Wednesday, July 31, 2019

DNA Discovery Journey Begins - Day 1

I will be attending DNA Down Under in just a few weeks and even though I have 6 DNA tests done through FTdna (4 family finder and 2 of these done for MTdna), I have only made contact with a couple of people using the matches and really do not know how to do anymore.

This is now the beginning of my journey to find out more...
Starting with one kit at a time!!

Step One: Download the RAW data   
https://genie1.com.au/how-to-download-your-raw-dna-data/
Step Two: Upload to GEDMATCH
https://genie1.com.au/tips-for-using-gedmatch/

Now I wait to see what happens! It can take 2 days...so I will be back to blog on the results!

Thanks to Louise Coakley Genetic Genealogist for your helpful blog!

Monday, July 22, 2019

Holidays! Memories! Games!

We have just been away for a week, for the first time in 4 years and the first time we were alone with our younger daughter who is 11! This was a great week, time for bonding, activities and games. Now why is this linked to family history? Well on our shopping trip on day one to get food supplies, Coles had "Pick Up Sticks" Wooden ones! Now as a child I had these and played often, not only with my siblings but by myself challenging myself to be able to remove the stick without moving any others. So I bought the box of them much to the excitement of our daughter who could not wait to learn how to play. For almost a week, every night after dinner the three of us would play "pick up sticks" and all enjoyed it!
We also played UNO nightly, read books, did jigsaws and my future paleontologist did her "dig up a dinosaur kits" (plaster of paris that encased various bones of dinosaurs - there were 5 different kits all complete with chisel and hammer) and went for a walk down to the local shops!
It occurred to me during this time just how important family holidays and the sharing of "old" games, no technology past times (jigsaws) were but also capturing the special moments with a quick photograph! 
But also how important it is to capture these times not just on our phones with a picture but to actually go and get it printed, put it in an album and WRITE about the time...and include the instructions for the games played!
I would love for you to comment on your favourite childhood game and how it is played!


But after being away from technology for a week, I have noticed that I have 2 more matches on my recent mtdna tests...so need to see what that is about!
I have no idea what I am doing with dna results and as I am attending DNA downunder in August I need to at least look at results and try and get organised, so I will be blogging step by step on what I am up to and how I go. Four kits have dna done, 2 have now had mtdna done...this should be an interesting adventure!!