FTDNA Berry Group coordinator resignation

Just thought I should memorialize our notice to the FTDNA Berry group distributed by FTDNA bulk mail on May 16, 2018 -

We’ll see if this gets by the moderators. If so, kudos to them!

With the advent of the European GDPR requirements, FTDNA is asking its project administrators to do more than I think can reasonably be expected of unpaid ‘helpers’.

Since I’m now 15 years older than when we first began the FTDNA Berry project and our own Berry Family DNA Project I have determined that I have no interest in continuing under the new European regulations and therefore plan to resign as administrator of the FTDNA Berry project. I’m also pretty certain that Carol is no longer able to administer the project so if any of you want to step in, this might be the time to do it.

I do plan to continue our offsite Berry Family DNA Project if Ancestry ever decides to get Rootsweb Freepages back online.

Since each of you were asked before we included you in our Y-DNA project, and each of you agreed, I feel comfortable with what we have online, but, if anyone wants their results removed from that site, I’ll do so as soon as, and if, it gets back online.

If any of you have any questions I might be able to address, I’ll be glad to try.

jim
jim@langolier.net

P.S. As most of you know by now, our "Berry Family DNA Project" Freepages site is now back on line. They've eliminated the online editor, however, and i'm still trying to learn how to quickly and efficiently post corrections and changes to the website.

HAPPY NOTICE!

I just tonight discovered that Rootsweb has put us back online -- no notice from them but, we're back!

Now I have to relearn how to do this stuff.

One thing, since I'm no longer an FTDNA Project administrator I don't have access to a bulk mail utility so I'm going to have to figure out a way to get in touch with all of you at once.

This Project won't now be as robust as when we first started.   As I mentioned, I'm no longer linked in to FTDNA so I'll have to depend on each of you to get in touch with me with any data you think should be posted or analyzed.

In my mind, this has always been the Y-DNA Project that we started as, almost a one-name project, and I'll continue as that here since I don't understand 'triangulation' and other esoteric autosomal DNA concepts. Nor do I have any real interest in relationships beyond those with a BERRY (and variants) surname.

Some of you will recall that I complained about the discontinuing of the RootsWeb Online Editor in a post a year ago. During this offline period many of you have sent me Y-DNA test results for posting. Without the Online Editor, I'll just have to see what I'll have to do to post changes to our pages. ...and then I'll probably have to ask you to resend them as I'm sure I won't find all that you all sent.

Just wanted to let you know that things are looking a little brighter, Berry Family DNA Project-wise.

P.S.   The links here don't seem to work. Until I get that figured out you'll have to start from here for everything.

Just in from FTDNA

Because I'm certain that many of you have progressed in Y-DNA and SNP analysts beyond me, I'm passing on this 'heads-up' just received from FTDNA:

Dear Group Administrators,

We're releasing a big update to Big Y on October 10th and want to give you a first look before the release goes live.

Once the release is live, we will be recalculating Big Y matches. We anticipate this to take approximately 5-7 days. During this time, you will see a "Results Pending" page when you click on the Big Y section. You will be notified by email once your results are processed and ready.

Once the transition is complete, we will update you as to when BAM files will be available.

What’s New?
Here’s the breakdown of what we added and how it all works

Human Genome 38

We’ve updated from hg19 to hg38. This is a more accurate representation of the human genome and is the most recent version referenced by the human genome community.

Some of the advantages of hg38 are:
Better mapping of NGS data to the proper location
Consideration of alternative haplotypes across the genome
For more information about human genome builds, click here.

Terminal SNP Guide

We've added a terminal SNP Guide that allows you to view and filter the branches closest to the tester's terminal branch on the haplotree.

BIG Y Browse
We’re giving you the ability to view your SNP data from Big Y. This will allow you to personally assess all SNP call positions that are being evaluated for matching purposes. This data will be continuously updated.

Could be a problem

This notice from Rootsweb Freepages, host of all our Berry DNA 'stuff'.  This may seriously impinge on my ability to add to or make any changes to the Berry Family DNA Project website.  We'll just have to see.


******************************************************************************************************

    We will be discontinuing this RootsWeb Online Editor on July 31st, 2017.  RootsWeb FreePages users will need to use an FTP client to and modify files starting August 1st, 2017.

    Many of our users have been happy with FileZilla which is a free FTP client.  Useful tips and tricks for FileZilla and Rootsweb are available.

    Other free FTP clients are also available.:

*******************************************************************************************************


Why, I wonder?

