For $subst('Recip.EmailAddr') March 18, 2004 With the recent launch of two online genealogy DNA databases—Ysearch (http://www.ysearch.org; see the June 2004 Family Tree Magazine) and the Sorenson Molecular Genealogy Foundation (http://www.smgf.org; see the article below)—we're curious: How many of you have contributed your DNA to such a database? Have you ever searched a site for genetic matches—and did you find any? Whether or not you've ever used a DNA database, what do you think of this branch of genealogy—is it the best brick-wall buster since FamilySearch.org (http://www.familysearch.org), or is it an unreliable genealogical shortcut? Somewhere between the two? We'd love to know what you think, so send us an e-mail at ftmnews-editor@fwpubs.com. And happy St. Patrick's Day! —Diane Haddad, Newsletter Editor ftmnews-editor@fwpubs.com P.S. Make sure you don't miss a single issue of your Email Update! Add our address (familytree-newsletter@fwpubs.com) to your email-address book—your software will recognize the Update as an e-mail you want to read. Say Goodbye to GENDEX NGS Combines GENTECH, Annual Conference Why DNA? Breezy TrEZy Research AncestorNews: States of Mind Tip of the Week: Ellis Advice Sneak Peeks at FamilyTreeMagazine.com Now What? Online: Smack-down Identifying Family Photographs: An Updated Look Speakers' Schedule Advertiser Special Offers SAY GOODBYE TO GENDEX Act now if you haven't searched GENDEX (http://www.gendex.com), a genealogy index site featured in the December 2003 Family Tree Magazine article on top pedigree database sites. In a brief announcement last week, GENDEX owner Gene Stark said he'll suspend operation and remove all genealogy data from the system April 22. GENDEX went online in March 1996. GENDEX itself isn't a pedigree database, so it contains little original information. But it does index more than 22,000 online databases of genealogical information on 60 million people. That means you can view data from many Web sites without visiting each site. Basic searching of GENDEX is free; advanced searching costs $10. The time and cost necessary to run the site, for which Stark didn't accept advertising, contributed to the decision to go offline. A decrease in registrations for Stark's shareware program GED2HTML, which translates GEDCOM files into HTML for posting on Web pages, further reduced revenue. Many genealogy computer programs now perform the translation automatically. (But GED2HTML shareware still will be available from http://www.starkeffect.com:80/ged2html.) Stark points out that most of the data his site indexes were from just two genealogy Web sites, anyway. "The original concept for GENDEX was as a kind of portal that would provide unified point of access to a large number of databases, spread throughout the Web, that would otherwise be very hard to find and search systematically using other techniques," Stark says. But a recent analysis showed that 85 percent of the databases his site indexes are from the GenCircles (http://www.gencircles.com) Web site, and another 5 percent are from My-Ged.com (http://www.my-ged.com). You can search both sites individually. Stark said his Web-site hosting services also will be discontinued; he's notified the affected Webmasters. NGS Combines GENTECH, Annual Conference The National Genealogical Society (NGS, http://www.ngsgenealogy.org) plans to combine its 2005 GENTECH genealogy-technology conference with its 2005 Conference in the States, scheduled for next June in Nashville, Tenn. The move is an effort to cut costs after NGS officers discovered late last year that the organization's investment account had shrunk from $500,000 to $50,000 over four months. (Read more in the Jan. 22 E-mail Update at http://www.familytreemagazine.com/newsletter/012204.html.) NGS merged with GENTECH in 2002, and cancelled the next year's conference due to administrative and financial problems. See our report on the 2004 GENTECH conference—which may be the last one—at http://www.familytreemagazine.com/newsletter/020504.html. In another money-saving measure, NGS has put its Arlington, Va. headquarters on the market. Proceeds from the sale of Glebe House—a mid-1800s building listed on the National Register of Historic Places—will cover relocation expenses and member services, as well as offset losses to NGS' investment account. WHY DNA? The Sorenson Molecular Genealogy Foundation (SMGF), which is carrying on the Molecular Genealogy Research Project that Brigham Young University (BYU) began in 2000, has debuted a genealogy Y-DNA database at http://www.smgf.org. The site catalogs Y-DNA test data from men who've contributed their DNA to the project. The SMGF database contains 5,500 individuals so far, with more to be added regularly, says project director Dr. Scott Woodward. Although SMGF has analyzed DNA samples from 40,000 individuals, only the 18,000 to 20,000 samples from men can be included in the database. That's because it tracks results from tests on the Y chromosome, which is inherited by men. SMGF researchers' goal is to collect 100,000 samples from around the world, which