23andMe multiple kit sale!

This has just shown up from 23andMe-

We have a new offer for you and your audience!    20% off on all additional kits.    So, the first kit in a purchase order is full price - $99.    And every additional kit is 20% off - $79.

This offer is live now and does not have an expiration date.   

Here are a couple of links you can start using:   Explore your DNA with your family.    Now 20% off on all additional kits.    Why 20% Off?    In December, our new $99 price made the 23andMe DNA kit accessible to many people for the first time.    We also noticed that a lot of people purchased multiple DNA kits at once or came back for additional kits later.    That makes sense!    Exploring genetic health and ancestry via 23andMe can be a great family experience;   most of our members choose to share and compare results with their closest relatives.    So we wanted to make it easier for families to purchase their kits together, and save money while being able to share richer DNA stories.

With Father's Day coming up, keep in mind that the 23andMe DNA kit could be an original and caring gift for a parent, grandparent or a significant other.

FTDNA DNA Day sale

For a limited time FTDNA will be selling the FMS for $189 and whether you’ve tested HVR1 or HVR1+2, you’ll be able to upgrade to the Full Sequence for just $129!

In addition, they are also lowering the Family Finder to $169 for this sale!

Here is the list of all tests under the promotion:

Full MtDNA Sequence…. $189
Upgrades to FMS….$129
Y-DNA37 (new and add-on)…. $119
Y-DNA67 (new and add-on)…. $199
Y-DNA37 + Full MtDNA Sequence…. $308
Y-DNA12 + FF…. $218
Y-DNA37 + FF…. $288
Y-DNA67 + FF…. $368
Family Finder.... $169
Family Finder + Full MtDNA Sequence…. $358
SuperDNA….$388 (Y-67 + FMS)
Comprehensive DNA…. $557 (Y-67 + FMS + FF)

The sale will begin tonight, April 18th, at 6PM CDT.  Orders must be made and paid for by 11:59 p.m. CDT on Thursday, April 25th.    All orders must be placed and paid for by the end of the sale to receive the promotional price.

More important, in my view, will be the opportunity to upgrade those 12 marker and 25 marker tests to 37 markers or greater.    According to FTDNA, "We’ll offer Y-DNA upgrades during a Father’s Day sale and will give you those details at that time."

Today's my birthday.

Today is my birthday, four score and aught.    My daughters decided that they were going to give me a surprise party so, with Betty's help, they arranged the time and the place and got the word out to our friends.

Did they surprise me?    Yes, they did but I claim that there has to be an asterisk.    My birthday is March 25.    One of the daughters told me that she and her husband were taking me to a Bruce Molsky concert in Romney, WV, last Saturday, the 23rd, for my birthday and that we'd stop at a church benefit dinner for our meal before the concert.    OK.    Great.    Why should I doubt her?

We arrived at the church and went inside.    The first thing I heard as we entered were some folks singing 'Happy Birthday' to someone.    I started to back out thinking that we'd inadvertently interrupted someone's birthday party.    Never considered that it might be mine  -  My birthday was two days away.

My contention is that it's pretty easy to surprise someone if you throw his birthday party when it's not his birthday.

It was great.    I'll share the flavor of it with you all here.

MOVIE
                And here's the photos:              Click Here

Perhaps a clue?

Martyn Berry, #226, has only tested 12 markers but I believe he is at least a 'probable' for the Berry Plain Berrys.

The thing about Martyn is that he lives in Croydon, a Borough of London, and his ancestors can be traced back to Hertfordshire, England in about 1761.    Given that his folks were in Hertfordshire from then until just recently, and given that folks didn't move around that much in the 17th Century, it might be a place to look for the immigrant ancestor of most of the lines of this family, Henry Berry.    Henry is reputed to have arrived in the Colony of Virginia about 1648 to 1650 but I haven't heard any theory as to where he might have emigrated from --- until now.

You all might want to help Martyn research his Hertfordshire ancestors back another century or so.

Of course, you might have a little more confidence that you were looking in the right place if Martyn had tested 37 markers.

BTW, Hertfordshire is about 36 miles from Croydon.

iSmartAlarm - iPhone-controlled home security system

Sorry that this is just a bit off-topic but I thought someone else might be interested in a smartphone controlled home security without the hassle (and expense) of a monthly subscription.

