DNA USA, by Bryan Sykes, is the next book in my genetic reading pile. It's a lot bigger than the others, and some of it is worth the extra heft. The book is about Sykes' attempt to follow up a project mapping the genetics of Britain with a project mapping the genetic history of the United States. It's divided into three parts: a review of the science and the history of the science, a narrative about the "road trip" he took while working on the project, and a very quick review of the results.
The good: The first section of the book is very interesting. There's a lot more here about Native American and African-American deep genetic history than I've seen in the other books I've read, and it's very easy to understand. Sykes writes just enough about his British projects to ground the reader and give a sense of why the USA version of this project would be hard. There's also some good history of the relationships between Native Americans and genetics research, and African Americans and medical researchers, that shows why large segments of the US community might not find DNA testing to be a good thing, and might justifiably consider it a very bad thing. And, finally, some of the results he gets, placed in context with the results of other studies, illustrate some very interesting points about race in America.
The bad: The second section is a drag. Sykes can't seem to decide whether it's a story about taking a road trip with his son, who's about to start college, or a story about how depressing Indian reservations are, or a description of a genetics project. As a result, it mostly fails in every respect. In the first case, he seems to have missed the fact that the trips in the great road trip movies he keeps referencing were, in general, taken by car, not by train. Descriptions of train stations do not a great road trip story make, even if he tells us what's on his son's iPod. Second, while it's useful to learn about the complicated and messed up history of Native Americans and genetics research, it's not really interesting to read about tours he took in which he neither discusses genetics research nor conducts any while on Native reservations. And finally, after making a nicely convincing case in the first section about how hard a genetics study would be in the US, he does what couldn't even be called a half-assed job of gathering samples -- he, for example, blows off visiting the entire South after gathering a couple of samples from some people from Atlanta that he meets in a hotel bar in San Francisco. The whole second section is self-indulgent and slow. And, since he doesn't have very many samples and he's wasted a ton of pages in the second section, the third section feels both rushed and incomplete.
Unfortunately, I can't recommend that you just read the first section and skip the other two, because he buries some very interesting things in with the tedious. Skimming is your friend, here.
My takeaways: I need to investigate African Ancestry, a DNA testing company; I wonder how it compares to FamilyTreeDNA, 23andMe, and Ancestry.com. I need to read up on some of the ethics issues involved in Native American and African American DNA testing and make sure they get covered in our DNA SIG meetings at the library.
...And I should never invite Bryan Sykes and Spencer Wells to the same party. Although it's covered in pretty language, both of them say some pretty nasty things about each other in their books.
Thursday, February 20, 2014
Monday, February 17, 2014
Book Review: Deep Ancestry by Spencer Wells
Today's genetic genealogy reading is Deep Ancestry, by Spencer Wells. I wanted to read this one after watching his RootsTech presentation.
This book isn't exactly about genetic genealogy; rather, it's about the ancestral migration of humans out of Africa and throughout the rest of the world. This is the book to read to understand what it means to get a mtDNA haplogroup result of, say, J. Wells covers both the history of the science and the history of the migrations, tying in archaeology and anthropology where appropriate. He also discusses the Genographic Project, which he directs; its purpose is to significantly increase the number of DNA tests done by members of population groups that can provide more depth to the samples used to track those migrations, including indigenous groups throughout the world.
The good: Nicely written, good balance between science and humanities, very clear explanations of the science and the history. I feel much clearer on topics like genetic drift and why genetic Eve lived so much longer ago than genetic Adam.
The bad: Written in 2006 (published in 2007), still early in the project, so there weren't any results to describe. Presumably, there are lots of very cool stories to be told now.
My takeaways: This would be a good base for understanding all those news articles about genetic discoveries. But check it out from the library -- save your money for the new book I hope Wells is writing.
This book isn't exactly about genetic genealogy; rather, it's about the ancestral migration of humans out of Africa and throughout the rest of the world. This is the book to read to understand what it means to get a mtDNA haplogroup result of, say, J. Wells covers both the history of the science and the history of the migrations, tying in archaeology and anthropology where appropriate. He also discusses the Genographic Project, which he directs; its purpose is to significantly increase the number of DNA tests done by members of population groups that can provide more depth to the samples used to track those migrations, including indigenous groups throughout the world.
The good: Nicely written, good balance between science and humanities, very clear explanations of the science and the history. I feel much clearer on topics like genetic drift and why genetic Eve lived so much longer ago than genetic Adam.
