Family and Forebears

 

I have uploaded my autosomal DNA to three of the big DNA testing companies. This year, they have updated their ethnic breakdowns. I thought I would create a chart to show the difference in my results between the three. I have tested with Family Tree DNA (they were the first for me), AncestryDNA, and I uploaded my raw data to MyHeritage as well.

Here is a chart outlining the differences between the three companies

Scleroderma (systemic sclerosis) is an autoimmune rheumatic disease that can cause hardening of the skin, circulation problems, scarring of the lungs, organ failure, stiff joints and digestive issues. In the worst cases, this chronic connective tissue disease can lead to death.  More research is needed to help find a cure.

I've included a few links that have a lot more information about this rare disease.  There are many more depending on where you are in the world, these links focus on North America.

I have made some updates to Family and Forebears "Family Pages".  The biggest change that I have made are new ancestor charts.  I have updated all eight of the charts with updated information and I've also standardized them to four generations.  I have embedded these from my Google Docs, so you will be able to zoom in and out to view the information more clearly.

Most of these charts go back a little further than four generations in my database.  If you are looking for an old chart that had more info please contact me - I can send you an email with what you are looking for.  Why did I limit it to four generations? Two reasons, it looks nicer, but also because the further I go back the greater the chance of errors.  So, to make sure I don't provide inaccurate information I've only included the ancestors I'm confident about.  All of these charts start with one of my Great Grandparents.

You can have a look at the new charts by hovering over "Family Pages" in the top bar and select a surname, or you can click one of these links.

The Barnes and Howell Family Page

The Davidson and Liscombe Family Page

The Hoogland and van der Mee Family Page

The Warren and Shepherd Family Page

My goal in the next few months is to create biography posts.  I would like to take the information I have collected in my database and share it though a blog post dedicated to one person at a time.  If you would like to follow updates and new posts you can subscribe to emails.  Just enter your email address under "Follow by Email" in the right sidebar.

Until next time...

If you are like most serious genealogists, you've likely had a DNA test done.  I have, and I've tested both of my parents and both of my Grandmothers.  I have also tested my sister, my husband and my In-Laws.  Why so many?  I'm a bit obsessed with proving my research with genetic links to see if the paper trail I've been following (for years!) is the correct fork in the road.  I also use those tests to connect with cousins because they almost always know something about the family that I don't.  It has been a HUGE help with my research, but it has also brought up some ethical issues.

The biggest issue has been possible non-paternity events.  EVERY family tree will likely have a few, but when it's within the last few generations it can cause a lot of stir.  I have discovered a couple already, and even though I want to tell the match something isn't adding up I have to bite my tongue.  Take for example my Grandmother, she seems to have a few mystery cousins lately.  All her family is back in Holland aside from her descendants here in Canada.  Some of  her DNA matches (1-3rd cousins) don't share any of the same surnames in her pedigree but show they also match cousins with confirmed links.  My Grandmother is 93, she lived through WWII in the Netherlands and her parents lived through WWI.  There could be lots of possible scenarios as to why these matches don't share any surnames.  Were they the product of wartime romances?  Is their research wrong?  Is my research

I've been fascinated with my Great Great Grandfather, Duncan Barnes ever since I started researching my roots back in 2005. I hope to get to Newfoundland one day to find out more and visit the places he lived but for now, I'll have to settle for online research. Today I would like to share some information about my seafaring ancestor.

Duncan Barnes was born on Friday, March 20, 1863, in Harbour Grace, Newfoundland. He was the son of Ebenezer Webber Barnes and Jane Pike (possibly Parsons, I have conflicting information) and was baptized at the Methodist Church in Harbour Grace, Newfoundland on May 16, 1863.

Duncan was a Master Mariner that shipped cargo around Newfoundland and also took sealers up to the ice fields for their hunts. For a time he was the Captain of the S.S. Aggie, a steamer that took lumber and other supplies, as well as passengers around Newfoundland.

Duncan had three wives in total but also had an illegitimate child. As far as I can work out the mother