Only 19 days left to take advantage of campaign pricing. 

Y-DNA12 $39

Still going on.

Still can't find any indication how much longer it may last.


Order HERE

Y-DNA12 for $99 $39

This is still being advertised at FTDNA as of just after midnight EST, March 2, 2013.

Can't find any indication how much longer it may last.


Order HERE

Northwestern Lake

I grew up in the small town of Bingen, Washington, in the Columbia Gorge.    I left there in 1954.     This isn't going to be a memoir but merely setting the scene for this film documenting a recent event.

When we were kids one of the family activities we irregularly engaged in was a picnic at Northwestern Lake.     I never gave it any thought at the time but Northwestern Lake was the result of a hydroelectric project on the White Salmon River between Klickitat and Skamania Counties called the Condit Dam.

Recently, it was decided to reverse that project.    If you have half an hour to spare, this is an interesting narrative of the blowing of the Condit Dam and the resulting changes to the White Salmon River.
[I suggest watching it 'full screen' by clicking the small square in the lower right corner of the display.]

Watch The White Salmon River Runs Free: Breaching the Condit Dam on PBS. See more from Oregon Field Guide.

Additional information:

White Salmon Restored: A Timelapse Project ~ documenting the removal of condit dam

Y-DNA12 for $99 $39

FTDNA Press Release -

HOUSTON, Feb. 20, 2013 /PRNewswire/   --   Family Tree DNA, the genetic genealogy arm of Gene By Gene, Ltd., is dramatically lowering the price of one of its basic Y-DNA tests to $39, making it the lowest-cost DNA test available on the market, in order to take a major step toward universal access by individuals to their personal genetic data.

By dropping the price of its basic Y-DNA test by 60 percent to $39, Family Tree DNA  --  the world's largest processor of Y-DNA and full mitochondrial sequences  --  is working to eliminate cost as a barrier to individuals introducing themselves to the insights and knowledge to be gained from personal genetic and genomic research.

------------------------

If you've been wanting to check whether you might be related to that certain person, here's your chance to do it on the cheap.     Down from $99 for a limited time (I think Feb. 28th but don't hold me to that), you can find the particulars HERE.

As I've mentioned before, 12 markers will NOT tell you for certain that your ARE related to another, but it will tell you for certain when you are NOT related to that other.

More 'Improvements'

I decided that it was counter-productive to update the 'Family' portion of the Family yResults page to facilitate the efficient use of Dean McGee's Y-DNA Comparison Utility without updating the Unassigned folks.     I undertook, and have now competed, that task, adding them to the end of the Family yResults page.

Running a new Genetic Distance exam thru Dean's Utility indicated (to me) that a couple of folks were related to others that we hadn't previously recognized.

Participant #153, Thomas Jeffrey Barry, now appears likely to be a Faires Berrys but since Tom has not shared his yAncestry with us we have no way to check.     We may have a clue, however, from the yAncestry of John Henry Barry IV (ID #114), Tom having listed his earliest known ancestor as Thomas Henry Barry 1814-1891.     Tom tested only 12 markers originally but also decided to do a DYS464X test for some reason.     Even though no other Faires participant has done the extended DYS464 test, the basic values match nicely.

Also, Participant #70, Charles Henry Berry has only tested 12 markers but appears likely to be a Strawbery Banke Berry.     His yAncestry doesn't indicated it in any way but also doesn't preclude it and Dean's Utility says yes so we'll call it a 'possible'.     More markers tested would tell for sure.

The third is one of the haplotypes I 'gleaned' from Ysearch, Thomas Berry, ECNWC, who matches one of the 'Other matches' at the bottom of the page comprised of C. Berry, Ysearch W2YZ9, and Thomas Willard Berry, Participant #51, who seems to be descended from an early Albemarle Co., Virginia, line.     All three claim to descend from Isham Berry, 1753-1827.     I should probably suggest that they get in touch with one another.

Project Update: Genetic Distance Comparison Table

A couple of upgrades/updates to the Project website to report.

First, in an attempt to accommodate FTDNA's conversion to 111 markers I have had to recode the Numerical yResults and Family yResults pages.    For some reason, the Family yResults page was very time consuming and took the better part of the past year.    I do know that part of the reason was that I wanted to set it up so that I could relatively easily copy its data for pasting into Dean McGee's Y-DNA Comparison Utility (found here:    Utility) without having to thereafter tweak it so it didn't clog the utility.

