Announcing DNAGedcom

For me, this road began 9 months before I was born - in October, 1944 when I was conceived. I now know who my parents were and I have to believe that at that time, with the raging of World War II on everybody's mind and in everybody's life, that my parents, as young as they were, were overwhelmingly affected by it all. I imagine their conversations about the possibility of my father entering the service and the long term prospects of that. Would he ever return? Would he be the same person after returning? (My father did join the Navy in 1945). I imagine their need to reach out for love and closeness at the time and completely understand the beginnings of their yet to be born daughter. As an adult, I continued to wonder about who these people were and in 1982 began the search for their identity. They are now real people to me even though they are long deceased and I relish the thought of my upcoming trip to Connecticut to meet my only surviving close family member, my brother. Over the years I became heavily involved in the genealogy community, learning skills that would help me find my family. During this time I began to help others in their quest for unknown ancestors, whether they were adoptees or just someone stumbling over a brick wall. Over the past couple of years, I have become more and more involved with the Adoption and DNA communities.  It has all evolved with a group of dedicated people into a new company being formed to help others find those family mysteries with the help of DNA - DNAGedcom, LLC.  

We have announced the launch of a new website DNAGedcom. 

Thank you, Cece Moore, my friend, colleague and mentor, for posting this to your blog YourGeneticGenealogist.

TUESDAY, JANUARY 8, 2013

Brought to you by the DNAadoption Community...DNAGedcom

I think most people know how highly I think of the work that the DNAadoption Community is doing. They are a proactive group of incredibly intelligent and talented individuals who have banded together with a common cause - to give hope to all adoptees searching for their heritage. I am proud to say that I often collaborate with members of their community and can count a handful of them among my closest colleagues.

Fortunately, for the rest of us non-adoptees, their innovative work is starting to benefit us all. The methodology that they have created for their adoption cases has recently resulted in many success stories and can be applied to most any relatively recent genealogical brick wall. They have created ways to streamline the work of autosomal DNA matching and analysis and are now offering to share this with the rest of the genetic genealogy community.

The New DNAGedcom Site

The new website DNAGedcom delivers some of the tools that are most often requested from the major DNA genealogy companies. In this first phase of development, developer Rob Warthen has recently enabled access for all users to the FTDNA Family Finder and 23andMe downloads (though he cautions users that, at this early stage, there may still be bugs to work out). Through DNAGedcom it is now possible to download a full list of your matches, including the matching segment data from both companies. Those of us who have worked extensively with autosomal DNA for genealogy, know what a huge time saver this is. For me, with over 1000 shares on my main account at 23andMe, it has saved me tens if not hundreds of hours.

Users are required to register to use the site, but it is a quick and easy process.

Create an Account

For Family Tree DNA's Family Finder, this means that instead of downloading the matching segments from the Chromosome Browser five at a time, it can be done all at once. You can also download a file of "In Common With" matches, which formerly had to be checked and compiled one-by-one. To use the ICW tool, you still must assign each of your Family Finder matches to a specific relationship like "Distant Cousin" (which is certainly true for the vast number of our matches) until such time that FTDNA removes that requirement for their filter. (At the 2012 FTDNA Administrators' Conference, they announced their intention to do so.)

Family Tree DNA Tools

For 23andMe, this means that instead of downloading the matching segments for Family Inheritance Advanced three at a time, it is now possible to download a file with all the matching segment data for each of your matches that you are sharing genomes with all at once. If you have a single profile on your account, the Ancestry Finder matching files will also be downloaded. I usually integrate the public matches from the Ancestry Finder file with the Family Inheritance Advanced data to create a master spreadsheet of all available matching segments for each of the profiles I manage.

23andMe Tools

There is even a place to store your spreadsheets (.csv files up to 200 KB)!

Member Spreadsheet Storage

This website is still in the early development stages, but intends to continue to deliver the most often requested tools to the genetic genealogy community. In fact, there is already a full featured phase two version of the site with even more highly desirable capabilities in development. (Rob tells me that improving AncestryDNA's functionality is next on the list!) The site is currently run solely on donations and affiliate income. The website agreement can be found here and is linked to directly from the home page. Any problems with the site should be directed to support@dnagedcom.com.

