really just percentages vaguely indicating that I am associated with several specific regions on Earth. And really, that’s it. There’s no renewed sense of self, no reconnection with my past, just a bunch of percentage points.”

Take a few moments and read Monterroza’s article. He does present an interesting point of view.

And note, that genealogy is a formidable task of wading through reams and reams of papers and films. It is the searching for and the researching of those glimpses into the past of who and when your ancestors and ancient family existed. It is not necessarily a percentage or estimate provided by a corporation. A corporation and/or organization that is currently examining their bottom line and net return on subscription dues.

Just my opinion.

Regards,

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Part 917sb - Autosomal Tests Comparison

Good Day,

I've been asked a number of questions regarding the postings of my and Andy Brunhammer's Autosomal DNA results with respect of the various testing companies and organizations.

Why are there differences and varied numbers across the results?

The logical explanation(s) is that certain companies/organizations test only within certain and/or limited capabilities. In other words, some may not test for specific "ethnicities". Also there may be a void of the number of ethnic-specific results in their overall databases.

Does that mean your "lieder-hausen" should be traded in for a "kilt"? Or should your blue eyes mean you are "definitely" localized to a specific country?

As the results are not necessarily 100% absolute, if you should decide on getting an autosomal DNA test done, please remember that "family matches" may be implicit and should be realized with the necessary sources and documentation.

Regards,

Jim

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Part 916b - Brunhammer Autosomal DNA Tests - Comparison

Greetings,

If you are thinking about the autosomal DNA testing here are several tests completed. These are Andy Brunhammer's tests. Each includes the associated percentages as they apply to specific "ethnicity" labels.

The International Society of Genetic Genealogy Wiki is an excellent reference site. Check out the Autosomal DNA testing comparison chart link. (It does not include LivingDNA.)

https://isogg.org/wiki/Wiki_Welcome_Page

Regards,

Jim

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Part 915s - Smith Autosomal DNA Tests - Comparison

Greetings,

If you are thinking about the autosomal DNA testing here are several tests completed. These are my tests. Each includes the associated percentages as they apply to specific "ethnicity" labels.

The International Society of Genetic Genealogy Wiki is an excellent reference site. Check out the Autosomal DNA testing comparison chart link. (It does not include LivingDNA.)

https://isogg.org/wiki/Wiki_Welcome_Page

Regards,

Jim

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Part 914sr – Smith Robertson Genealogy – Another DNA 111 Marker Match

Good Day,

I just received news from Family Tree DNA that my Smith Y-DNA has another 111-Marker match. This time with a 9 Genetic Distance. The match is one John Faree Follis. This now makes that I have 8 relatively close 111 Y-DNA marker matches.

And the surnames of the individuals realizing the match are Fallis/Follis, Robinson, Seymour, and Ware. Not one Smith. 3 Fallis/Follis; 1 Robinson; 3 Seymour; and 1 Ware.

Does this mean that there is possibility that my Smith name may have been something else in a time long ago and faraway?

According to the Family Tree DNA Y-DNA TiP Report, and using the information of matching the latest John Faree Follis there may be a probability of 82.61% that in 12 generations, (that’s 12 generations backwards) we, John Faree Follis and myself, Jim Smith may have shared a common ancestor.

And how long is a generation?

From a male perspective it may be a “generational interval of 31 to 38 years”. (ISOGG, “How long is a generation? Science provides an answer”, by Donn Devine). 

If I use the average of about 34 ½ years my calculation would be that about 12 generations back or about 414 years in the past John Faree Follis and I may have an 82.61% chance of sharing a common male ancestor. That means that maybe around 1603 there may be a Follis who could have been a Smith or a Smith who could have been a Follis. (I think.)

And in our Y-DNA 111-marker matching, between John Faree Follis and me there is a 9 Genetic Distance, according to the tests as provided by Family Tree DNA.

The definition of Genetic Distance used by Family Tree DNA “is the number of differences, or mutations, between two sets of results. A genetic distance of zero means there are no differences in the results being compared against one another, i.e., an exact match.”

From my results I have noticed that there is one Jeffrey L. Smith and we match at the 37-Marker test of our Y-DNA. According to Family Tree DNA there is a probability of 89.16% that 12 generations back, about 1603, we may have shared a common ancestor. I wonder if Jeffery L. Smith has ever considering completing the 111-Marker test?

Currently and according to the FTDNA results there are 25 Smith matches at the 12-Marker testing and only two others, excluding myself have completed the 111-Marker testing. All-things-being-equal a possible matching to these two other Smiths falls away considerably as neither of them match my results at the 10 or less Genetic Difference.

If you are a Smith and you may know that you descended from Great-Great-Great Grandfather James Smith please feel free to contact me at jsmith58@gmail.com if you are thinking about testing your Y-DNA.

And if you know of anyone else in the family who may be interested in receiving my updates regarding the search please let me know their email mail so I can include them. Who knows, more than my two eyes and my one aging brain definitely may help with this continued search.

Regards,

Jim

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Part 901sd – Smith Doret Genealogy – Doret? Maybe. Maybe? Let’s Hope So!

Good Day,

Thank you, Peter, for keeping me in mind with your genealogy research. The image you sent me of the page of the document entered into the Grenada, Supreme Court Registers of Records, 1764 – 1931 may have an iota of a clue that we may need into the research and discovery of my GGG-Grandmother Mary Ann (née Doret) Smith.

The document was penned the 18th of August 1788 and entered 14th of November of that same year. The document is in French which means that I will have to transcribe and then translate.