Both the tables contain 'hidden' values which 'show' by hovering the cursor above them.    An example is the identification square at the beginning and end of each row.    Hovering there reveals the participant's name and testing company/kit number.    Multi-copy markers are another instance where additional data is available that can't be shown (for ease in copying, mentioned earlier).    In any instance where additional data is available the square will 'highlight' when the cursor is hovered over it.

Also, a current genetic distance table for all the Project members has been run and may be studied here:    TABLE

The current table is always available through the link at the bottom of the Numerical and Family yResults pages.

The arrangement of the table is DNA families first in the same order as displayed on the Family yResults page, followed by the unassigned participants in numerical order at the bottom of the table.    The top row and the first column contain the participant's numbers.

On Genetics: Genetic Genealogy and the Single Segment

As I've mentioned in the past, I can help you all out with surname relationships indicated by Y-DNA but am not much help with autosomal matching using FTDNA's Family Finder or 23andMe's Relative Finder.

I've come across a short article that some have indicated was helpful to them and am linking it here for whatever assistance it may provide in finding relationships using those tools.

Click the link below.
On Genetics: Genetic Genealogy and the Single Segment

Merry Christmas 2012

Click on these gifts to open -

23andMe - Sale or Price drop?

This just landed in my email inbox -

Great news just in time for the holidays!
Effective immediately, 23andMe now costs only $99.

We know how important your 23andMe results can be in empowering you to make informed health decisions and learn more about your ancestry. This new low price will enable your family and friends to enjoy the same discoveries.

This price cut is a key part of our drive to grow the 23andMe member base to one million people. This will power research and medical breakthroughs and allow all of us together to revolutionize health care and help people live longer, healthier lives.

Tell your family and friends to purchase now so they can be part of this one million person challenge.

Click Here >>


Happy Holidays!
The 23andMe Team

FTDNA Holiday Sale 2012

 
As we ended our 8th Annual Genetic Genealogy Conference, several conference
 participants asked us to start our year-end sale as soon as possible. In answer
 to those requests we decided to start it immediately:

New Kits                       Current Group Price   SALE PRICE
Y-DNA 37                               $149            $119
Y-DNA 67                               $239            $199
mtFullSequence (FMS)                   $299            $199
SuperDNA (Y-DNA 67 and mtFullSequence) $518            $398
Family Finder                          $289            $199
Family Finder + mtDNAPlus              $438            $318
Family Finder + mtFullSequence         $559            $398
Family Finder + Y-DNA 37               $438            $318
Comprehensive (FF + FMS + Y-67)        $797            $597

Upgrades                       Current Group Price   SALE PRICE
Y-Refine 12-25 Marker                   $49              $35
Y-Refine 12-37 Marker                   $99              $69
Y-Refine 12-67 Marker                  $189             $148
Y-Refine 25-37 Marker                   $49              $35
Y-Refine 25-67 Marker                  $148             $114
Y-Refine 37-67 Marker                   $99              $79
Y-Refine 37-111 Marker                 $228             $188
Y-Refine 67-111 Marker                 $129             $109
mtDNAPlus                              $149             $129
mtHVR1toMega                           $269             $179
mtHVR2toMega                           $239             $179
mtFullSequence Add-on                  $289             $199

To order this special offer, log in to your personal page and click on the Order An Upgrade
  button in the upper right corner. A link to the login page is provided below.
 
ALL ORDERS MUST BE PLACED AND PAID FOR BY MONDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2012 11:59:00 PM CST TO RECEIVE THE
 SALE PRICES.

Log In to Order an Upgrade.

Click Here to Order a New Kit.

Best Regards,
Bennett Greenspan
President
Family Tree DNA 
www.familytreedna.com
"History Unearthed Daily"

FTDNA Flash Sale!

This was sent out by FTDNA:

It seems every time we run a flash sale a few people e-mail us days later they were traveling, sick or just had not looked at their e-mails in time, so for all of you who want to entice a friend, neighbor or reluctant relative to get involved in Genetic Genealogy here's one more opportunity, but it will last for only 72 hours.

