ScotchWop Genes

Don't forget!!!

2011-02-04T06:55:00.000-08:00

Who Do You Think You Are? comes back to NBC and tonight is the night!!! Check your local listings for time. I am excited! There is nothing like getting an inside track on (perhaps a new) ways to research!

Who Do You Think You Are?

2011-02-02T14:50:00.000-08:00

Who Do You Think You Are? Returns to NBC on the 4th of this month;I am very excited to see it! This week features Vanessa Williams. I find this show very interesting and occassionally there is a lead for another avenue to explore in my own journey.

I...am Obsessed (or perhaps I am a stalker!?)

2010-06-06T06:42:00.000-07:00

I...have a page on Facebook. I never thought I would hear myself say that but yes...it is a fact. It is much to the chagrin of my daughter. As she gets a bit older I hope she realizes my time on earth is not spent following HER FB page.

I originally went on FB to keep in touch with all my 50-something friends from way back when but, as I began 'liking' various pages I discovered quite a few of them have origins in Scotland and Italy- my familial homelands! Now I belong to as many as I can find (although the Italian ones are a bit more difficult-learning Italian is on my bucket list).

Here's where my concern comes in...While on those pages I peruse the names of members and friends; if I see a name that is similiar to one in my genealogy research my heart and brain race! It takes everything I have not to immediately message them and begin the interrogation.

Granted some of the names are rather common and the odds are slim but one never knows... my Mcdonald could also be my MacDonald or McDonald! My Paladin could also be my Paladini or Paladino!!! Yikes, I can't let those opportunities slip past!

So as I ponder my obsession, I guess as long as I don't end up on their doorstep, it is okay to push the send button.

It can't hurt to ask!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Tidbits

2010-05-03T07:40:00.000-07:00

As any genealogy addict can understand I am thrilled at having discovered a tidbit! You know that little teeny bit of information that confirms a thought, a memory, a wish? No matter how big, how small, how delicious, how sour...a tidbit can satisfy a hunger that tends to grows more and more every day!

Is 2010 FTM confusing to you?!

2010-01-27T09:37:00.000-08:00

Uploaded the 2010 version of Family Tree Maker this week...

I am having a difficult time with:
merging w/out duplication
retrieving hints that show up on Ancestry but not FTM
inability to rename media per person on their work area
the list goes on...

Is anyone else frustrated?

I spent 40 minutes on the tech support line yesterday, only to discover the synchronization between Ancestry & FTM "just isn't available". Both are from the same company (so to speak) shouldn't they jive? Granted "one is a program and one is a site". I am not SO techno challenged that I didn't realize that.

I find, what should be a more progressive avenue each year, has become more limited.

Has anyone else gotten results that simplify the usage?

At Last!

2009-06-03T10:03:00.001-07:00

Here is the cover of my book: "The Adirondacks that are, the Other Half of Me"!

I am thrilled with it; the cover shot is gorgeous (thanks hubby-hiker)!

It shows my favorite place- Brant Lake, NY; it's water quenches my soul!

Look for my book at the very end of June on Amazon.com. Check out my website which will have (soon) all the details!

The Other Half of Me

2009-05-26T09:28:00.000-07:00

I have a book which will be released at the end of June titled:
"The Adirondacks that are, the Other Half of Me"
It is a book of essays set in the adirondack Mountains of New York. Since this is my genealogy blog I felt it imperative to include this information here.

You see the Adirondacks are where I have spent my summers my whole life. It is a very big part of me as it was part of my parents and has become a huge part of my daur's life. I met my husband there as well so it is a very special place to us all.

Here is how it came to be... my mother was from Glasgow Scotland, my dad was from Albany NY, I was born and live in PA, my husband was from Long Island NY and somehow this all determined my (as well as my daur's) lineage.
My mom and dad vacationed (in the 1930s) in the ADKs (as kids) but didn't know each other. Years later when I came along we began to vacation there.
My husband and his family vacationed there and we met as little kids.
Nearly thirty years later we got married; and had our daur.
We continue to summer there; my daur is an ADK-er too.
Sounds simple enough but the details are almost "Que Sera, Sera"-like! But it's in the book so you'll have to wait and see...

Anyway! The schedule (thus far) is listed on the side panel

The book will also be available on Amazon.com and my website http://www.marypaladin.com/ in July.
If you live in the ADK region of NY I hope you can stop by! there will be more signings to come so please check my website!

One Step Closer...

2009-05-11T11:53:00.000-07:00

Got word today that the DNA kits are on their way. I am quite excited!
I was hoping to have them shipped directly to the "donors" but wasn't able to do so which bummed me out a bit. Obviously, it will delay the testing a few days while I send them off to Ohio and Italy.
Anyone had any interesting discoveries as a result of the paternal y-33 DNA? I am hoping it will crack open some of the Italian walls that are hindering my research.

At Laaaaast (my cousin is gonna swab)...

2009-04-25T12:59:00.000-07:00

The Etta James song came to my mind when I received my (male) cousin's recent e-mail.

We are actually going to move forward with the DNA testing and I am quite excited! Being the only other child of my paternal side's offspring, I have been hounding him like Deputy Dawg!

We found an individual in Italy with our surname and he has agreed to swab as well. We have been communicating w his family for a few years; my cousin asked him if he would participate too so.......we are off and running!

Very anxious to see what we come up with and I will be sure to post it!

DNA Testing- feedback, please...

2009-03-30T06:44:00.000-07:00

If my (male, first) cousin does a cheek swab for DNA testing, what conclusions can be made from the results? Will it only provide names of others in the database of those that have added their DNA to that list? Can it determine (a % of) possible lineage connection to those names, or any other connections?

I would like to find some ancestors/descendants that could be of some help with the "walls" I have hit in my genealogy research. My grandparents came from Italy and not only is the language a big handicap in my quest but, getting any connections to their parents (and if siblings) has proven to be vague at best.

Any feedback/thoughts/opinions... would be greatly appreciated.

Scotland's 1911 Census available to England and Ireland but not to the Scots...

2009-01-15T12:47:00.000-08:00

HUH?!
That's right, Scotland's 1911 census will be kept sealed to the Scots until 2011. Well, that has been the norm...every hundred years they are made available to view. So what?
So why is it that they are available for view in England and Ireland?
I don't understand. I listened to the snippet from the BBC but did not get my answer.
Is there anyone that can enlighten me?
Something was mentioned about nondisclosure of handicaps on the releases ie: deaf, dumb, imbecile, etc. I don't care if and/or what the disability was of my ancestors...
I want to 'know' them regardless.

I...am addicted.

2009-01-12T16:40:00.000-08:00

To genealogy that is... I cannot get enough of it!

A novice in world of bone seekers I assure you, but in the last few years I have become hooked! Ancestry.com is one of my favorite 'hangouts'; I must make an attempt to convincingly order myself NOT click on my Family Tree Maker in the morning-or else I am still there at supper time! I have made many discoveries, in just the last year, that have only whet my appetite. I struggle with the "wee ghosties" that sit on my shoulder coaxing me on every day.

As the daur of a Scottish immigrant mother and a first generation Italian American father I was raised to appreciate my ancestry. My Scottish research has flourished of late but, the Italian side is lacking, sadly. The language barrier and the sparseness of the Italian records that are available have been the roadblocks. But just when it gets frustrating those kilted, wee ghosties begin with their chattering inside my poor noggin' and get me searching for the crack that will break down the wall...