But here’s the hopeful part. One the first page of the document, which begins on page 340 of the Register concerned there is indicated the name of one “Jean Doret”.

And of course, I jumped at the reveal. The lines where the name of Jean Doret first appears are –

“Et du Coté de la future épouse Le Sieur Jean Doret
Commis Réprésent Le Sieur Tou∫sain Josset pere
de la ditte future épouze…”

And translated –

"And of the side of the future wife The Mister Jean Doret
Clerk Representative The Mister Tou∫sain Josset father
Of the future spouse ... "

Here’s the image of page 340 –

And what does this mean? Well, this may be a hint, a clue to a connection to GGG-Grandmother Mary Ann (née Doret) Smith.

In the opening of page 340, the locations referred to are –

“…Hâbitant au quartier desSalines de cette Isle Grenade…”

and translated –

“living in the Saline district of this island of Grenada…”

Jean Doret, as mentioned in the first page of the document is “the Clerk Representative” on behalf of one of the parties drafting the document.

Does this mean that GGG-Mary Ann Doret is/was related in some way to Jean Doret?

Stay tuned for a further development of our search and research. And if you have any thoughts, comments and or notes, please contact me at jsmith58@gmail.com.

Thanks, and enjoy,

Jim

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Part 899sd - Smith Robertson - Autosomal DNA Results

Good Day,

And my Autosomal DNA or Ethnicity tests are all in.

I had them done by the 3 major companies - Family Tree DNA, 23andMe, and Ancestry. Whatever flair and marketing substance each individual corporation present here are my results, summarized by major region/area and ethnicity.

Family Tree DNA --

Africa - 4.0%
The Middle East - < 2.0%
European - 80.0%
Jewish Ashkenzai - 13.0%

23andMe --

Africa - 3.7%
The Middle East - < 0.1%
Europe - 85.8%
Jewish Ashkenzai - 10.4%

Ancestry --

Africa - 4.0%
The Middle East - 0.0%
Europe - 83.0%
European Jewish - 13.0%

My major highlights are the British Isles and Jewish Diaspora They are as follows, respectively -

Family Tree DNA - 62.0%; 13.0%
23andMe - 50.8%; 10.5%
Ancestry - 67.0%; 13.0%


For further detailed information regarding Autosomal DNA please check the International Society of Genetic Genealogy Wiki at https://isogg.org/wiki/Autosomal_DNA, especially the section of "Accuracy of tests".

Autosomal DNA tests can be used to confirm relationships with a high level of accuracy for parent/child relationships and all relationships up to the second cousin level. For all relationships other than parent/child relationships additional contextual and genealogical information is required to confirm the nature of the relationship.

And if you know of anyone else in the family who may be interested in receiving my updates regarding the search please let me know their email mail so I can include them. Who knows, more than my two eyes and my one aging brain definitely may help with this continued search.

Regards,

Jim

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Part 898sd – Smith Doret - Searching For The Origins of GGG-Grandmother Marie Ann (née Doret) Smith

Good Day,

I remembered that France's archives for 100th Department, the one I used to find the documentation regarding our July family may be up online. The 100th Department is d'Outre-Mer. I thought that if I was able to use it for French Guiana why could I not use it for Martinique. And sure enough, I was able to find the links to the Archives Nationales d'Outre-Mer  -

A couple of things about using this site and most important it does not work with Google. It does work with Firefox.

Here is the link to the first part of the Birth Registration of Great-Grandmother Catherine Marie Antoinette July, 4 January 1861 in the Goree, Senegal Registration books -

http://anom.archivesnationales.culture.gouv.fr/caomec2/pix2web.php?territoire=SENEGAL&commune=GOREE&annee=1861&typeacte=AC_NA

Hoping we will be able to find something similar in Martinique for GGG-Grandmother Marie Ann Doret. Who knows?

I have begun searching through the documents and registration as available on line. It will be an arduous search as I will have to go town by town.

This Archive may also help in tracing my grandson's mother's portion of their family line of Parisé to the Quebec and the Gaspe Peninsula circa 1697.

The Outre-Mer Department encompasses all those lands and countries that did and still do fall under the auspices of the French Empire.

And if you know of anyone else in the family who may be interested in receiving my updates regarding the search please let me know their email mail so I can include them. Who knows, more than my two eyes and my one aging brain definitely may help with this continued search.

Regards,

Jim

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Part 897sd – Smith Doret – Another Examination of the 1818 Indenture – Property Acquisition

Good Day:

I, (Thank you Steve and Peter), have been jolted back into the realm of my/our genealogy looking for any idea or thought that may lead me/us to find the origins of my/our GGG-grandparents James and Mary Ann (née Doret) Smith.

On the 27th of February 1818, GGG-Grandfather James Smith appears to have purchased a lot/parcel of land in the Town of St. George, Grenada. This property cost at the time £165, in current funds. (In today’s US dollars this is something over $13 thousand.) GGG-Grandfather James bought this property from a Judith/Judique Dunn.

James Smith is identified as a “Mill Carpenter” and she, Judith/Judique Dunn is a “free Black woman”. Both are of St. George in Grenada. There are some very interesting related facts regarding Judith/Judique Dunn The year is 1818, and a “free Black woman” is recorded as a landowner.

The Indenture, as entered to the Register and dated 13 October 1818 identifies the size and location of the property as 27 feet in the front – the width and 30 feet in depth – the length. The total area is 810 square feet. The lot is “bounded on the North by Gore Street” and “on the West by Halifax Street”. I think I have the location of the property, the following map cut out from Google Maps. (My figure is only a representation.)

