Date of First Contact: June 17, 2011
Type of Contact: DNA Match (Y-DNA and Autosomal)
Location at Time of Contact: California (born Connecticut)
How This Contact Began
This first contact originated through early DNA testing, when Judith Spivak reached out after identifying a 12/12 Y-DNA marker match. At the time, DNA genealogy was still emerging, and few extended family members had pursued genetic testing.
Judith explained that her family’s male lineage was limited and that her father, John Chester Spivak, had already passed away. In an effort to preserve genetic information, DNA was extracted from personal artifacts, including hearing aids, and submitted for further analysis.
This outreach represented the earliest documented DNA-based inquiry connected to the MyCousins project.
Research Focus
Over the course of multiple exchanges, the discussion explored:
- Y-DNA marker comparisons and mutation analysis
- Autosomal DNA testing across platforms
- Eastern European origins, including Poland, Austria, and the Carpathian region
- Immigration through Ellis Island in the early 20th century
- Limitations of early DNA databases and lab compatibility
Although the genetic relationship appeared to be distant, the correspondence provided valuable insight into surname evolution, regional migration patterns, and the practical realities of early DNA genealogy.
Later Correspondence
Nearly a decade after the initial contact, communication resumed in 2020 as DNA tools, databases, and family research interests expanded. Additional autosomal testing was discussed, records were reexamined, and prior assumptions were revisited with updated knowledge.
While no definitive close relationship was established, the renewed dialogue reinforced the importance of preserving early DNA work and recognizing its role in shaping future genealogical understanding.
Why This First Contact Matters
This exchange stands as the earliest known external DNA-based contact in the MyCousins archive. It highlights both the promise and limitations of early genetic genealogy and underscores how long-term preservation of correspondence, data, and context can benefit future researchers.
First contacts are not always about immediate answers. Sometimes, they mark the beginning of a longer story—one that only becomes meaningful years later.