would give the database wider-ranging genealogical benefits, Woodward says. He estimates that 13,000 people search the database per day, down from 20,000 per day right after the March 1 launch. Anyone who's had a Y-DNA test can search the SMGF site for free by using pull-down menus to enter results for each of 28 genetic markers. Individuals who have test results for 12, 18 or 24 markers can still perform searches; they just skip the markers for which they lack results. A woman who wants to search the databse can enter test results from a male blood relative. You can add your own DNA to the database by requesting SMGF's free GentiRinse "mouthwash" DNA sampling kit, but you won't receive any information about your DNA unless you pay $200 for a results report. Molecular Genealogy Research Project staff initially traveled to genealogy conferences and Family History Centers to gather blood samples for the DNA database. Now the project collects samples primarily by mail. Utah billionaire James Sorenson, owner of Sorenson Development, funded the Molecular Genealogy Research Project from its beginnings at BYU, and his SMGF took on the project after it outgrew the university's capabilities. Project managers also wanted to maintain autonomy from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, which sponsors BYU, says Woodward. He adds that the same researchers and laboratories are handling the DNA samples. BREEZY TREEZY RESEARCH FamilyToolbox.net recently announced the launch of TreEZy (http://www.treezy.com), a Web site that indexes the full text of genealogy and history Web pages. TreEZy will help you find information that's buried on a site and not easily uncovered by following links, say owners Matthew and April Helm. The site indexes more than 1 million Web pages. You can perform a basic freeform search, an advanced search and a name search. An advanced search on a family surname "Frost" along with "kentucky" and "birth" yielded 116 hits, including family Web sites, cemetery transcriptions and surname research group pages. Results would be more helpful if they displayed the URLs of the sites they're linked to—unless the name of a Web page is sufficiently descriptive, you can't tell what site you're visiting until you get there. Other FamilyToolbox.net Web sites include Sources2Go.com (http://sources2go.com), GenealogyDirect.com (http://genealogydirect.com) and GenealogyPortal.com (http://genealogyportal.com). STATES OF MIND Having trouble tracking down those elusive ancestors? In this biweekly, Web-exclusive column at http://www.familytreemagazine.com/specialoffers.asp?FAMancestorcurrent, contributing editor Nancy Hendrickson points to new and helpful ways to do your computer-related genealogy research. This week, she writes about online resources for Pennsylvania and Ohio records transcriptions. Nancy Hendrickson is a family historian, freelance writer and the author of "Finding Your Roots Online," on sale now at http://www.familytreemagazine.com/specialoffers.asp?EMfyro. Browse the archive of her AncestorNews columns online at http://www.familytreemagazine.com/specialoffers.asp?FAMancestorarchive. ELLIS ADVICE This week's tip comes from Pamela P. Jensen: "Something worth knowing about the Ellis Island site (http://www.ellisisland.org) is that in addition to immigrants, some US citizens are listed in the records. My grandparents were teaching missionaries to Turkey before World War I, and when the Turks ejected the mission compound from the country (the Turks opposed the Allies during the war), the missionaries retuned through New York. I found the entry records for about 40 of the group, even though they were US citizens. I found my grandfather's name several times, since he went back to the Near East after World War I." Do you have a great idea for discovering, preserving or celebrating family history? E-mail us your tip at ftmnews-editor@fwpubs.com with "TIP OF THE WEEK" in the subject line. If we publish it, you'll win a free copy of Scrapbook Storytelling by Joanna Campbell-Slan, also available for purchase online at http://www.familytreemagazine.com/store/display.asp?id=70450. Be first to check out these new articles on our Web site: Net Navigators No matter where your ancestors hail from, researching the "old country" can be confusing, especially if you're trying to pinpoint a place of the past. We've compiled a list of the Web's best mapping tools to get you moving in the right direction. http://www.familytreemagazine.com/articles/apr04/maps.html Stop the Spam! Tired of junk e-mail? We've found six spam-fighting solutions that are sure to keep your inbox clutter-free. http://www.familytreemagazine.com/articles/apr04/spam.html Unburying the Hatchet Supposedly, there's a black sheep in every family. But what if the black sheep in your family were an alleged double-murderess? Discover a spooky Hollywood connection to the infamous Lizzie Borden in this month's Celebri-Trees. http://www.familytreemagazine.com/articles/apr04/celebritrees.html Your Wild Irish Roots What better way to celebrate St. Patrick's Day than to trace your