Continuing on in the Indenture the description of the property, it borders onto land to the south owned by Robert Napier. And then comes the clincher “and on the East by Lands of Mary Ann Doret”. This is 1818. GGG-Grandparents James Smith and Mary Ann Doret were not married until 11 December 1832.

Taking this into account all of GGG-Grandparents James and Mary Ann’s children, the ones that I can identify, were born between and possibly before 1806 and 1820. Also I have been able to research documentation that both GGG-Grandfather James and GGG-Grandmother Mary Ann were slave owners, per Office of Registry of Colonial Slaves and Slave Compensation Commission: Records; (The National Archives Microfilm Publication T71); Records created and inherited by HM Treasury; The National Archives of the UK (TNA), Kew, Surrey, England.

Family history that I have been privy to when I began my trek into genealogy and the search for my Smith et al ancestry was that GGG-Grandmother Mary Ann (née Doret) Smith was from Martinique and that she was a black female. I was also told that she may have been GGG-Grandfather James Smith’s housekeeper. Well, I am yet still to determine whether she was from Martinique, black, or a housekeeper. I am not discrediting this information it is just that I do not have any viable documentary proof to that effect.

I have located the majority of Birth Registrations for GGG-Grandparents James and Mary Ann (née Doret)Smith’s children: Sophia (1806), Mary Ann (circa 1809), Eley (1812), James Jr (1815 and my GG-Grandfather), Henry (1818), and Thomas (1820). The only reference to a George is in GGG-Grandfather’s last will and testament.

I did find GGG-Grandparents James and Mary Ann (née Doret) Smith’s Marriage Registration dated 11 December 1832. I have found the both GGG-Grandfather James and GGG-Grandmother Mary Ann were property and slave owners, individually and as a married couple.

My current autosomal DNA, the ethnic breakdown by Family Tree DNA, currently shows the following resulting breakdown: European - 78%; Jewish Diaspora - 14%; Middle Eastern - 4%; and African - 4%. 23andMe displays the breakdown as follows: European - 96.3%; Sub-Saharan African - 3.5%; Middle Eastern & North African 0.2%; and Other - < 0.1%. These primary classifications can and are broken down further across a number of classifications.

These are the facts. I am not disputing any of the family histories that I have been provided but a number of logical question do arise when examining the currently available documentation and my DNA percentages.

Logic seems to indicate that GGG-Grandmother Mary Ann Doret was a woman of some means. It also appears that she may have been a free person as she did own property typically reserved for free peoples.

Was she from Martinique, I cannot answer that question but the fact that she appears to have had a French surname, Doret, there may some credence to that possibility. We can only continue to search for a possible birth sometime in the time range of 1770 and 1790.

And then there is the question of the origins of GGG-Grandfather James Smith. The surname Smith does not provide much to go on. There are a number of assumptions but here’s hoping that one day I/we can find an iota of truth to the location of his birth and origin.

Here are the images of the 1818 Indenture, These are copies of the FHL microfilm #1563379 Item 5, Pages 450-2 -

And my transcription -

450

Examd

Entered 13th October 1818

This Indenture made the Twenty Seventh Day of February One thousand
Eight hundred and Eighteen between Judique Dunn of the Town of Saint George in the Island
of Grenada aforesaid a free Black woman of the one part and James Smith of the Parish of Saint
George in the same Island, Mill Carpenter of the other part witne∫seth that the said Judith Dunn
in consideration of Five shillings Current money of Grenada to her in had paid by the said James
Smith before the sealing and delivery of these presents (the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged)
hath bargained and sold and by these presents doth bargain and sell unto the said James Smith
his Executors Administrators and A∫signs All that Lot piece of Parcel of Land Situate and being in
the Town of Saint George in the said Island of Grenada containing in front Twenty Seven feet
and in depth Thirty feet and bounded on the North by Gore Street on the West by Halifax Street on
the South by lands late of Robert Napier and on the East by Lands of Mary Ann Doret or howsoever
otherwise bounded and being and all erections thereon and all ways waters Liberties Easements and
Priviledges thereto belonging or usually enjoyed therewith and the reversion and reversions remainder and
remainders Rents, I∫sues and Profits thereof with their and every of their Appurtenances To have and
To hold the said Lot Piece or Parcel of Land and all and singular the Premises above mentioned unto
the said James Smith his Executors Administrators and A∫signs from the day next before the Day of
the date hereof for and during the full end and term of one whole Year thereon next ensuing
Yielding and paying therefore at the End of the said term One Pepper Corn if lawfully demanded
To the intent and purpose that by virtue of these presents and of the statute for transferring Uses
into Po∫se∫sion the said James Smith may be in the actual Po∫se∫sion of the premises and
thereby be enabled to accept and take a Grant and release of the Freehold and Inheritance thereof
by Indenture intended to bear date the day next after the Day of the Date of these presents.
In Witne∫s whereof the party first above named hath hereto set her hand and Seal the Day
and Year first above written. order(?) Mark
of + Judith Dunn +
Signed Sealed and Delivered }
In presence of us } L Vonweiller _ Anthony Lumpres(?)