The bad: Written in 2006 (published in 2007), still early in the project, so there weren't any results to describe. Presumably, there are lots of very cool stories to be told now.
My takeaways: This would be a good base for understanding all those news articles about genetic discoveries. But check it out from the library -- save your money for the new book I hope Wells is writing.
Sunday, February 16, 2014
Book Review: DNA & Genealogy, by Colleen Fitzpatrick and Andrew Yeiser
Number three in the genetic genealogy reading pile -- DNA & Genealogy, by Colleen Fitzpatrick and Andrew Yeiser. A couple of years newer than the Pomery book, this was published in 2005. So far, I have to say it's my favorite.
The good: Wow -- much clearer explanations of...well, almost everything! The authors start at the very beginning of what DNA is, how it is passed between generations, how it mutates, and provide very clear explanations, with diagrams and metaphors. They include sidebars to talk about genetic topics you might have been wondering about, like twins, Down syndrome and sickle cell anemia. Then they move on to what DNA testing actually tests, how to compare your results to someone else, and how to compare your results to a group of someone elses, like a surname study group; again, with specific examples and lots of diagrams and charts. To cap it all off, they even explain Bayes' Theorem and how it relates to Most Recent Common Ancestor calculations, although only probability geeks like myself will read that particular appendix.
The bad: 2005 was a long time ago, in genetic genealogy terms. This book covers Y-DNA and mtDNA very well, and autosomal DNA not at all. In addition, there are a couple of chapters that go into a lot of detail about testing companies, most of which have merged or gone out of business. It's also a little vague on the practical usefulness of mtDNA testing, although I think that may be because the practical usefulness of mtDNA testing is, well, still a little vague, so I'm not going to hold this against them.
My takeaway: Unless something better comes along, this is going to be the book I'm going to recommend at the library for people who are brand new to DNA testing, although that recommendation will come with the caveat that it omits one major type of test. I think with this book under your belt, the new book by Emily Aulicino will make a lot more sense, and will fill in the autosomal testing gap. Librarian happy dance!
The good: Wow -- much clearer explanations of...well, almost everything! The authors start at the very beginning of what DNA is, how it is passed between generations, how it mutates, and provide very clear explanations, with diagrams and metaphors. They include sidebars to talk about genetic topics you might have been wondering about, like twins, Down syndrome and sickle cell anemia. Then they move on to what DNA testing actually tests, how to compare your results to someone else, and how to compare your results to a group of someone elses, like a surname study group; again, with specific examples and lots of diagrams and charts. To cap it all off, they even explain Bayes' Theorem and how it relates to Most Recent Common Ancestor calculations, although only probability geeks like myself will read that particular appendix.
The bad: 2005 was a long time ago, in genetic genealogy terms. This book covers Y-DNA and mtDNA very well, and autosomal DNA not at all. In addition, there are a couple of chapters that go into a lot of detail about testing companies, most of which have merged or gone out of business. It's also a little vague on the practical usefulness of mtDNA testing, although I think that may be because the practical usefulness of mtDNA testing is, well, still a little vague, so I'm not going to hold this against them.
My takeaway: Unless something better comes along, this is going to be the book I'm going to recommend at the library for people who are brand new to DNA testing, although that recommendation will come with the caveat that it omits one major type of test. I think with this book under your belt, the new book by Emily Aulicino will make a lot more sense, and will fill in the autosomal testing gap. Librarian happy dance!
Friday, February 14, 2014
Book Review: DNA and Family History by Chris Pomery
Another day, another DNA book. This one is relatively old -- 2004 (can you believe that something from 2004 is 10 years old?)
DNA and Family History: How Genetic Testing Can Advance Your Genealogical Research, by Chris Pomery, is a short book and a quick read. In some ways, that may be its best feature -- you can actually read this book without furrowing your brow. Admittedly, even I could tell it was dated -- at one point in the early chapters he declares that DNA research has conclusively established that there was no human-Neanderthal interbreeding. But, in an odd way, the fact that this was written in the early days of DNA testing makes the book easier to follow, since it's not trying to cram in quite so much material.
The good: Pomery acknowledges the existence of autosomal and mitochondrial testing, but declares them off-limits for his book; he focuses on Y-DNA and surnames only. This clarity of purpose allows him to tell a reasonably coherent story about how testing works, what questions it will answer, and the steps involved in reaching a conclusion. For many folks, nailing down Y-DNA alone would be a really good starting place.
