Author: Dr. John P. Elcik, IV

Dr. John P. Elcik, IV is married to Pamela McClanahan and they have two children: J.P. and Michelle. John is retired from a marketing career for administrative software in Higher Education. His interests include child advocacy (as a Mason and Shriner); animal rescue, education (especially eLearning), mysteries, and science fiction.
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Re: Rebecca Kashmer Davis

Tue, Mar 16, 2021, at 7:07 PM

Becky,

I am “over the moon” happy with your contribution.  It is exciting to get this and get it in time to include in the eBook. This is an important undertaking you did for us, and I shower you with accolades for doing it.
I am laughing out loud (Lol, the acronym not long enough) as I read the introduction to the book.  “Discouragement and unanswered letters,” being the result of efforts to write the book, sounds all too familiar. As I write in the eBook, I have been Ol’ Lonely, the Maytag repairman, or Rodney Dangerfield, the comedian who gets no respect.
I also am laughing that it took a subscription to finance the publication of the book. Thankfully, technology has changed, and we don’t have any fees to collect.
Again, I love what you submitted. Thank you!
I hope when you are ready to tackle the Kasmer surname that you allow me to help.  Beth has trained me, so I have experience.

I’m copying Beth on this so she sees what you sent. I doubt she will see it tonight. Beth is watching Jack play pool. Lol.

John, IV
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Re: Pete Lucas

Sat 1/9/2021 11:51 PM

Beth,

Sad news indeed. I also have heard from Cheryl Health and Janet Welsh.  I heard from both despite my Facebook account being suspended and then reactivated. Not sure how either happened.

Tomorrow, Pam and I will figure out some way to express our heartfelt condolences to all.
May Pete rest in peace as I know he was suffering in this world.
John, IV
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DNA Tests Status Report

Sun 1/10/2021 1:20 PM
Beth,
I’m still reviewing DNA results.  First, some statistics:
There were:
  • 27,890 matches
  • 25,890 distant matches
  • 1,999 close matches (4th cousin or closer
More significantly, my Ancestry.com test found 47 matches where I share a “common ancestor.”   This standard menu option filters DNA tests for those that link the DNA test with their family tree.
Did you notice when you filter by Common Ancestor that in the 3rd column, there is a HINT leaf next to the words Common Ancestor? The leaf icon is below the family tree icon that identifies the number of people in the selected individual’s tree.  Clicking on the icon has provided the extra help that I needed to identify more individuals.  It isn’t always easy as privacy still protects living people.
Also, it would be helpful if you would link Jack’s DNA to your tree. Even better yet, I would love for you to connect your DNA to your tree.  The latter might allow us to discover the additional theoretical link between Purrington’s in the Skillin family tree and Purinton’s in your family tree.
Yesterday, I received the results from a second DNA test I took with MyHeritage.  My ethnicity results are different enough that I need to do more research to understand them.
  • Europe: Irish, Scottish, and Welsh, 40.9%
  • East European, 30.0%
  • Balkan, 17.9%
  • Ashkenazi Jewish, 8.0%
  • Iberian, 3.2%

GENETIC GROUPS

  • French Canadians in Canada (Quebec) and the USA (Maine)
  • French settlers in Canada (Quebec) and the USA (New England)
  • USA (New England) and Eastern Canada

The increase in Irish, Scottish, and Welsh percentage is surprising.  Also, mentioning French Canadians for the second time is a surprise. I need to compare these results with my brother Jeff’s 23andMe test.

MyHeritage came up with 4,625 DNA Matches.  Only one close match and two extended family matches. I have yet to compare this with Ancestries results, but I will.

CLOSE MATCHES
EXTENDED FAMILY

My preliminary conclusion is that the Ancestry test is proving more straightforward to use and likely will be more useful. It will be interesting to see if I still feel this way after a couple of weeks of analyzing the results.

John, IV

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MyHeritage Message

Sun 1/17/2021 3:38 AM
Beth,
I sent the following to Earl using MyHeritage messenger.
John, IV
—————–

Earl,

This is Beth’s friend John Elcik, IV.
First, thank you very much for all the help you have given Beth Gamache and me. You are a rockstar when it comes to genealogy. Wow!
I was both surprised and pleased to see that MyHeritage says we have a DNA connection on top of everything.  We both have individuals with Ames, Hudon, Kinney, Libby, Williams, and Ward surnames in our trees. I, however, have yet to find the individuals connecting us on our family trees. I’ll keep on trying. Someday, all will be revealed.

Also, if you ever want access to the MyCousins Family tree, please ask. It would be a pleasure to share.

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DNA Cousins

Jan 17, 2021, at 2:15 pm

Yes I would like to see the tree.
I was surprised to see your name on DNA. Williams is my line, and my aunt married into the Ward line.
Sometimes Heritage does not let me access much because I’m really with 123&Me.
I talked to Beth today as I found Joseph and his family in Connecticut. She will post to you later as we sort it out.

Earl Williams