This Indenture made the Twenty Eight Day of February One thousand Eight
hundred and Eighteen Between Judique Dunn of the Town of Saint George in the said Island of
Grenada free Black woman of the one part and James Smith of ^the Parish of Saint George in the

same

451

same Island Mill Carpenter of the other part witne∫seth that the said Judique Dunn for
and in consideration of the sum of one hundred and Sixty five pounds Current money of Grenada
to her in hand well and truly paid at or before the sealing and delivery of these presents by the
said James Smith (the Receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged) hath bargained granted sold
released and confirmed and by these presents doth Grant bargain Sell release and confirm unto
the said James Smith (In his actual Pro∫se∫sion now being by virtue of a Bargain and Sale to him
thereof made by Indenture bearing date the day next before the Day of the date of these presents
and by force of the Statute for the transferring uses into Po∫se∫sion) and to his Heirs and A∫signs All
that Lot Piece or Parcel of Land Situate and being in the Town of Saint George in the said Island
of Grenada containing in front Twenty Seven feet and in depth Thirty feet bounded on the North by
Gore Street on the West by Halifax Street on the South by lands lately of Robert Napier and on
the East by Lands of Mary Ann Doret or howsoever otherwise bounded and being and all erections
thereon and all ways waters Liberties Easements and Priviledges thereto belonging or usually enjoyed
therewith and the Reversion and Reversions Remainder and Remainders Rents I∫sues and Profits
thereof with these and every of these Appurtenances and all the Estate Right Title Interest Trust
Property claim and demand whatsoever both at Law and in Equity of her the said Judique Dunn
of in and to the same or any part thereof To have and To hold the said Lot Piece or Parcel of Land
and all and singular other the Premises above mentioned with these Appurtenances unto the said
James Smith his Heirs and A∫signs to his and their only proper use and behoof for Ever. And the said
Judique Dunn for herself her Heirs Executors and Administrators doth hereby covenant and agree
to and with the said James Smith his Heirs and A∫signs in manner following that is to say that
for and notwithstanding any Act matter or thing done committed or willingly to be hereby granted
and released with the Appurtenances of and in a pure absolute and indefeasible Estate of Inheritance
in fee simple with any condition matter or Thing whatsoever to alter change le∫sen defeat or make void
the same and further that he the said James Smith and his heirs and A∫signs shall at all
Times hereafter peaceably and quietly have po∫se∫s and occupy and enjoy the said Lot Piece or
Parcel of Land and Premises hereby granted bargained and sold and receive and take the Rents
I∫sues and profits thereof to his and their own use without the Let ____ hindrance Interruption
or denial of the said Judique Dunn her I∫sues and A∫signs or any other Person or Persons
claiming under her them or any Predici∫son of her the said Judique Dunn and that
free and clear and freely and clearly acquitted exonerated and discharged or otherwise by the
Said Judique Dunn and her I∫sues well and sufficiently Saved and ^kept indemnified from and
against all and all manner of former and other Gifts Grants Bargains Sales Leases Mortgages
forfeitures Rents Dowers Judgements Estates and Incumbrances whatsoever made done or executed
by the said Judique Dunn or any of her Predece∫sors. And moreover that she the said Judique
Dunn will at all times hereafter at the request of the said James Smith his Heirs and A∫signs
but at his and their proper Costs make and execute such further conveyances and a∫surances
for the more perfectly and absolutely granting releasing and a∫suring the said Lot Piece or parcel
of Land hereby granted and released and the Premises unto and to the use of the said James
Smith his Heirs and A∫signs as by the said James Smith his Heirs and A∫signs or his or their
Counsel shall be reasonably devised and required. In Witne∫s whereof the Party first above
named hath hereto her her hand and Seal the Day and Year first above written.

order(?) Mark

of + Judith (LS) + Dunn

Signed Sealed and Delivered }
In presence of us } L Vonweiller _ Anthony Lumpres(?)

Received on the Day of the Date of the within written Indenture of and from the within
named James Smith the sum of One hundred and Sixty five pounds Current money of Grenada
being the full consideration money within mentioned to be by him paid to me I say received £165 by

order(?) Mark

of Judith + Dunn

Witne∫ses L Vonweiller _ Anthony Lumpres(?)

Grenada
Before the Honorable Richard Ottley Esquire Chief Justice if his Majesty’s
Supreme Court of Judicature for the Island of Grenada and its Dependencies
Personally appeared Lawrence Vonweiller of the Town of St. George Writing Clerk one of the subscribing
Witne∫s to the annexed Indentures of Lease and Release who being duly sworn on the Holy Evangelists
of Almighty God deposeth and Saith that he was present together with Anthony Lumpres the other
subscribing witne∫s thereto and did see the therein named Judith Dunn Sign by making her
ordinary Mark not knowing to write opposite to the Seals of the said Indentures of Lease and release
and also sign by the same mark the Receipt for the consideration money thereof And also saw her
Seal acknowledge and deliver the same as and for her free and voluntary Act and Deed And
Testimony thereof this Deponent and the said Anthony Lumpres respectively subscribed their names

as

452

As Witne∫ses thereto at the Request and in the presence of the said Judith Dunn and in the
presence of each other.

Sworn to Before me this } Lawrence Vonweiller
thirteenth day of October 1881 } Richd Ottley


I had previously worked on the 1818 Indenture in A Genealogy. You can cross-reference my earlier work at:

Part 408s – Smith Robertson Genealogy – Smith Indenture Study – 1818 James Smith and Mary Ann Doret

Part 409s – Smith Robertson Genealogy – Smith Indenture Study – 1818 James Smith – Acquisition of Land

Enjoy, and I’m going to keep looking,

Jim

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Part 871bd – Brunhammer Doherty Genealogy – AB’s Ethnic Makeup

Good Day,

Well it appears that according to Family Tree DNA’s myOrigins from the Family Finder product Andy Brunhammer and his siblings are 100% European.