There are lots of exciting plans in store over at DNAGedcom and I am thrilled to be joining the team that will be further developing this groundbreaking new site. So far, we are:

Robert Warthen - Chief Technology Officer
Karin Corbeil - Chief Operating Officer
Diane Harman-Hoog - President
James Kelley – Professional Technologist and Systems Programmer
Gaye Tannenbaum – Technology Advisor
Patty Drabing – Principal Researcher and Advisor
CeCe Moore – Genetic Genealogy Advisor

Those of you familiar with adoption search, may recognize the names of some of our top search angels there. Their experience and expertise, combined with that of our very talented technology experts has made for a powerful team.

So, go check it out, but please don't crash the server! (JK - Rob tells me it is stable.)

New and Innovative Ways to Help Find Unknown Ancestors

Several years ago I began to study the possibility of doing DNA testing with the ultimate goal of seeing if it could possibly help me to find my birth family.  I took a couple of courses on DNA at the local university and started reading everything I could get my hands on about DNA.

I contacted my good friend, Cece Moore, Your Genetic Genealogist, who I had been corresponding with for years on our genealogical connections. Cece has become the guru of DNA information and analysis combining it with her love of genealogy. And basically this combination is beginning to become the new innovative method of identifying unknown ancestors, whether you are adopted or not.

Before I get into the DNA angle, let me list some suggestions for adoptees. 

1. Put together a file with all the information you have on your birth and adoption, including copies of any birth or adoption documents that you may have and keep some kind of journal to record any progress.

2. Have you or are you working with anyone else to help them find your families? Occasionally we find that some adoptees have contacted other search angels who already have done some work. This prevents duplication of efforts.

3. Do you have non-identifying information provided by an agency?  If not, it is one of the first things you should try and get, if available. If you are unsure as to how to do that, we can help.

4. Are you registered with any state adoption registries? Have you posted your search to any online adoption registries or databases?

6. Depending on which state you were born and/or adopted in, you may already be eligible for original birth certificates or other information. Nineteen states do have some records open, either complete or partial. See list of states here: List of states with partial or full open records

We also recommend you join the yahoo group DNAadoption at Yahoo groups, an extremely active group with experts in all areas of DNA and adoptee searching.

What DNA tests should you do?

For males usually anything less than Y-DNA37 is essentially useless in identifying a surname. Males should have done at least Y-DNA37 unless they only have a few matches at a lower level.  If you already have done Y-DNA12 or Y-DNA25 and you have a number of matches, you should upgrade to at least Y-DNA37. Males should also do their autosomal DNA ("atDNA") (Family Finder at FTDNA; Relative Finder at 23andMe).

Females should have their atDNA done (Family Finder or Relative Finder).

For both males and females, we have found that Mitochondrial DNA is not real helpful because it's usually much too far back (1,000s of years). For adoptees, it will be rare to find a match to your biological family in recent generations using only mtDNA.  If you wish to have your mtDNA done you should have the Full mitochondrial sequence ("FMS") done.

If you have known living biological ancestors (such as you know your mother, but not your father) additional DNA tests should be done on those biological family members to help in possible phasing of your data (analyzing and recognizing the segments that are maternal vs. paternal) and possibly see other matches based on the randomness of DNA.

Once your test results are posted, you should download your raw data and upload to GEDmatch (http://www.gedmatch.com). Fishing in two ponds is better than one. Additional information and instructions to upload to Gedmatch can be found at http://www.dnaadoption.com

GEDmatch is a FREE, non-profit, “do-it-yourself” genomics website that allows DNA testers to upload raw data from FTDNA and other companies to compare with a large database of data that has been voluntarily uploaded by other testers.

My Tests

I had my DNA first tested at Family Tree DNA and also at 23andMe.  Both companies are recognized with state of the art testing, each has their pros and cons as I have discovered, but their analyses are well respected within the DNA community. I also more recently tested with AncestryDNA but that's another story for another blog post.  Nothing wrong there, they are just not geared to those of us who are interested in more detailed information regarding our results.  It can be helpful for some but since most adoptees have no idea of their ancestry, and have no family tree to link their results to, it may not be as helpful, unless you know at least some in your biological family and can post a tree to link your results.