Also good: Pomery emphasizes the interplay between DNA test results, documentary genealogical research, and general geography, history and statistics. His list of 11 factors for evaluating DNA surname project results are clearly presented and nicely illustrated. And his example of how to present surname project results are also the most clearly presented I've seen so far.
Amazingly, his list of predictions for the future of genetic genealogy are, for the most part, coming true. Much better than a lot of other lists of predictions!
The bad: 10 years is an eternity in genetic genealogy. The website Pomery established to host all the detailed examples and references has been reformatted to market his professional services (a cautionary tale for all print-web experiments!) Although he makes references to US genealogists, his focus is really on UK surname research.
My takeaways? A good surname project coordinator is probably worth his or her weight in gold, look for context in the form of geographical distributions of surnames and haplotypes, etc, and don't write books that refer to the web for critical clarifications if you're not prepared to maintain the website.
Should you read this? Read, maybe. This might especially be good to loan to someone trying to understand a Y-DNA/surname project who is getting drowned in all the references to other kinds of testing. Definitely try to check it out from the library rather than buying it -- there are probably more recent books you should spend your money on first.
DNA and Family History: How Genetic Testing Can Advance Your Genealogical Research, by Chris Pomery, is a short book and a quick read. In some ways, that may be its best feature -- you can actually read this book without furrowing your brow. Admittedly, even I could tell it was dated -- at one point in the early chapters he declares that DNA research has conclusively established that there was no human-Neanderthal interbreeding. But, in an odd way, the fact that this was written in the early days of DNA testing makes the book easier to follow, since it's not trying to cram in quite so much material.
The good: Pomery acknowledges the existence of autosomal and mitochondrial testing, but declares them off-limits for his book; he focuses on Y-DNA and surnames only. This clarity of purpose allows him to tell a reasonably coherent story about how testing works, what questions it will answer, and the steps involved in reaching a conclusion. For many folks, nailing down Y-DNA alone would be a really good starting place.
Also good: Pomery emphasizes the interplay between DNA test results, documentary genealogical research, and general geography, history and statistics. His list of 11 factors for evaluating DNA surname project results are clearly presented and nicely illustrated. And his example of how to present surname project results are also the most clearly presented I've seen so far.
Amazingly, his list of predictions for the future of genetic genealogy are, for the most part, coming true. Much better than a lot of other lists of predictions!
The bad: 10 years is an eternity in genetic genealogy. The website Pomery established to host all the detailed examples and references has been reformatted to market his professional services (a cautionary tale for all print-web experiments!) Although he makes references to US genealogists, his focus is really on UK surname research.
My takeaways? A good surname project coordinator is probably worth his or her weight in gold, look for context in the form of geographical distributions of surnames and haplotypes, etc, and don't write books that refer to the web for critical clarifications if you're not prepared to maintain the website.
Should you read this? Read, maybe. This might especially be good to loan to someone trying to understand a Y-DNA/surname project who is getting drowned in all the references to other kinds of testing. Definitely try to check it out from the library rather than buying it -- there are probably more recent books you should spend your money on first.
Sunday, February 9, 2014
Book Review: Genetic Genealogy: The Basics and Beyond by Emily D Aulicino
I finally gave in to temptation and ordered DNA tests for myself, my mother and my brother. Which, of course, requires a whole new course of reading. The announcement for this new book, Genetic Genealogy: the Basics and Beyond, hit my computer at about the same time that my test results did, so I ordered it...
I want to say I loved it. I really do. But unfortunately, it reads like a first draft that needs some skillful editing by someone whose expertise is technical writing rather than DNA or genealogy.
The bad: The chapters on what DNA and DNA testing are all about are circular and unclear. If I didn't already know something about this stuff, I'd be confused. I was also unsettled by the fact that the first references in the book all seemed to be to wikipedia...not precisely confidence-inspiring. Also disappointing -- the sections on chromosome mapping and phasing. I'm still not sure what phasing is and I certainly don't know how to do it or even if I want to try.
The good: The chapters on how, exactly, to proceed with testing and what to do with your results. They include tips on what to say in emails to matches, helpful spreadsheets and documents to manage your analysis, and even advice on how to convince people you don't know to get tested. This sort of thing is sorely needed, and I got the sense that the author really knows her stuff.
My takeaway: I'm going to read my way through her list of suggested reading, I'm going to work through her sections on managing matches with a spreadsheet, and I'm going to suggest that we start a DNA special interest group at the library. I'm also going to keep looking for an intro-to-DNA book to recommend to others.