The breakdown is 64% from the British Isles and 36% from Western and Central Europe. According to Family Tree DNA when referring to the British Isles, the darker blue area, the cluster is typical to the British Isles, especially Ireland. The Western and Central European, the lighter blue, cluster combines nearly all of the threads of European genetic history into one.

There is a shade of differences when the interpretation is done according to 23andMe – 99.4% European, 0.5% Sub-Saharan African, less than 0.1% Yakut, and less than 0.1% unassigned. Of course there is no indication of a margin of error based on each of the companies’ interpretation.

All-things-being-equal one has to take into account that each company has its own team of sales and marketing staff who may or may not appreciate adding the “bells and whistles” to provide a somewhat justifiable campaign to the genealogy-centric and interested public.

Andy’s Y-DNA, his Brunhammer paternal line is I2a2 (I-M423) at Family Tree DNA and I2a2b at 23andMe. His maternal mtDNA, Doherty plus, line is X2e1 at Family Tree DNA and X2e at 23andMe. Both firms basically are saying that his DNA results are the same.

Check up for my update and discussion at my site A Genealogy Hunt.

If you have any thoughts, questions, ideas, comments, please feel to get in touch me via email at A Genealogy Hunt.

Enjoy,

Jim

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Part 539b – Brunhammer Doherty Genealogy – Comparing 23andMe Autosomal DNA Results

Evening, and still no AC,

Well an examination of 23andMe results is the discussion. We decided to use two Brunhammer candidates to see if we could understand exactly what 23andMe is trying to do. The candidates are brother and sister of the Brunhammer clan, and as we know, both have the same parents, Eugene John and Myrtle Frances Gertrude (née Doherty) Brunhammer.

The first results are included with the Ancestry Painting. The Ancestry Painting “feature takes a look at the more recent heritage of your chromosomes, segment by segment. It identified the pre-colonial home continent – Africa, Asia or Europe… of DNA along the 22 chromosomes that are inherited from both parents.”

This does not include the sex chromosomes. These are the autosomes. AB’s autosome inheritance is identified as >99% Europe and <1% Africa. KBF’s are identified as 100% Europe. Somewhere in time a minute indication on a segment of AB’s chromosome #4, there is an ancestor who may have passed on the information that he or she may have originated somewhere in Africa. This is that <1% indicator.

The next 23andMe tool is the Compare Genes function. Accordingly 23andMe will take the Genome-Wide Comparison of 928693 SNPs (Single-Nucleotide Polymorphisms) and compare them between clients to determine the percent similarity. AB’s and KBF’s similarity is observed at 86.22%.

As you can see in the top diagram, comparing the top 1 to the bottom 2 there is one SNP that is different. Of the over 928693 SNPs of ABs and KBFs that were compared approximately 800719 SNPs are similar. This is a very high correlation. This is a comparison of all 22 pairs of autosomal chromosomes excepting the sex chromosomes. This definitely proves that there is a chance that AB and KBF are siblings. And of course we know that AB and KBF are siblings…same parents, same house, same city, same state. The question is what would be the similarity percentage between the other brothers and sisters?

The next 23andMe offered tool is Relative Finder. The results between AB and KBF are: 1. Predicted Relationship – Sibling; 2. % DNA shared – 46.14%; and 3. # Shared Segments – 46. And exactly what do these mean?

Well, number 1, the Predicted Relationship – Sibling, I am glad to say is correct. This certainly puts to rest the old tales that AB was told by his older siblings that he was “adopted from the lower part of Jersey” and that he was “really was from China”. At least 232ndMe got the Sibling Relationship right. The next closest 23andMe Predicted Relationship to AB in the possible 868 Results from the database is a gentleman who may be a 4th Cousin.

The next sets of results are the % DNA Shared – 46.14%. And this means? 23andMe defines this as “The percentage of identical DNA shared between you and a potential relative.” The 23andMe table summarizes the average % of DNA Shared for different types of cousins.

Based on date provided by on RootsWeb and the Degrees of Relation and Number of Genes Shared. Parents, siblings, children, and fraternal twins may share about 50% of their DNA with each other. Bingo on AB and KBF at 46.14%.

Number 3 states that the number of DNA Segments shared between AB and KBF is 46. Here is a visual plot as presented by 23andMe.

Well a cM or CentiMorgan, according to 23andME, is a measure of how easily a particular segment recombines. And this means? Well that’s the next discussion.

Enjoy,

Jim

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My Tangent - My Genealogy Efforts - My Short List

Morning,

Today's a challenge; I'm trying to get myself organized without being too, too organized. There is no point in getting stressed out over not getting something done on time or at least when I schedule it.

AB is well on the road to recovery. Just making sure that the sink doesn't get too filled up with dirty dishes, all meals are on time and with some modicum of nutrition, and the Pack walked regularly, leaves a little time for me. In retrospect, could I have gone into the care-provision industry? Hell no... I'm far too, too self-centered. And what was I thinking about, that many years ago getting a Master's Degree in Organizational Management?

Anyway, with a breather, I thought I would update my genealogy resolutions and continue the never-ending list of my personal projects all in my quest to fill in the limbs of the branches of my Tree. My list of resolutions and projects like my Tree just keeps getting longer and longer.

Here is my short list and where I think I am...

1. Search and research the origins of my GGG-Grandfather James Smith from/to Grenada. The Transcription Project continues. As I mentioned in the last My Tangent this Project had just got considerably larger. I have begun downloading images from the Grenada Registers of Records, Item I, 1785-1786 of FHL [1563320]. To date, the Indexes and 123 pages. I have also started a transcription of an Indenture, beginning on Page 351 of Item 10, 1822-1823 of FHL [1563379].

