Tag Archives: DNA

DNA – the perfect ‘marriage’? #DNADU #DNADOWNUNDER

15 Thursday Aug 2019

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This blog has nothing to do with MY DNA but it’s definitely part of the DNA fever that is flying across Australia at the moment – I’m talking about the DNA Down Under roadshow.  Blaine Bettinger, Louise Coakley, the Unlock the Past crew and a cast too huge to mention have just left Brisbane after a hugely successful DNA day and by now should have landed in Perth.

They’ll then be heading to Adelaide, followed by Melbourne where I get to join the crew, and on to Canberra and Sydney.

So what is the ‘Perfect Marriage’???  The image tells part of the story – it’s nothing to do with me but I can give myself permission to use my name and my photo! – but it’s definitely to do with DNA and MyHeritage.

This morning I had just finished at gym when I got a phone call from a really good mate – Jan in Yarrawonga – who had just got a new DNA match for her hubby.  Jan is family history from the top of her head to her toes – and those who know Jan know that is a long way!  Jan is the current President of the Yarrawonga Family History Group and VAFHO and former / current (?) President of the Cobram Genealogical Group.

And guess who the DNA match was with?  Louise Coakley – the DNA guru of Australia and New Zealand – currently on tour with Blaine Bettinger for the DNA Down Under Roadshow.

So combine one devoted family history researcher with one DNA guru and THAT’s what I call the PERFECT MARRIAGE in Family History!

DNA Downunder – early bird closing

27 Saturday Apr 2019

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Has 2019 been disappearing very quickly for you too?

I confess I can’t believe that one third of the year is just about gone already.

I’m absolutely thrilled that I’ll be at the Melbourne 1-day event on Friday 23rd August and the Sydney 3-day event Thursday 29 – Saturday 31 August.

Early Bird discount bookings close on Tuesday 30 April so if you want to benefit from them you need to book NOW.

Blaine Bettinger is considered one of the world gurus on DNA and this will be such a great opportunity to benefit from his incredible knowledge.

I’ve also be fortunate to have heard some of the other speakers on the Sydney program – Helen Smith, Kerry Farmer, and Louise Coakley.  Our local Geelong Family History Group has been spoilt with TWO webinars by Louise Coakley and Heather Cox so I know I’m going to have a dilemma deciding on which sessions to go to – I just know that I won’t be disappointed whichever ones I choose.

Do I sound excited?  You bet I am.  I’ve been chatting to Blaine via Messenger since his participation was announced and he is so looking forward to bringing his two boys to Australia with him.  I’m also excited because DNA Downunder falls in our Australasian National Family History Month so August is going to be full-on for me!

By attending the Melbourne AND Sydney DNA Downunder events that means I’m doing DNA TO THE MAX!

You have a choice of:

  • A Single Day Event – DNA in your local city
  • Diving Deeper – a Journey through DNA in Sydney
  • DNA To The MAX – the ultimate DNA experience – your local city AND the Sydney event

As I said, I was excited when DNA Downunder was first announced and I was delighted when I was invited to be a DNA Downunder Ambassador.

The first third of the year has whizzed by and I KNOW the second third will disappear even quicker – by then we’ll all be talking about how much we’ve learnt about DNA testing and using those results to the MAX!  I can’t wait for #DNADU .

It’s not too late for Adelaide and Perth!

21 Monday Aug 2017

Posted by in Essentials, Events, Personal History

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I’m back home after attending the full two days of ‘Researching Abroad’ in Melbourne – ONE major complaint!  I didn’t want it to end!

Friday was predominantly Chris PATON on Scottish, Irish, and English research.

Saturday was predominantly Dirk Weissleder on German and European research.

Which was best?  I just feel sorry for the people who had / have to choose between one or the other – I was lucky as Melbourne was a two-day experience and I absolutely loved both and learnt so much from them.

In addition to Chris and Dirk I really enjoyed the MyHeritage presentations, Part 1 and Part 2 with Rosemary and Eric Kopittke – definitely worthwhile.

I caught up with a number of friends and former colleagues and was delighted to meet up with my fellow ‘Official Ambassadors’ – Anne Young (left) and Jennifer Jones (middle).

Apart from my own German ancestry (New South Wales) there were a lot of German immigrants to my ‘local’ region – Geelong and District.  I’m definitely keen to follow up more with the German-Australian Genealogy and History Alliance and the International German Genealogy Partnership.

It was a great two days – you still have a chance to attend the Adelaide and Perth sessions so jump up and do it!

A WEEK full of family history – and a haircut!

