Who Do You Think You Are? Conference 2009: Debuting DNA

12 March 2009

Who Do You Think You Are? Conference 2009: Debuting DNA

This year companies who do DNA testing for genealogy purposes made their debut at the world’s largest genealogy conference, Who Do You Think You Are? A few companies had booths, but in my passing I never saw more than a couple of people at any one of them with the exception of Family Tree DNA. This biggest question I had was: Where were Oxford Ancestry and Ethnoancestry DNA companies? I had expected them to have booths, also.

Family Tree DNA not only performed DNA testing at their booth, but had a series of speakers for the three days who discussed the basics of testing for genealogists and success stories related to the UK. I had decided to attend the conference as an excuse to get back to London as well as being a part of the world’s largest genealogy conference with its debut of genetic genealogy. However, as FTDNA’s booth was so busy, I spent most of Friday and Saturday helping them answer questions and swabbing testers. As a speaker for genetic genealogy, I knew I could be of assistance. It was wonderful meeting so many people and being able to share my knowledge with them.

As a result, our UK Debutant, Family Tree DNA, accomplished what they expected and plans to return next year. They also received an invitation to join The Gathering 2009, an International Gathering of the Clans in Edinburgh this summer. Oh, how I wish I could be there! (Donations for my attendance are being accepted now! LOL)

Below is a few photos at the Family Tree DNA booth and presentation stage, taken when things were calm enough to take pictures.

Katherine Borges, Maureen Taylor, and Emily

Max Blankfeld

Katherine Hope Borges

Saturday was Scottish Day. This group entertained the line awaiting entrance.

At the end of the day: Doron Behar (mtDNA specialist), Michael Hammer (Heads the University of Arizona lab for FTDNA) and Max Blankfeld (FTDNA V-P)

No comments:

Welcome to My Genetic Genealogy Blog

To Order at DNA test kit from FTDNA through this blog

...1. Click on the FTDNA icon search button (above).
...2. Enter the _(your surname here)_ surname in the upper right where it says: SEARCH
...3. On the next page, click on the surname you chose in #2.
...4. Follow any instructions. Scroll to the bottom of the page and click on JOIN.

NOTE: If you are not certain there is a DNA project for your surname or if you are only testing your mtDNA (female line), put the name of an area such as CAMPANIA in the search field or wait until you receive your results and locate your haplogroup. The Campania area project is not one of my projects, but I will find you an appropriate project when your results arrive.
..........You want to join through a project to get the cheapest rates.

...........Email me if you have questions before you order your test.

Presentations

.....Presentations for both the Genetic Genealogy and for the writing sessions are normally two hours, but can be adapted. I prefer an computer projector for with a screen and a table for displaying my DNA book and/or writing booklet.
.....Your group can photocopy the handouts or I will do so for $.05 per side. If speaking within the general area of Portland, Oregon I do not charge for mileage or travel expenses. Outside of the general Portland area, I do require the IRS amount of $.56 per mile. If I need to stay over night, a motel room or staying with a non-smoking female will be necessary.
.....Although, as a member of the International Society of Genetic Genealogists (ISOGG), I cannot ask for a speaker's fee for the Genetic Genealogy presentations, but I can accept an honorarium. This is not the case with the writing classes. $75 is the standard.
Email: aulicino@hevanet.com

Recommendations and Compliments

Genetic Genealogy

"Emily Aulicino is one of the most dynamic people I know. Her energy and enthusiasm has helped make Oregon the largest member per capita region in all of ISOGG. Emily’s educator background is apparent and complimentary to her speaking engagements which create a presentation that is easy-to-understand for any novice. Her reputation has made her an immensely popular speaker throughout the Pacific Northwest which has resulted in nationwide requests. Emily is a proven leader who welcomes a challenge. She manages many people and projects with skill and ability that can only be innate. I have the utmost confidence that Emily will excel at any task presented to her and I look forward to many more years working with her."
-------Katherine Borges, Director of the International Society of Genetic Genealogy (ISOGG)

Unsolicited Comments:

Barbara in Washington wrote:
I just wanted to touch base with you and tell you how impressed I was with your lectures today. They were fun and up, and you were able to explain the DNA process to me in terms that I could understand.

"Memoing" My Memories - Unsolicited Testimony

Rhonda in Oregon writes:
The writing tip you gave us Thursday is great! I went right to my stash of journals (I have trouble journaling, but love the books!), and made a page for every year since my birth year.
I’m very excited to start writing my memories down. Thanks again for a fantastic tip!!

Anne in Michigan writes:
"So many times I have sat down and tried to write out my life's story. I got so bored with myself that I never got more than a few pages done. This method has totally changed my outlook and has renewed my lifelong interest to write about my life so that my children will have something to remember me by.
I am psyched, pumped and ready to go now!”

Beth in Texas writes:
“I am finding the topics very helpful in writing about things I would have never thought about before. These topics give me an opportunity not to dwell on the unhappy times in my life, and remember some of the less important, but memorable topics that I'd like to pass on to my children. I'll still write about unhappy times, but they will be sprinkled in with other memories.”

Jan in Kentucky writes:
“Emily, you do so very much for so many, and it is so appreciated! You also have broken my writing block, and I appreciate that...if not for you, I don't know that I would have had the heart to return to it. You truly are doing a lot of good with that list of yours and the effects will be known for years and generations for so many. I think sometimes we just need to tell you that.”

Bob in Sherwood, Oregon writes:
THANKS to you I started writing my "story" last Friday. If it wasn't for you I probably wouldn't have started it. It's all your fault...You, You, "Inspirator", You! Telling us
to write in "pictures". If I started it prior to your presentation it would have begun... "I was born on October 29, 1944 in Jamestown, New York". Needless to say you had a GREAT impact on my writing.

Bill in New Jersey writes:
Just a short note to says thanks to you, Emily, for the prompts. I especially like the way in which you write the suggestions to go along with the prompts.

Books About Childhood Memories and Family Stories

As most of you know I seldom read fiction, and as a result, I am interested in books that are historical in nature and/or tell the stories of people's lives. The following list is some books that I have read which are by people I know, people who are related to me, people I have met, and people with whom I've corresponded for a time. Proudly, I have each author's autograph, and I'm beginning to think of this as a new collection/hobby of mine! .

Each of these stories have great struggles and challenges. Some are of childhood while others occurred when the author was an adult. I hope that you will find them interesting as I have. They are truly a slice of our American Life!