2. My MS Access Database of microfilms and microfiche that I have created and reviewed is complete. This certainly gives me quick approach to making sure that I do not re-order a microfilm or microfiche from the FHL if not necessary.

3. I have given up, for now, looking for an iPad application that will allow me to hook directly to my PC at home. There is way too much “invisible wave” interference. Plus, it appears that associated data movement charges by my provider certainly can go through the roof. I have found a number of alternate methods using my iPad, Google Docs, and Hot Wire locations. Keeps the expenses down.

4. The updating of Legacy Family 7.5 software is completed. Now I need to understand the wherewithal to uploading it to Ubuntu 11.04. And yes, I have a lot of work to work on my Family data.

5. My Robertson Family Tree is growing bit-by-bit. Thank you to those who have kindly provided new and key information. Recent photographs and documents were received pertaining to my Grandparents Frederick Henry and Madge (née Goodey) Robertson and his parents, my Great-Grandparents Elizabeth Charlotte (née Merrifield) and Alexander Pirie Robertson. Thank you Mother and Helen. I am still open to receive any “old” family photographs and information. Please feel free to contact me.

6. We are searching for any pertinent information regarding my Uncle Stuart Alistair Frederick Robertson's wife, Daphne Joan (née Fuller) Robertson Roberts. Any lead would certainly assist us to acquire Uncle Stuart's RAF service records and papers.

7. Continue my research and discover definitive ancestral lines of my GGG-Grandmother Elizabeth (née Kendal) Parker. The parish records microfilms for the Downham area are just awaiting my search and review.

8. My Family Tree DNA Family Finder and 23andMe results have been returned. I am trying to understand the elements and definitions of the result returns. There is also the issue of the overlap of similarities or lack thereof of the differences between the viewpoints of the two companies. I need to update my DNA listing links to provide easy access to my charts and analyses.

9. Try to understand the concept of 23andMe’s Ancestry Painting and Family Tree DNA Illumina Omnis Express Chromosome Browser.

10. Understand the scope of y-search.org which results in two 64-to-67 YDNA marker matches. My User ID is CJY7M. Both I and my 64-to-67 match have upgraded to the new Family Tree DNA 111 YDNA marker testing. We are both waiting in anticipation to learn if the new data will provide any more cohesive details or eliminate the possibility of a possible common ancestor. The pending items are due back by June 6.

11. The results to the new Family Tree DNA Walk Through the Y test have been returned, I think. 956 Chromat files have been returned. I haven’t got a bloody clue what a Chromat file is.

12. One 61-to-67 match has been returned in the Robertson YDNA results to date. The unique thing about this match is that the match’s surname is also Robertson. I need to make contact in order to ascertain the possibility of a common ancestor. According to the Family Tree DNA TiP (Time Predictor) Report there is a 61.73% probability of the possibility of a shared common ancestor in 12 generations. This increases to an 84.65% probability in 16 generations. Beginning with my generation I have documented data of Robertsons for a total of about 10 generations. A good reference table is found at Family Forest.

13. Continue and organize my research of my July Family line, into Sarlat, Dordogne, France. In progress. I have found a possible series of new birth and death registrations which could take this family line to about 1588.

14. Solve the mystery of GGGG-Grandparents Joseph and Sarah (née Pudney) Goodey. I haven’t even opened the paper files in this area as yet.

15. Respond to recent emails and gmails regarding possible relationships and Postings to A Genealogy Hunt.

16. Commit myself to the development of the viable A Genealogy Hunt website. I keep thinking about this one… but you can see this is number 13.

17. Commit myself to complete at least 5 of my 22 remaining National Institute For Genealogical Studies courses. I have already completed 32. I keep postponing my start and pick-up date.

18. And…

(Inserted photograph by Alamy, Guardian.co.uk)

Enjoy,

Jim

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Part 501rs – Smith Robertson Genealogy – Maybe Martian?

Good Afternoon,

Isn’t genealogy fun? Who knows what may turn up in my DNA mappings, especially as the technology becomes more and more “sophisticated” and fine-tuned. With the supposed speculation of fossil life in the Martian meteorite ALH 84001, who knows what may be just around the corner in my search for that most distant ancestor?

Okay, okay, I’m not holding my breath, nor am I suggesting that I should follow my roots to Mars… Nor am I looking for that connection. (There I go again with the double or triple negatives…) I am just amazed at how quickly the genetic and genealogy technology is advancing exponentially.

Following up from Part 497, I have now included a 23andMe Autosomal DNA component into my graph/chart. And yes, this is not scientific… It is just my way of visualizing which assists me to understand what the three viewpoints, aka testings, are saying.

As you can see, the three firms: 23andMe, Ancestry By DNA, and Family Tree DNA have all concluded, from their vantage arguments, that my Autosomal DNA is above 93% European in origination. See Part 500rs,and I would presume that that is far back as they can go, up to the current day, with their present techniques.

From my comprehension, and as I try to represent in the graph/chart, I now understand that each firms’ results, as per Megan Smolenyak, “have to do with different approaches being used to do the analysis”. All three have concentrated, the oval area labeled, on “European”. My Autosomal DNA of European origins, albeit ancestry, range from 93% to 97%. Family Tree DNA and 23andMe have similar estimations, approximately 3% to 4%, regarding African origins.