Berry and Lincoln

Bill Berry, (ID #241), an Augusta/Washington Co. Berry, was kind enough to share with us an interesting book about the relationship between William Franklin Berry and Abraham Lincoln.

Click here to read

FTDNA 2016 Father's Day Sale

Check out the various offerings:

HERE

Posted by FTDNA for anyone interested:

Dear Valued Customer,

We have some great news for those of you who use SNPs in your research!

Starting today, we will offer an official coupon for $100 off Big Y. Use the coupon code BIGY100 to join the thousands of customers that have already taken the deep dive into Y-DNA.

To order Big Y, simply click on the blue "Upgrade" button on the upper right corner of your dashboard, and the Big Y will be on the upgrade choices of Y-testers.

This offer is valid from October 7 through October 11, 11:59 PM Central Time.

Order your Big Y test today!

- - - - - - - NOTICE - - - - - - -
Our co-coordinator for this Berry Family DNA Project, Carol Vass, has recently suffered a serious heart attack and will not be available for consultation for some time in the future.

I'll do my best to fill in but don't have anywhere near the grasp of Berry family relationships and history that Carol has. My main forte' is in gathering and presenting data and website design and upkeep.

Please refrain for the time being from asking Carol for assistance. Ask me instead and I'll do my best to respond -- or to tell you that I don't know the answer to your question.

- jim berry

Y-DNA Sale Price Discounted!

*     *     *     *     *
I now have one reward code for $10 off the Y37, Y67 or Y111 sale price which I will send to anyone who would like to order any of those tests.     Must be used by December 7!
Email Me
*     *     *     *     *

2014 FTDNA Holiday Sale Prices!

2014 FTDNA Holiday Sale Prices!

Product           Sale Price

 Y37      $169           $129      $40 off
  Y67      $268           $199      $69 off
  Y111     $359          $289      $70 off

Upgrades

Y12 to Y37        $99            $78      $21 off
Y12 to Y67      $189          $149      $40 off
Y12 to Y111      $339          $257      $82 off
Y25 to Y37          $49            $39      $10 off
Y25 to Y67      $148          $119      $29 off
Y25 to Y111      $249          $209      $40 off
Y37 to Y67          $99            $78      $21 off
Y37 to Y111      $220          $187      $33 off
Y67 to Y111      $129          $109      $20 off

Family Finder        $99          $89      $10 off

mtFullSequence      $199          $169      $30 off
mtDNA+ to mtFullSequence      $159          $139      $20 off
Sale ends Dec 31, 2014. Click here to order.

I also have a reward code for $10 off the Family Finder sale price which I will send to anyone who would like to order the FTDNA Family Finder test.     Must be used by November 30!
Email Me.

The Earls of Barrymore DNA Project

This notice just received from James Berry, admin of the Barry DNA Project.    Anyone interested to help should contact him directly.

For the past year I have been working with forensic anthropologists and genetic scientists at University College Dublin on an effort to conduct DNA testing on the remains of a titled member of the family.    We have just received ministerial permission to take samples from the remains of Richard Barry, 6th Earl of Barrymore, who died in the 18th century.    This will provide the first opportunity to do a direct genetic comparison of living Barry men with one of our famous forebears.    It will also enable the scientists to develop and refine methods for forensic analysis and DNA testing that will be valuable both to the academic community and to other Irish families who wish to explore their roots through genetic genealogy.

All of the professionals involved in this project are donating their time.    We will, however, have some logistical expenses totaling about 2500 Euro ($3500), and it is in this regard that I wanted to solicit support for supporting the project.    There is more detailed information on the project, its goals and methods on our web site: https://sites.google.com/site/barrymorednaproject.

I would be happy to answer any questions that you might have and hope that you will find this project of interest.    Please feel free to repost or forward this message to any interested parties.

James Barry,   jbarry6899@aol.com
Administrator,  Barry DNA Project

FTDNA DNA Day sale begins April 25, 2014

Y-DNA SNPs will be 20% off from April 25 - 29. In addition, the Y-DNA 37 test will be 20% off the retail price.

(The sale officially begins at 12:01AM on April 25 and will end at 11:59pm on April 29.)

FTDNA March mtDNA Madness sale

For four days only FTDNA is offering its customers the chance to order or upgrade to the mtDNA full sequence at reduced prices.    To take advantage of the prices below, place your orders and pay before 11:59 PM Central Time April 1, 2014.