14 Monday Aug 2017

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From famine to feast!  I’m making the most of my newfound mobility minus the moon-boot and with wheels!

It all kicks off today with the first Family History talk I’m giving for some months – at the Wyndham Plaza Library in Werribee – TWO talks this afternoon – they’re free and you can still book.  I’m really hoping I’ll catch up with some old friends there.

Mind you I WILL have trouble seeing people there because my hair is SO LONG as I haven’t been able to get to the hairdressers for SO LONG.  I have to keep pushing the hair out of my eyes!

Things will improve by Wednesday as that is when I will get my hair cut – Yippee!

Then I am SO looking forward to listening and learning instead of talking on Friday and Saturday at the Unlock the Past Researching Abroad event at Bulleen in Melbourne.  It is just so great to be out and about but even more-so to get to this event.  Yes – I’m an ‘Official Ambassador’ and more than happy to promote the event because the two days are SO relevant to my own family history research:

  • I have German ancestors
  • I have French, Swiss and Italian ancestors
  • I have Irish and English ancestors
  • I’ll be catching up with Chris Paton who I haven’t seen for a number of years!
  • I’m a great fan of My Heritage
  • My brother and I have both done DNA tests
  • AND I’m sure I’ll be catching up with a number of friends.

Hope to see you at Werribee or Bulleen or both!

Where things come together!

27 Thursday Jul 2017

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It is just over three weeks before these three images connect for me – and if you have any German (or European) ancestors it might just be where things come together for you.

What I’m talking about is the Researching Abroad Roadshow in Melbourne on Friday 18th August and Saturday 19th August, or check out the web site for other locations.

It is not just my German ancestry that makes the ‘Researching Abroad Roadshow’ in Melbourne an essential date in my calendar:

  • I have other European ancestors
  • I have Irish and English ancestors
  • My brother and I have both done DNA tests

The last time I wrote about this fast-approaching roadshow I was celebrating the fact that by now I would be free of my moon-boot.  Unfortunately not quite there – 3 weeks added to the immobility – BUT I WILL be free of it by the time I head to Bulleen in Melbourne.

Something I’ll share with you – for many years I avoided researching my ‘foreign’ ancestors – put it in the too hard basket because of the ‘language’.  It was much easier to concentrate on my English-speaking ancestors.  The trigger to me plunging in off the deep end was reading various journals from the Burwood & District Family History Group that included many articles on German immigrants to Australia.  I made amazing progress and I am looking forward to the next chapter at the Researching Abroad Roadshow.  If you’ve been frightened to take that step into ‘foreign’ research, this is the opportunity you want to grab with both hands!

See you there.

ADDENDUM: Oh, and while you’re looking at the UTP web site about the Roadshow you’ll find references to ‘OFFICIAL AMBASSADORS’ as per the logo at the beginning of this blog.  Yes, I’m an Official Ambassador and really appreciate the opportunity to promote the Researching Abroad Roadshow.  There was always the possibility that I physically couldn’t get there due to my broken ankle and I’m so glad that I’m going to make it.

Am I excited? YES!!

25 Sunday Jun 2017

Posted by in Events, Important news, My Family

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No – I’m not mobile yet – still in a moon-boot – BUT I have got something fantastic to look forward to.  I’m not sure how much the excitement is due to (fingers crossed) maybe getting rid of the moon-boot in 3 weeks and getting some mobility OR going to the ‘Researching Abroad Roadshow’ in Melbourne.  I think the latter – after all a bit of pain, discomfort and lack of mobility definitely doesn’t dampen the excitement of discovering more about my ancestors!

And why does this Roadshow excite me?

  • I have German ancestors
  • I have other European ancestors
  • I have Irish and English ancestors
  • My brother and I have both done DNA tests

I’ve got heaps more to say about this Roadshow but time for that in more blogs.  In the meantime reserve Friday 18th August and Saturday 19th August for the Melbourne Roadshow, or check out the web site for other locations.

I hope to see heaps of you at Bulleen in Melbourne – mobile and moon-boot free!

And something my caring and thoughtful brother posted on my Facebook page!

He really does care!

Image result for smiling emoji

ADDENDUM: Oh, and while you’re looking at the UTP web site about the Roadshow you’ll find references to ‘OFFICIAL AMBASSADORS’ as per the logo at the beginning of this blog.  Yes, I’m an Official Ambassador and really appreciate the opportunity to promote the Researching Abroad Roadshow.  There was always the possibility that I physically couldn’t get there due to my broken ankle and I’m so glad that I’m going to make it.