I am an independent professional genetic genealogist. I have close working relationships with all of the major genetic
genealogy testing companies. I love to help others discover
more about their family heritage through DNA testing. My area of expertise lies in assisting others in understanding Autosomal DNA testing products such as 23andMe's Relative Finder, FTDNA's Family Finder and Ancestry.com's AncestryDNA. I participated in the beta testing for all three products and am
considered an innovator in the use of autosomal DNA for genealogy,
frequently consulted by DNA testing companies, genealogists, adoptees
and the press. My work includes:
Lead Ancestry Ambassador for 23andMe, Moderator for the ISOGG DNA Newbie
List, Advisory Board for the Mixed Roots Foundation and Co-Director of
the Global Adoptee Genealogy Project, International Society of Genetic Genealogy's Regional Coordinator for
Southern California, Volunteer Administrator for the Proctor, Travis and the Adopted DNA Projects at Family Tree DNA, and Administrator for the ISOGG Wikipedia. I have been quoted on the subject of DNA in the Wall Street Journal,
Washington Post, Discover Magazine’s Gene Expression, Science Blog’s
Genetic Future, Genomes Unzipped, Genomics Law Report, Fox Health, CNN's
Paging Dr. Gupta and Eastman’s Online Genealogy Newsletter. My blog even made Newsweek’s “Recommended Reading” List for DNA. I also frequently present on the subject of genetic genealogy.
If you are a beginner, please see the Resources page for links to basic articles on
genetic genealogy.
I am always happy to hear from my readers, however due to the large amount
of inquiries I receive, it has become impossible for me to respond to
every email personally, so please feel free to remind me about your
question if you don't hear back from me and I will do my best to
respond. If you need your question answered in a timely manner,
please join the ISOGG DNA Newbie Yahoo Group or, if your question concerns adoption and DNA,
the AdoptionDNA Yahoo Group (links found on the Resources page) and ask there.
Thank you for reading!
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I'm interested in your observations about the uniqueness of Finnish DNA. Both my grandparents were from Finland, Henry (Heikki Jarvinen) Freeman from Rautalampi and Maria Syrjala from Somero (typical Finnish accents omitted). I have only one uncle remaining from whom I could get a DNA test but doubt he would cooperate. I have done mtDNA full genealogical scan resulting in haplogroup U6a3a1 but the only close matches don't reply to email so may have passed away. This brings out the importance of those doing DNA testing to pass along access to the information and having someone who can reply to matches. I've also done the FTDNA FF test and have many matches but most of those don't have well developed traditional genealogies. Also, my own research has not yet revealed great grandparents in Finland. American cousins: Syrjala & Syrjanen in Fitchburg MA and Jarvinen in Flint MI don't seem inclined to share info.
ReplyDeleteCheers, Ray Whidden, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
I enjoyed your panel session this morning at RootsTech. I only wish we'd had more time.
ReplyDeleteThe question I would have asked is: suppose I have a lock of hair, blood-stained fabric, or other material that might yield DNA from some long-dead known relative. How close are we to having reasonably-priced DNA tests that can take as input something other than a cheek swap or blood sample from a living person? Clearly this is already possible at least on a small scale in the lab, since for years we have been reading about the DNA of Neanderthals and of Otzi the Ice Man in the Alps.