Savings
               mtDNAFullSequence Addon and New Kits - Was $199 US       Now $139 US
               mtHVR1toMEGA Upgrade - Was $149 US       Now $99 US
               mtHVR2toMEGA Upgrade - Was $159 US       Now $89 US

Order Here

My Days May Be Numbered

FTDNA has published new Group Administrator Guidelines for FTDNA Projects that I would invite you to read, HERE.

My first impression is that they're asking for a LOT of free help for their business under their rules and for no apparent return.    In addition, while perhaps unclear, could "Any external website should specify that the DNA results are from Family Tree DNA" mean that we cannot display results from other labs?

I guess we'll see, but my days may be numbered.

Not So Fast!

Well, according to the folks who know a lot more about this stuff than I do, maybe the BIG Y STRs are not going to be reported.     At least not for a while.

I'll try to monitor what's going on and let you know when I spot something genealogical.

Big Y is here!

OK. I guess it's time to get our learning hats on (again).    Up to this point I have pretty much ignored SNPs and SNP testing.    Our interest has been, and is, genetic genealogy.    And, up to this point, my understanding was that STRs are valuable for genealogy and SNPs are valuable for things on a longer time frame like population migrations.

Apparently, though, the release of FTDNA's Big Y test results may indicate that there may also be some things that look like SNPs but are really complex variant STRs which may be genealogically significant.

So, time for the learning hats.    I don't know any answers so I'll just point out some things that seem to me important to read and learn and maybe we'll be able to learn this together.

The first is Roberta Estes' DNAeXplained – Genetic Genealogy blog post, "Big Y Release".    Be sure to also click on and follow all the links within her blog post as they are necessary to an understanding of this new tool.

In case you missed the link in the last paragraph, here it is again:      Big Y Release

Click for FTDNA Big Y help page

Reed Island Rounders Perform "Maysville."

Friends of mine are now in Arizona.  For your listening pleasure.

Family Tree DNA Free Webinars

Family Tree DNA now offers many free online seminars that will help you understand and get the most from DNA testing. Below are some of the options.
as posted by Rebekah Canada

myFTDNA: Managing Your Personal Account at Family Tree DNA
Time: Thursday, January 9, 2014 @ 12pm Central (6pm GMT)
Click here for Registration

Learn your way around your personal myFTDNA account at Family Tree DNA! We'll cover basic account settings, where to locate your results when they come in, how to upload a GEDCOM (family tree), how to update your Most Distant Ancestor information and map coordinates for your ancestral location, how to join projects and account privacy. (Note: This webinar does not cover interpreting your results. We have other webinars dedicated to understanding your results!)

Family Tree DNA Results Explained, Part 3: Family Finder
Time: Tuesday, January 14, 2014 @ 12pm Central (6pm GMT)
Click here for Registration.

An information-packed webinar focusing on how to read and understand your Family Finder results. Learn about autosomal & X DNA inheritance, how Family Finder determines your relationship with your matches, how to use the Chromosome Browser, and much more!


Mind the GAP: Beginner's Guide to the Group Administration Page at Family Tree DNA
Time: Tuesday, January 21, 2014 @ 12pm Central (6pm GMT)
Click here for Registration.

Family Tree DNA has over 7,000 surname, geographical, heritage and haplogroup projects. All of these projects are run by volunteers who have a passion for genetic genealogy. This webinar provides an in-depth look at the many tools available in the GAP for project administrators. If time permits, we’ll also discuss member recruitment and other project administration topics.


Advanced Topics at Family Tree DNA, Part 1: Y-DNA
Tuesday, January 28, 2014 @ 12pm Central (6pm GMT)
Click here for Registration.

This advanced webinar goes beyond the Family Tree DNA Results Explained webinar series, providing more in-depth detail about the genetics and usage of Y-DNA testing. We will cover the following topics: NIST standards, compound markers, palindromic & multi-copy markers, genetic distance models, modal values & triangulation, micro-alleles, recurrent SNPs & SNP discovery projects.

Recorded On-Demand Webinars

Introduction to Family Tree DNA
Any Time Recording
Click here for Registration.

This FREE Online Seminar will help you learn the basics about Family Tree DNA's Y-DNA, mtDNA and Family Finder (autosomal DNA) tests. Elise explains what each of these tests can tell you about your ancestry and how to decide which test to order based on your personal interests and goals. She shows the basics of personal myFTDNA account where all of your results are reported as well as example results from each test. Elise will also gives a brief overview of our group projects and other resources available at Family Tree DNA.


Family Tree DNA Results Explained, Part 1: Y-DNA
Any Time Recording
Click here for Registration.

