Category: The Contributors

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Re: Merry Christmas

Sat 12/26/2020 4:16 PM
Beth,
Wonderful! Me too, “plain ‘ole Mainah.’
Here, however, is a more pleasant description of Christmas Cuban style.  I’m not big on pork, so I was pleased with our traditional Turkey from the Honey Baked Ham store. ? We had Ana’s mom and a couple from Ana’s school join us, and that part was fun. Then it was just the family at Kathy’s on Christmas day. 
John, IV

Sat 12/26/2020 7:55 PM

As the saying goes, John, “A good time was had by all,” and that’s what’s important! – Beth

Sat 12/26/2020 7:56 PM
Amen. – John
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DNA Coaching

Wed 1/6/2021 3:02 PM
Judy and Beth,

My Genealogy Coaches

I’m writing to both of you as you both are my coaches.  To introduce you to each other:
  • Judy has been my DNA information source, and we hope to solidify the link between our families through DNA after her father’s DNA linked us.
  • Beth is my co-author of the MyCousins eBook.  Beth is also married to John Gamache (Jack), my 1rst cousin.

DNA Data Processed

My DNA kit from Ancestry.com has been processed.  It may take a couple of days for search engines to access as I just today made the MyCousins Family Tree public. This was necessary to enable search engines.  Public access still protects the privacy of living individuals.
I don’t think this solves my two brick walls. At least not yet. DNA can’t clarify the family relationship between Judy and myself or between John Elsik and John Ilcik. Not yet. I plan to download the raw data and submit it to other sites to improve my chances of doing both.
I also will be getting data from MyHeritage for comparison.
Todate, 6 People with DNA matches are on the Family Tree.
  • John Gamache (my paternal 1st cousin); Ancestry says 1st–2nd Cousin; Shared DNA: 1,099 cm across 30 segments.
  • Cheryl (Heath) Elcik (my paternal 1st cousin); Ancestry says 1st–2nd Cousin; Shared DNA: 790 cm across 31 segments.
  • Constance (Akerley) Lewis (my paternal 1st cousin); Ancestry says 1st–2nd Cousin; Shared DNA: 787 cm across 28 segments.
  • Scott Gebro (my 1st cousin, 1x removed); Ancestry says 1st–2nd Cousin; Shared DNA: 365 cm across 17 segments.
  • Heather Adams (my 2nd cousin); Ancestry says 2nd–3rd Cousin; Shared DNA: 238 cm across 12 segments.
  • Sue Elcik (my 2nd cousin); Ancestry says 2nd–3rd Cousin; Shared DNA: 232 cm across 11 segments.

This data is not as helpful as it could be as the Trees and the DNA test have not been linked by their owners.  This includes you, Beth. Lol.

Ethnicity Estimates

Meanwhile, this is what Ancestry.com gives as an Ethnicity Estimate.
  • Eastern Europe & Russia: 43%
  • England & Northwestern Europe: 20%
  • France: 18%
  • Scotland: 12%
  • Baltics: 6%
  • Ireland: 1%
  • Additional Communities: Southeastern Quebec French Settlers
Eastern Europe and Russia cover a lot of territories. Two subgroups actually:
  • Poland, Slovakia, Hungary & Romania
  • Eastern Hungary, Eastern Slovakia, Northwest Romania & Western Ukraine
My Great-grandfather’s birthplace on US Census records was Austria. This changes to Czechoslovakia in his obituary. The reason for this change is in the history of Europe, which I am researching.
Bottom line, this is all I know at the moment. I’ll keep you posted.
John, IV
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Re: Ancestry.com


Thu 1/7/2021 10:56 PM
Beth,

Thanks for the kind words. But even more, thank you for all you do and have done.
I will keep in touch as I continue with the DNA and other projects. Mostly, I am not doing additional data entry on the tree. It is an endless task, anyway.  Someday, technology will be able to do it more efficiently.
I will send you an updated Flash drive when the eBook gets published. I’m still targeting May 3rd.  I only need one drive returned. And that only if you still have the stuff to send me. I believe my favorite gravesite photographer specializes in flowers?
John, IV
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Re: Ancestry.com DNA Testing


Fri 1/8/2021 5:57 AM
John,

 
I have found DNA results to be confusing at best.  Mine has me linked to people I already know are relatives and many who are distant relatives, sometimes 2-3x removed and more.  It also depends on who has done their DNA. 
 
I was excited at first about the findings, but I’ve recently given up trying to figure out who’s who.  That’s just me.  
 
Good luck with your search. 
 
Beth
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Genealogy Blog for MyCousins Family Tree Contributors


Sat 1/9/2021 12:07 PM
Greetings,
Sorry to bother you again, but I just sent you an invitation to my new Genealogy blog.
You must act if you want to keep informed about the genealogy projects I’ve started for our family.  Either login to the family tree on Ancestry or subscribe to the blog. One or both will keep you informed.
The Blog is the only place to update the MyCousins family tree and the soon-to-be-published eBook (May 3rd).  The eBook is an expository tale written primarily between Beth Gamache and me. Beth is married to Jack, my 1st cousin.  Many of you also will be featured if you have corresponded with us via eMail, Facebook, or LinkedIn.  Because of its size, the book is being published as a Blog (using WordPress), where it is easy to query and filter results to topics of personal interest.
Of course, you can have access to the family tree without participating in the Blog.  If you need your credentials renewed, let me know.
Those individuals subscribing to the blog or who have been logged into the family tree on Ancestry.com will get a FREE flash drive when the eBook is published.  The drive will have a backup of all my family tree and genealogy sources.
If you missed the Blog’s invitation or prematurely deleted it, it is not too late to reconsider. Respond to this email asking for credentials to be reissued and saying if you need the Blog, the Family Tree, or both.
I hope to hear from everybody, but I understand if this is not the right time for you.
This is a change of platform necessitated by my dropping my Twitter and Facebook accounts.  I want to focus on genealogy projects without the distraction of world events.
Warmest regards,
John P. Elcik, IV
johnelcik@msn.com