I want to say I loved it. I really do. But unfortunately, it reads like a first draft that needs some skillful editing by someone whose expertise is technical writing rather than DNA or genealogy.
The bad: The chapters on what DNA and DNA testing are all about are circular and unclear. If I didn't already know something about this stuff, I'd be confused. I was also unsettled by the fact that the first references in the book all seemed to be to wikipedia...not precisely confidence-inspiring. Also disappointing -- the sections on chromosome mapping and phasing. I'm still not sure what phasing is and I certainly don't know how to do it or even if I want to try.
The good: The chapters on how, exactly, to proceed with testing and what to do with your results. They include tips on what to say in emails to matches, helpful spreadsheets and documents to manage your analysis, and even advice on how to convince people you don't know to get tested. This sort of thing is sorely needed, and I got the sense that the author really knows her stuff.
My takeaway: I'm going to read my way through her list of suggested reading, I'm going to work through her sections on managing matches with a spreadsheet, and I'm going to suggest that we start a DNA special interest group at the library. I'm also going to keep looking for an intro-to-DNA book to recommend to others.
Friday, January 17, 2014
Mulvane Historical Museum
I had a chance to drop in to the historical museum while I was in Mulvane, KS, today. I was impressed -- it's a very nice little museum that makes very good use of the little rooms in its old railroad depot.
They don't have genealogy resources, per se, but they do have a LOT of photographs, and many of them are accompanied by a little one paragraph profile of the people or organizations in the picture. In addition, they have some old yearbooks and school pictures, and copies of a history of Mulvane that was done about 1975. Mulvane started as a railroad town, and there's a lot of information about railroad life there, as well.
I'm told that the Mulvane newspaper is being digitized and should start being available this coming year.
If you have Mulvane research questions, you should definitely call the museum -- Vicki would love to try to help!
Mulvane Historical Museum
300 West Main
Mulvane, KS 67110
316-777-0506
Monday, November 25, 2013
Interested in Photo Archives? You Should Be Reading This
The Society of American Archivists has several subgroups that focus on archiving particular types of materials. One of the these is the Visual Materials Section, which focuses on, well, visual materials like photographs and other images. Their most recent newsletter, Views, has a few articles of no interest whatsoever to genealogists, relating mostly to academic conferencing, and several articles that are very interesting to anyone interested in visual materials.
First, a quote I liked: "...every two minutes, the same number of photographs are made in the world today as was made during the entire nineteenth century." Stephen Fletcher, in a review of a symposium called Magnum Photos into the Digital Age. Imagine!
Second, the newsletter has a listing of new books and exhibits on photography, photographers and photographs. I wish Twentieth-Century Color Photographs: Identification and Care by Sylvie Penishon wasn't $65. (And why aren't academic publishers making ebooks? Seems like scholars, of all people, would be sympathetic to making books cheaper and easier to store!)
And third and best of all, the newsletter includes a listing of new digital archive projects. For example, The American Museum of Natural History Research Library Digital Special Collections has an image website that includes, among other things, "the Julian Dimock Collection which documents moments in the daily lives of African Americans in South Carolina, new immigrants at Ellis Island, and the Seminole
Indians of Florida at the turn of the last century; and the Lumholtz Collection which documents four expeditions led by ethnographer Carl S. Lumholtz to northwestern Mexico between 1890 and 1898,
with important portraits of the indigenous peoples of Mexico." Check it out at http://images.library.amnh.org/digital/
First, a quote I liked: "...every two minutes, the same number of photographs are made in the world today as was made during the entire nineteenth century." Stephen Fletcher, in a review of a symposium called Magnum Photos into the Digital Age. Imagine!
Second, the newsletter has a listing of new books and exhibits on photography, photographers and photographs. I wish Twentieth-Century Color Photographs: Identification and Care by Sylvie Penishon wasn't $65. (And why aren't academic publishers making ebooks? Seems like scholars, of all people, would be sympathetic to making books cheaper and easier to store!)
And third and best of all, the newsletter includes a listing of new digital archive projects. For example, The American Museum of Natural History Research Library Digital Special Collections has an image website that includes, among other things, "the Julian Dimock Collection which documents moments in the daily lives of African Americans in South Carolina, new immigrants at Ellis Island, and the Seminole
Indians of Florida at the turn of the last century; and the Lumholtz Collection which documents four expeditions led by ethnographer Carl S. Lumholtz to northwestern Mexico between 1890 and 1898,
with important portraits of the indigenous peoples of Mexico." Check it out at http://images.library.amnh.org/digital/
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