Only 23andMe provides the <1% Asian results. All-things-being-equal, this may mean that Family Tree DNA either did not take that percentage into account in their reporting, or they did not test or examine the corresponding populations. They, Family Tree DNA, did report my results for Europe as 95.85% ± 0.11% and for Africa as 4.14% ± 0.10%. A question I would ask is “If they are that detailed with the result percentages, why would they not “see” any factor for Asian? These two results do add up to 99.99% ± 0.11%.

That is still pretty close to 100%. Per a Family Tree DNA FAQ – “Why don’t the percentages from each population add up to 100%?” Their corresponding response is “Your results may not add up to 100% if you have a small amount of DNA that matches a population. The Population Finder program does not report a match when it is too distant to report with confidence…” So does that mean that Family Tree DNA did or did not see, or report the population match for Asian?

The “blank space” in my graph/chart is that area in the brackets, in my own words… and maybe understanding may be, where the three firms have not analyzed based on their own techniques. Taking a wild guess this is “My Autosome Continuum”. It is in those areas which as time progresses, new and exciting technological developments will reveal more. It would be nice if these tests, and again I am only thinking out of the top of my head, would be able to tell me the “close” geographic origins of my ggg-grandfather James Smith.

Mars, maybe?

Enjoy,

Jim

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Part 500rs – Smith Robertson Genealogy – 23andMe Autosomal DNA – Biparental Results

Good Morning,

And this is my 500th Posting on A Genealogy Hunt.

The first draft of my genealogy Autosomal DNA results from 23andMe has been received. And as I understand these results do not include the X and Y, or sex chromosomes. These are the 22 biparental chromosomes or autosomes that I received from my parents. The 22 autosomes are actually pairs; one set of 22 from my father, Smith, and the other set of 22 from my mother, Robertson. (I had to look up a definition of the word – biparental – “Of or derived from two parents.”)

Here is my updated Venn diagram – Smith Robertson Autosomal DNA Test Results.

The 23andMe results, rounded, specific to geographic regions, are: Europe – 97%; Africa – 3%; and Asia – <1%. And how does this compare to my other results as provided by Ancestry By DNA and Family Tree DNA?

Geographic Region	Ancestry By DNA	Family Tree DNA	23andMe
Europe	93%	96%	97%
Africa	0%	4%	3%
Asia	0%	0%	less than 1%
Indigenous American	7%	0%	0%

Remember to note that the Ancestry By DNA tests were taken in 2005, whereas both the Family Tree DNA and 23andMe tests were conducted in 2011.

My next discussion will be to try and understand what Family Tree DNA calls the “Family Finder Illumina Omniexpress Chromosome Brower” and 23andMe labels , what looks the same, as “Ancestry Painting”.

Stay tuned to a next Posting. And, AB is most definitely recovering well.

Enjoy,

Jim

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Part 499r – Smith Robertson Genealogy – Second 23andMe Results Returned – Maternal Haplogroup = H1a1

Evening,

Part 498 presented the 23andMe testing results of my Paternal Line, the Smiths. Now I have my Maternal Line results from 23andMe. Ain’t Genealogy fun…

The Maternal Haplogroup is H1a1. H1a1 is a subgroup of H1. According to 23andMe the Haplogroup H1 is widespread in Europe, especially in the western part of the continent. It originated about 13,000 years ago, not long after the Ice Age ended.

The 23andMe map image shows the locations of Haplogroup H1 circa 500 years ago, before the era of intercontinental travel.

And halleluiah, my 23andMe Maternal Haplogroup of H1a1 correlates to my Family Tree DNA results, also H1a1. Something in the testings pan-out. This Maternal Haplogroup of H1a1 corresponds to my Maternal Line which includes the surnames Robertson, Goodey, Crossley, Parker, and Kendal. Just an fyi, my surname Smith is not, to my current knowledge and research, a part of my Maternal mtDNA.

At this point in time I am not saying where my deep ancestry is actually from, but more or less I am trying to make reason of the various results. This is an exercise in trying, with me as a “guinea-pig”, to understand a good portion of the genealogy technological jargon.

Now on to the Autosomal DNA results… Stay tuned for my next attempt to understand the results.

Enjoy,

Jim

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Part 498s – Smith Robertson Genealogy – First 23andMe Results Returned – Paternal Haplogroup = R1b1b2a

Morning,

Well the “brain-learnin’” continues. This is an amazing trek trying to pinpoint the origins of my ancestors and my genealogy.

I received the first part of the results from my 23andMe testings. It appears that the results for my X and Y, aka the sex, chromosomes are back.

First of all my Paternal Haplogroup is registering as R1b1b2a. As recorded by 22andMe, R1b1b2a is a subgroup of R1b1b2. R1b1b2 is the most common Haplogroup in Western Europe, where its branches are clustered in various national populations. Per 23andMe, the above map approximates locations of Haplogroup R1b1b2 circa 500 years ago, before the era of intercontinental travel.

The positive factor of this result is that it is the same result and Haplogroup as tested by Family Tree DNA. But this is only the YDNA. I am still awaiting the other results.

This should be the same Haplogroup for all the male Smiths, Landreth-Smiths, Lloydsmiths, Lloyd-Smiths, Malins-Smiths, et al who are descended from ggg-grandfather James Smith of Grenada.

Next the mtDNA and my maternal line Haplogroup, and the Autosomal DNA.

Enjoy,

Jim

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Part 497 - Smith Robertson Genealogy - I Am What?

Evening,

Following up to my Posting, Part 496, I was/am somewhat confused by the differences on the results of my genealogy Autosomal DNA test results.

