I first got interested in tracking my family roots back during the 1970's, at that time it was all done with paper and pencil. I was able to have some success with running down my ancestors with trips to various libraries. Having a full time job as well as other things that needed attention left very little time for my family research especially since most of it required hours spent in the previously mentioned libraries.
A friend and I went to the library in Pensacola one day during the early 1990's, and when we were in the part of the library where the copy of the records are kept, he ask me who will you be researching today. I told him a specific family from a county about a hundred miles from here, and I referred to them as outlaws. A woman I had never seen about two table from where we were stood up and said, “I one of those outlaws from that county.” I looked at her and said, “are you on parole or did you escape.” She looked at me and said, you really are one of us aren't you, I told her “yes I am.”
Since that time technology has made doing family research much easier with personal computers and the internet coming into popular use, especially with new companies coming along with the specific job of providing software for gathering information on family research.
Several years after the internet began to play a more important role in family research, we had a all around new source of information with companies doing DNA research for people who send in a sample of their DNA.
There are always concerns about privacy and safety when it comes to something like having your DNA checked. This especially comes to mind after the recent capture of the Golden State Killer by using DNA from one of these genealogy companies. T
here are many things that you can learn from having your DNA checked, a lot of people that I've heard from have found family members using DNA. I have found some that I knew of but didn't know how to find them. Once we had our DNA run, the information came back telling us how to contact each other.
I had someone who had just recently had her DNA processed and then got in touch with me to let me know that so far I was her closest living relative, a second cousin. She had her DNA checked because she was adopted when she was a baby and had no idea who her real family members are.
Having your DNA checked is a personal matter and now besides checking on your ancestors, some companies offer a medical profile for a extra charge, I haven't had my DNA checked for medical purposes but I've heard from a few people that it's pretty accurate, for my family research I've found my DNA results to be pretty accurate.
I have about six or eight people on my DNA circle that I know personally and the results have them right where they should be on my chart, on the other hand I've heard from some people who said their results were off by a generation or so.
Coming up on May 5th is the big day for the Alger Sullivan Historical Society, it's the annual Sawmill Day, Heritage Festival and Car Show. There will be day long free entertainment beginning around 8 AM.
There will be free history museum tours, free exhibits, there will also be crafts and goods along with contest and prizes. Fresh grilled hamburger meals will be available along with other refreshments The awards will begin around 3 PM. The Alger Sullivan Historical Society meets the 3rd Tuesday of the month, at 610 4th St. in Century, all are welcome.