For a female my only options were autosomal DNA ("atDNA") and/or mitochondrial DNA ("mtDNA").  At the time I was not well enough versed in which tests would give me the most bang for my buck, I opted to take the Family Finder (atDNA) plus mtDNA.  The 23andMe test automatically includes both, and Y-DNA for males. These tests are not cheap and spending $300 is not unusual. Sometimes FTDNA and 23andMe run sales which can save you at least 20% if not more.

The day finally came when my results were posted.  The dream of every adoptee is to have a 2nd cousin or better match on atDNA tests.  A 2nd cousin match would mean that you shared the same great grandparents.  As we only have a total of 8 great grandparents, this narrows down the field considerably of possible descendants who could be your birth parents.  The further back we go the more descendants to wade through. But I was beginning to realize that it was not impossible.....difficult and tedious? Yes, but the thought entered my mind.....why hasn't this been explored further? My years of work in genealogy was the perfect match for attempting something like this.  The skills I had learned could certainly be put to use in solving this mystery.

Next Step

I joined a few adoptee mailing lists. Eventually I found the awesome and extremely active DNAadoption at YahooGroups which had been recently started. Early on, not many of us were extremely well versed in DNA analysis but we all knew that this avenue of possibly solving the mysteries of our heritage was a new road we all wished to be traveling. Today there are close to 500 members of this group.  We have people who are experts in Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry, Y-DNA, German adoptions, search angels who comb records, and many others.  I contacted Cece and told her about it and said, "We could really use your help here."  She joined and has been one of our biggest assets and cheerleaders. We are all learning more and more and we all agreed that there definitely was a "method to our madness."

I also joined DNA-Newbie at YahooGroups moderated by Cece. Although not specifically geared towards adoptees, this list is a "must read" for anybody attempting DNA analysis. Another active mailing list is genealogy-dna@rootsweb.com which may address more complex matters regarding DNA but it is well worth putting on your reading list.  A great place to learn.

Each day I learn something new from the people on these lists. The subject matter on DNA is excruciatingly complex.  Many times I have to read an article 6 times for it to sink it. But the more I read, I realized that this intricate technology could be the latest innovation in finding my Foleys. The world of DNA is changing as we speak. Just in the last few months new discoveries and new methods are changing how scientists understand this once little known phenomenon.

Methods and tools are now being developed that will help adoptees in their searches. I met Rob Warthen on the AdoptionDNA list.  His expertise in programming and development along with his inspiration to help find his wife's birth family has led him to pioneer the development of tools and programs that has eased the process of retrieving DNA data and make it easier to manipulate. His website DNAGedcom.com is being developed to add these tools in a web based format. We all hope that 2013 will show a new growth of the use of these tools and programs with the ultimate goal of finding adoptees' place in their biological families.

What's Next

Cece Moore, Rob Warthen and I recently spoke at the 8th International Conference on Genetic Genealogy in Houston explaining the methodology.  It was well received and those of us involved are continuing to try and make it easier for adoptees to understand and use the tools. There is a light shining brightly at the end of that unknown tunnel and the methodologies have already been proven.  I expect that in the next year or two as new developments occur in the field of DNA we will begin to see a flood of questions answered for many adoptees.

Summary

The theory is simple - Find your DNA matches; Find others who match people on your list of matches by comparing chromosomal segments and overlaps; Find the ancestors of those matches; how they connect and work ancestral trees both linearly and laterally with the ultimate goal of finding your place in that family.

The execution is hard work, complex and tedious - but it can be done.  It has been done!

Suggested Reading

Richard Hill, one of my co-administrators at the Global Adoptee Genealogical Project at FTDNA, tells the story of his decades-long search for biological family and the innovative use of genetic genealogy DNA tests to identify his birth father. I highly recommend this well written book for anybody searching for their unknown ancestors.  http://www.FindingFamilyBook.com

Karin Corbeil/Carol Lee Foley

Daughter of Edward & Helen Rasmussen Baum and Robert & Barbara Foley Shumsky

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