In this information-packed webinar, Elise focuses on how to read and understand your Y-DNA results. Learn where to find your Y-DNA results in your personal myFTDNA account, how to read your Standard Y-STR Results and what they mean, how to analyze your Y-DNA matches, what your Y-DNA haplogroup means and much more. She also provides tips for making the most of your Family Tree DNA experience


Family Tree DNA Results Explained, Part 2: mtDNA
Any Time Recording
Click here for Registration.

In this information-packed webinar, Elise focuses on how to read and understand your mtDNA results. Learn where to find your mtDNA results in your personal myFTDNA account, how to read your mtDNA Results page and what the results mean, how to analyze your mtDNA matches, what your mtDNA haplogroup means and much more. She also provides tips for making the most of your Family Tree DNA experience.


Family Tree DNA Feature Launch: X Chromosome Matches in Family Finder
Any Time Recording
Click here for Registration.

On January 2, 2014, Family Tree DNA launched an exciting update for Family Finder: X chromosome matches! This webinar will provide a brief overview of the new tools on the Matches and Chromosome Browser pages for viewing and analyzing your X chromosome match information.

FTDNA Holiday Sale 2013

Here's your chance to add to your testing or to sponsor another to further clarify your line.

Click here.

Waiting at Rainbow Bridge

Axel's Edn von Reiteralm
August 14, 2002 - October 7, 2013


Edn

Our Little Clown

Just this side of heaven is a place called the Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to the Rainbow Bridge.

There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together.    There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor.    Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.    The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing;   they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance.    His bright eyes are intent.    His eager body quivers.    Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again.

The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head.    You look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together…

Author Unknown

Sad News

I am sorry to report having just learned that we recently lost two of our original Project folk, Brent and Solveig Berry.

Brent Berry, #4
November 2, 1948 - March 8, 2012

Brent Berry, 63, died March 8, 2012 at Circle of Life in Springdale. He was born on November 2, 1948 in Ft. Smith to the late Blake Berry, and Billie (Bollinger) Berry of Ft. Smith. He was the loving husband of Solveig (Lundberg) Berry for 42 years.

Brent was a 24 year veteran of Wal-Mart Stores. He served in a series of positions including Merchandise Buyer of several categories, Vice President Divisional Merchandise Manager, and retired as Vice President Managing Director International Merchandise responsible for import and export programs for Wal-Mart and Sam's.

Brent developed private label programs for Wal-Mart including Equate and Popular Mechanics. He played an integral role in Wal-Mart's expansion into Canada where he set up the infrastructure for a self-sufficient Canadian merchandising department.

Brent graduated from the University of Arkansas in 1970, where he was a member of Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity. He was an avid Razorback fan and followed all U of A sports. He enjoyed reading history, fantasy and science fiction. He loved to travel and visited four continents and a wide variety of countries including India, Germany and Saudi Arabia. Brent and Solveig recently traveled to Hawaii and China and took a European cruise.

Brent is survived by his mother, Billie; wife, Solveig of Rogers; son, Erik Berry of Rogers; daughter, Brynn Sims of Fayetteville; and three grandchildren.

He is preceded in death by his father, Blake; and brother, Boyd Blake Berry.

Solveig Berry
May 15, 1947 - April 9, 2013

Solveig Margareta (Lundberg) Berry was born May 15, 1947 in Luleå, Sweden to the late Erik and Ella (Lundström) Lundberg. She was the loving wife of the late Brent Berry for 42 years.
Solveig attended high school at Hermelinsskolan in Sweden. In 1965, she came to the U.S. as an AFS exchange student in Poteau, OK. She spent one year with the family of Ross J. Holt. When back in Sweden, she studied at the College of Education in Lulea to become a certified teacher, specializing in grades 4-6. After college in Sweden, Solveig attended the University of Arkansas with her host sister, Nana (Holt) Johnson in 1969. Solveig and Brent met at the U of A and later married on March 22, 1970. She and Brent moved to Rogers in 1972, where she began teaching 5th grade at Lowell Elementary. Later she served as the facilitator of the Gifted and Talented program at Oakdale.
During her life in Rogers, Solveig was highly involved in community activities. She was a member of PEO and Junior Auxillary. She completed her Masters Degree at the University of Arkansas. She also enjoyed tennis, genealogy and gardening.
Solveig is survived by her daughter, Brynn Sims of Fayetteville; son, Erik Berry of Rogers; brother, Dr. Lars Lundberg of Sweden; mother-in-law, Billie Berry; three grandchildren, Henry Sims and Karl and Kaden Berry; and three nieces and two nephews.