Recapping quickly – Ancestry By DNA, in 2005, returned the results that my genetic makeup should be 93% - European and 7% - Native or Indigenous American. Family Tree DNA’s results, in 2011, suggest that my genetic makeup is 95.9% - Western European and 4.1% - African. And my first gut reaction, “What the hell happened?”

Back up a minute, I am an English Teacher, a Treasury Manager, and a Diplomat-of-sorts, by trade, (now retired), and education. But I think logically… I think. How can my “supposed” scientific and gene-technological numbers be different? How did I, within six years, change my ethnic background and makeup? Something didn’t make sense to me.

I then decided to see a quick question to some of my respected mentors. My question was “Do you know of a specific reason why there is a difference between the Family Tree DNA and the Ancestry By DNA results?”

Here are their answers -

From Megan Smolenyak Smolenyak –

The Ancestry By DNA “were the best available at the time, but the new ones would be more reliable. The differences have to do with different approaches being used to do the analysis.”

From Drew Smith –

“Different companies use different methods to test the autosomal DNA. They may look at different parts of the DNA. And ethnicity is identified by saying which ethnic groups are ‘most’ likely to have particular values at particular points in the DNA. In other words, you could test a particular point in the DNA, and say ‘the value you get is most commonly found among African populations’ (which is not the same as saying that it’s never found in European populations.)”

From Katherine Borges –

“One big reason that the results differ is because the two companies are using different databases and data sets to compare your results to. Even if you purchased your Ancestry by DNA test back when Family Tree DNA (FTDNA) was a reseller of the test, your results were still only compared to DNA Print’s database which does not have proprietary access to.”

And with those responses, and further reading in mind, I created the above inserted chart. I am an extremely visual person, albeit logical and I needed a “picture” to help me to understand. This basic Chart represents, in my mind, the different vantage points and testing factors of the two firms; Ancestry by DNA and Family Tree DNA. I have included, in green, a label representing 23andMe; I am waiting for their testing results.

This conversation will continue. Stay-tuned for more… as I pound my thick skull trying to make heads, (no pun intended), or tails of all the information.

Enjoy,

Jim

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My Tangent - Searching A Genealogy Hunt - DNA Updates

Evening,

It’s been a hectic couple of past days… and between each breathing moment I try to work on my genealogy and ancestry. Yes I am obsessed with genealogy.

I have received a number of emails asking questions regarding inter-connections and possible links regarding all eight branches of my Family Tree. I welcome the inquiries, questions, and requests. I try to answer all, and I mean all of the questions and your comments, as soon as I can.

For anyone with questions regarding a surname or some word reference that I may have included in my Postings, I have provided the “Search This Blog” box in the right-hand column. A surname can be typed into the “Search This Blog” box and the “Search” button can be pressed or clicked on. All-things-being-equal, the Goggle Blogger’s functionality searches through the Postings on A Genealogy Hunt and should return the number of Postings that may include that which has been typed into the “Search This Blog” box.

In the center column is my “Most Recent 20 Postings” list of links. The number 1 link should be the immediate previous Posting to the current one that shows up initially and at the Home position of A Genealogy Hunt. I attempt to update the “Most Recent 20 Postings” almost immediately after entering and displaying a brand new Post. I try to ensure that a live link is in place, so that a reader can click on the link and be immediately transported to the Post that is being referenced and titled.

Please be aware that I do not post or provide any gedcom files of my database in A Genealogy Hunt. In this wise I can almost guarantee that I am not providing any information or details concerning or about any living relatives or family members. I am sure that you will appreciate the confidentiality.

I invite comments, questions, thoughts, and ideas to my genealogy work and research. I am also open to suggestions on how others may believe that I can always improve A Genealogy Hunt.

Apart from the main thrust of the ancestral search and research, I am continuing with my Transcription Project of the Grenada Registers of Records. This of course has an explicit desired outcome of which is the search and scrutiny of any hint or clue to the origins of my 3-times great-grandfather James Smith.

The other work is my DNA Project of which I am currently stumbling through trying to understand the detailed results provided and offered by the relevant vendors. I am now awaiting the results of the extended Family Tree DNA Y-DNA111 Marker Tests for the Smith, Robertson, and Brunhammer paternal lines.

I have received the first wave of test results from the Family Tree DNA Family Finder and Walk Through The Y products. I will state categorically that I, in no way, am a geneticist nor a DNA expert. There is a ton of technical, theoretical, and scientific data that would take me eons to read and comprehend. This exercise is elementary and at the throes of the beginnings of the sciences. If there are any experts, or perceived experts – pro or con, I certainly would appreciate the layman’s version of the techno-jargon.

Regarding Autosomal DNA I am now in the process of comparing the results of two of the three firms that I have received testing. I have received the results from Ancestry by DNA and Family Tree DNA. The third, 23andMe has proposed that their results will be available in about a month and a half.

As a note, I am fully aware that all the genealogy DNA results are based on conjecture, theory, and applicable databases as well as previous scientific study and documentation. I rest on the fact that the information of the results received in no wise will definitively provide me with a fixed and unchanging ancestral result of matching ancestors. I stand by the statement that the result information MAY provide a POSSIBILTY of a PROBABILITY of a common ancestor between two test results. The information, details and the results are certainly food for thought that is something to keep my grey matter functioning.

Oh and I just discovered a new tool, Panopreter Plus that is available as a free download in Microsoft at the 2003 level. This product/tool allows my PC to read back, that is, it converts text to speech. This is a good tool especially when I am proofing and working on a Posting or a document.

Enjoy your spring, in the snow or by the pool.

Jim

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