15 March 2015

Family Stories from a 'Library of Souls'

In the midst of all the depressing stories on cable news, CNN's Fareed Zakaria's Global Public Square had an inspiring special show today that I wish could be mandatory viewing for all voting Americans and all American politicians. The show encourages support of research "to power America's future." And the show even has a genealogy angle, while all of the segments focus on my other favorite subjects, science and technology. "Moonshots for the 21st Century" is the title of the special. I highly recommend watching this when it repeats or using the podcast / iTunes links at the bottom of the show's webpage.


Each segment focuses on a new idea that might make the future of America and our world better in the same way as the things we learned preparing for the trip to the moon did in the 1960s. I found all of the segments interesting, but was fascinated by the one that applies to family history.

The segments are
  1. Sending Astronauts to Mars
  2. 3-D Printing a Human Heart
  3. Creating a Star on Earth
  4. Flying from New York to London in One Hour
  5. Mapping the Human Brain

In the segment on mapping the human brain, Dr. Michio Kaku, theoretical physicist and author of The Future of the Mind (and one of my favorite living scientists), talked about the challenges in mapping the human brain the way we have mapped the human genome.


Kaku said, "we've learned more about the brain in the last ten and fifteen years than in all of human history combined." He went on to say we can now do things that were thought preposterous ten or fifteen years ago. After discussing some of the ideas seen in recent science fiction movies and how those things may become possible, Kaku said, "someday we may have a library of souls ... One day our descendants may have a conversation with us because we live forever in a library of souls."

I'm not sure if I think that is more creepy or exciting—it is both of those things to me. So now I have to add to my to-do list not only creating a book about my ancestors that will be interesting enough to get my descendants to read—I have to think about how I want my mind to present this to my descendants from my captured brain after I am gone. Hmmm. I can edit what I put in a book or article. How do I edit my brain to be sure my thoughts are presented the way I want after my body is gone and my brain is stored in a computer?


To cite this blog post:
Debbie Parker Wayne, "Family Stories from a 'Library of Souls'," Deb's Delvings Blog, posted 15 March 2015 (http://debsdelvings.blogspot.com/ : accessed [date]).

© 2015, Debbie Parker Wayne, CG, CGL, All Rights Reserved

09 March 2015

All-day Intermediate DNA Workshop

On March 21st I will be doing an all-day DNA workshop for Dallas (Texas) Genealogical Society. I will begin with a brief review of genetic genealogy basics and advice about choosing a DNA testing company. The remaining sessions will provide in-depth information about tools and applications for mitochondrial DNA, Y-DNA, and autosomal DNA studies. Attendees will get more from these sessions if you already understand the basics of DNA covered in one hour sessions or have read some of the publications in the "Foundational Knowledge" section of my DNA bibliography page. Each session will include a real-life case study which uses the latest tools and techniques to analyze these DNA types. Sessions include:
  • Genetic Genealogy Today: Review and Updates - A brief review of genetic genealogy basics such as the inheritance patterns of each type of DNA used for genealogy. This includes an introduction to some of the tools to be illustrated in later sessions.
  • Genetic Genealogy Company Comparisons - Information on how to choose a DNA testing company, the pros and cons of each company's offerings, and the tests available today.
  • Tools and Applications for mtDNA - Illustration of a real-life case study using the latest tools and techniques to analyze mitochondrial DNA (passed along the matrilineal line).
  • Tools and Applications for Y-DNA - Illustration of a real-life case study using the latest tools and techniques to analyze Y-DNA (passed along the patrilineal line).
  • Tools and Applications for atDNA - Illustration of a real-life case study using the latest tools and techniques to analyze autosomal DNA (inherited through all ancestral lines).
Check here for more information and registration links.

I hope to see you there!


To cite this blog post:
Debbie Parker Wayne, "All-day Intermediate DNA Workshop," Deb's Delvings Blog, posted 9 March 2015 (http://debsdelvings.blogspot.com/ : accessed [date]).


© 2015, Debbie Parker Wayne, CG, CGL, All Rights Reserved

Free Genealogy Seminar, Tyler, Texas

The Tyler FamilySearch Center and the East Texas Genealogical Society join once again to provide the 15th Annual Family History Fair. This is free and open to all, but you must pre-register to reserve a syllabus packet. Download Pre-Registration form at ETGS website at www.etgs.org OR at Event Blogspot at http://2015-fhf-tylertx.blogspot.com. Registration starts at 8:30a.m. Welcome and Introductions start at 9:00a.m. followed by the first session.

The featured speaker is Susan D. Kaufman, B.S. In the morning she will present two sessions:
  • Using Criminal Records for Genealogical Research
  • Unusual Source Records for Genealogical Research
In the afternoon there will be multiple 45-minute sessions offered:
  • Clayton Library: The Gem of the Gulf Coast - Susan Kaufman
  • Quilts & Their Stories: Binding Generations Together - Debbie Burkett
  • DNA and Genetic Genealogy - Debbie Parker Wayne, CG,CGL
  • Sound Census Strategy - Debbie Parker Wayne, CG,CGL
  • Getting Started with FamilySearch-FREE Resource for Family History - V. W. 'Web' Freeman, MMS, MA
  • Storytelling: making genealogy come to life by telling 'the Rest of the Story' - John Connally
  • Beginning Genealogy & other courses for Youth - Angie Johnston, Youth Track


To cite this blog post:
Debbie Parker Wayne, "Free Genealogy Seminar, Tyler, Texas," Deb's Delvings Blog, posted 9 March 2015 (http://debsdelvings.blogspot.com/ : accessed [date]).


© 2015, Debbie Parker Wayne, CG, CGL, All Rights Reserved