We are gearing this sale for newcomers and upgrades by promoting the Family Finder and the Full Mitochondria Sequence (FMS). This sale starts Friday, September 28, at 12:00am and ends Sunday, September 30, at 11:59PM.

New Kits                                        Current Price                    SALE PRICE
Family Finder                                      $289                                   $199
mtFullSequence                                   $299                                   $199
Family Finder + mtFullSequence;        $559                                   $398

Upgrades                                          Current Price                   SALE PRICE
Family Finder                                        $289                                $199
HVR1 to mtFullSequence                     $269                                  $199
HVR2 to mtFullSequence                     $239                                 $199
mtFullSequence                                    $289                                   $199

As with all promotions, orders need to be placed by the end of the sale and payment must be made by end of this sale.

Learn More

FTDNA Summer Sale

Sorry about the formatting but my computer broke and I'm doing this from my iPhone.

Special Summer Prices

NEW KITS                  Current Group Price   SALE PRICE

Y-DNA 12                          $99              $59

Y-DNA 37                         $149             $129

Y-DNA 67                         $239             $199

Family Finder                         $289             $199

mtFullSequence (FMS)                 $299             $219

FF+ Y-DNA 37                         $438             $328

FF + mtDNAPlus                         $438             $328

Comprehensive (FF + FMS + Y-DNA 67) $797             $617

SuperDNA                         $518             $428


UPGRADES 
   
12 to 37                         $109              $70

25 to 37                          $59              $35

25 to 67                         $159             $114

37 to 67                         $109              $79

37 to 111                         $220             $188

67 to 111                         $129             $109

mtHVR1 to Mega                         $269             $209

mtHVR2 to Mega                         $239             $199

You are welcome to blog about this, or send an email to your distribution list, but when it’s over, it’s over.

Orders must be in and paid for by 11:59PM on Sunday July 15th, to receive this offer.

Old Time Music

This is just a short post to let you know that I haven't completely forgotten you all and to let you know where I've been.

One of our jams.



And a more organized string band.

FTDNA DNA Day Sale

 Order HERE.

"The Differentiator" - GeneTree's new Y-DNA19 test

GeneTree has announced its new Y-DNA test extending 19 markers beyond its current Y-DNA46 test.    This new test includes 17 alleles not included in FTDNA's Y-DNA111 test.    It also includes two of the 'fast-moving' markers often missing from other labs' results, DYS570 and 576, but not CDYa&b.

The markers offered in the new test are:

DYF387a

DYF387b

DYF399a

DYF399b

DYF399c

DYF403Aa

DYF403Ab

DYF403Ba

DYF403Bb

DYF404a

DYF404b

DYS518

DYS526B

DYS547

DYS570

DYS576

DYS612

DYS626

DYS627

GeneTree very generously offers their new test to those who have either ordered a Y-DNA 46 marker test from them or who have hand entered results into their site.

The price for the test is $94.99 and discounts are available to returning GeneTree customers.    It is offered here.

Orange Co., NC Berrys

I just received this from Ben Henderson:

THE NAME OF MY BOOK IS: “OUR BERRYS IN FRONTIER AMERICA”
I have an enormous volumn discount for printing my book.    I have decided to pre-sell the book because once I place the order my discount price will be gone.
My current price is $29.50 per book including shipping.    If I sell all of the books I have printed the same book printed one book at the time would have to sell for $55.00    I do not want anyone who wants a copy to be left out of the discounted price.
If I receive any orders after February 14th I cannot guarantee you will get the discounted price.    I plan to place the order on February 15th.

The Book is a hardback 8 ½” x 11” letter size book and will be registered in the Library of Congress.
It will be laser printed on acid free paper for a long life expectancy.
There are 300 pages and 269 images, forms, documents, and records about our Robert & Elizabeth Cate Berry family who lived in Orange County, North Carolina. It also tells how their children pioneered the frontiers as our nation grew.
ORDER FORM:
Number of copies wanted:_________________
Amount of Check:________________________
Ship my order to Address:
Name__________________________________
Address:­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­________________________________
City, State, and Zip:_______________________
Make check to Ben Henderson
Mail to:
B.B. Henderson
4505 Revere Drive
Raleigh NC 27609-5247

Anyone who might be interested in purchasing this book should contact Ben directly.