ancestors back to the auld sod? Our Irish Ethnic Toolkit can help you get started. You'll find expert advice from the authors of A Genealogist's Guide to Discovering Your Irish Ancestors (Betterway Books, $19.99, available at http://www.familytreemagazine.com/store/display.asp?id=70512). We've also included research tips and a list of CD-ROM databases that are sure to help you find the end of the rainbow. http://www.familytreemagazine.com/ethnic_cat.asp?ethnicity=Irish SMACK-DOWN Q: In London, England, what would a smack owner be? It's listed in the city directory. A: Whenever an unusual phrase or word turns up, I visit my local library to use the Oxford English Dictionary (OED), second edition. Not only do I find the word I'm looking for, but also the history of its usage. In this case, according to the OED, "a smack is a single-masted sailing vessel, fore-and-aft rigged like a sloop or cutter" used for fishing. A smack owner was the owner of one of those vessels and suggests an occupation as a fisherman. —Maureen A. Taylor Maureen A. Taylor is the author of Scrapbooking Your Family History (Betterway Books, $24.99), available for purchase at http://www.familytreemagazine.com/store/display.asp?id=70633. To read more of her advice for decoding archaic terms you find in genealogial douments, see the April 2004 Family Tree Magazine. AN UPDATED LOOK Expert photo historian Maureen A. Taylor helps readers analyze old family pictures in her Web-exclusive column Identifying Family Photographs. This week, she analyzes an image in which the clothing clues and the subjects' life dates don't seem to add up. http://www.familytreemagazine.com/specialoffers.asp?FAMcurrentphotos. If you have a family photo mystery for Taylor to solve, check out our Submission Guidelines at http://www.familytreemagazine.com/specialoffers.asp?FAMphotosubmission. Boston Maureen A. Taylor March 24 New England Historic Genealogical Society Topic: Connecting to Rhode Island Visit http://www.newenglandancestors.org. Stafford, Texas Emily Anne Croom March 24 Borders Books Topic: The Genealogist's Companion and Sourcebook, 2nd Edition Call (281) 240-6666. Las Vegas Sharon DeBartolo Carmack March 27 Clark County, Nev. Genealogical Society Topics: Flesh on the Bones: Putting Your Ancestor into Historical Perspective Oral History: Use It or Lose It The Immigrant Experience: From Steerage to Ellis Island Love Letters, Diaries & Autobiographies: Let's Leave 'Em Something to Talk About Contact Margaret Louis at mailto:mlouis@ccmail.nevada.edu. Find out about more upcoming speaking engagements and family history experts on FamilyTreeMagazine.com at http://www.familytreemagazine.com/specialoffers.asp?FAMspeakers. GenSmarts Automated Genealogy Research - "amazingly easy and convenient" says Family Tree Magazine. Get a free trial copy at http://www.GenSmarts.com Were your ancestors from the United Kingdom? We sell vintage postcards, artwork and maps showing views of the UK. Visit our website www.pastviews.com UNIQUE SCANDINAVIAN HERITAGE TOURS Visit ancestral villages, parish churches, archives, connect with family. Fluent guides and genealogy experts included. www.scandgen.com The National Genealogical Society has AMA records on most American physicians who died from 1906-1969. www.ngsgenealogy.org/library/deceasedphysicians.htm Did your paper trail end? Are you up against a brick wall? Let genetic genealogy help you. Family Tree DNA can help you find out if you are related to another family with the same or a different surname. http://www.familytreedna.com PUBLISH YOUR FAMILY HISTORY. Preserve and share your precious family research. Personal coaching. Many options.  www.GatewayPress.com Berlin, Brandenburg and Pomerania -- Research in church, state, town and other archives. Personal heritage tours. Free assessments. Markus Röhling M.Th., Berlin, pirlau@gmx.net, http://www.ogygia.de CookBook Maker™ 2000 helps you make a family food heritage by using easy to follow templates for typing is recipes and printing your heritage cookbook.  www.CookBook-Maker.com Eneclann is delighted to announce our new CD-ROM: Counties in Time published in partnership with the National Archives of Ireland. Order from http://www.eneclann.ie PRINTING & BOOKBINDING:  We are now printing with ink on our new HP Indigo 4-color press. 51 years in business.    www.familyheritagepublishers.com Missing something? Get your issues up to date Get back issues of Family Tree Magazine here. Explore past issues of the family tree magazine update Access all previous issues of this newsletter. Family Tree News Service Get free articles for your genealogy newsletter or Web site. Sponsor this newsletter For information on sponsoring this newsletter or to receive a rate card, e-mail aferguson@longshoremedia.com. 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Entire Contents Copyright© 2004 F+W Publications, Inc. 4700 East Galbraith Road, Cincinnati, OH 45236 All Rights Reserved April 2004 Issue Table of Contents Subscribe Now! We guarantee that Family Tree Legends will be the easiest and most powerful program you've ever used