Genetic Genealogy and the Increasing Police use of Commercial DNA Databases

They say when it rains, it pours!

In the last week by pure happenstance, I posted three articles relating to genetic genealogy on my Facebook page. (Psst...Have you liked the page yet? There's a good little group going over there!)

Two of the articles are on cold case resolutions thanks to the efforts of preserved DNA evidence combined with the research skill of genetic genealogists, while the final article deals with limiting police use of commercial DNA databases.

Case Resolutions

First, we learned from the Naperville Police Department about an arrest made in early June 2021 regarding the 1972 killing of Julie Ann Hanson, a 15-year-old girl from Naperville, Illinois. While the specifics of the DNA evidence were not elaborated upon, investigators were able to match their suspect, Barry Lee Whelpley, based upon this evidence.

The second solved case I posted about is believed to be the oldest murder case solved using genetic genealogy. Patricia Kalitzke and Lloyd Duane Bogle, two teenage sweethearts from the Great Falls, Montana area, were found murdered in 1956 with little evidence to pursue. In 2001 after re-examining a rape kit a DNA profile was able to be created. After ruling out various suspects with known DNA samples, the detectives uploaded the evidence in 2019 to various genealogy sites in hopes of gaining a match. This led detectives to a match with the family of Kenneth Gould. No arrests were able to be made, however, as Gould died in 2007.

Maryland's Limits

On the heels of both of these solved cases, and following high-profile cases such as the Golden State Killer and the Norcal Rapist being solved thanks to genetic genealogy, Maryland is putting some limits on the use of commercial genealogy sites. DNA was authorized to be gathered from criminal investigations in 1994 and the reach of this program was enhanced in 2008 by allowing the collection and storage of DNA from violent offenders.

This '08 expansion of the Maryland law was coupled with a stipulation that detectives could not search the state DNA database to locate relatives of a suspect. More than a decade later privacy experts wanted to expand this protection to all commercial databases, which were not included in the previous update.

Rather than an outright ban on the use of these commercial genealogy databases, Maryland will follow suit with how Montana and Utah have helped delegate these issues, striking a balance between privacy and law enforcement's ability to conduct the most thorough investigation possible. Defendants may turn to these websites to prove their case, a move lauded by the Innocence Project, and the police may only access commercial genealogy databases in cases of serious violent crime after exhausting all other resources and seeking permission from a judge.

In Conclusion...

I support using available DNA databases to link up cold cases or cases with no active leads on particularly heinous crimes to possible suspects. I support doing this only within established procedures. This means that many agencies around the country would need to create or adopt policies so they are ready to use them when needed. Oversight is needed so that police are not solely relying on commercial DNA databases to solve a crime, but using them instead as one tool out of many at their disposal.

Let me know what you think below!

Happy Researching!
- Patricia Gray

Obituaries in Your Research

As genealogists, we are just as interested in mundane details about an individual’s life as larger ones. Getting birth, marriage, death, and divorce information about someone is essential in building out a biography, while the minor details, like hobbies, occupations, and achievements, help flesh out a story and bring it to life.

Obituaries are most commonly found for ancestors deceased within the last 120 years and are a great way to help fill in these peripheral details about a person’s life.

What Can Obituaries Do For You?

Obituaries are something of open-ended questions for researchers. We aren’t certain there was an obituary published unless we have first-hand knowledge of it. If our searches turn up empty, are we not finding it because it does not exist or because we are not searching the right location? Also, we do not know what information is included or if it will be accurate. Despite these challenges, obituaries provide a wonderful glimpse into an ancestor’s life.

Some things an obituary may provide you with include:

Birth, death, and burial dates and locations
Marriage dates and spouse names
Children and grandchildren names
Names of siblings and respective spouses
Occupation, Hobbies, Religion

Where Can You Find Obituaries?

Obituaries can usually be found printed or online in newspapers, or online from funeral homes local to the deceased’s last place of residence. A person who dies in Sioux City probably won’t have an obituary in New York City, for example.

Newspapers often have a recent archive available online. A quick search of the newspaper’s website will help locate the archive. Sometimes these will cost money to view articles or gain access to the archive.

If the newspaper does not keep an archive, or the date of the possible obituary is outside the range of the online archive, searching repository sites like the Library of Congress, Google Newspaper, FultonSearch, and SmallTownPapers can help track down a local newspaper.

Another possibility is a local library. Infrequently, local libraries will have an index of obituaries or may have access to local papers via their online resources. Even if you are not a member, contacting the library for assistance will usually pay off if they have a holding that might be of use for your research.

Modern Obituaries

Modern burial packages often include an online obituary hosted by the funeral home’s website. This move towards online obituaries was fueled by the overall decline of newspapers and brings with it a variety of challenges.

Because these obituaries are online, we can no longer access an archive at a college or library to get that old newspaper that has grandma’s obituary. Some funeral homes host obituaries for a predetermined amount of time before they either disappear or end up behind a paywall.

Obituaries offer genealogists and family historians a wealth of information. Sometimes difficult to find, the payoff is typically worth the effort it takes to find them. For assistance in finding more obituaries, I have a list of free newspaper resources over on the Genealogy Resources section of this site.

Happy Researching,

- Patricia Gray

Free Surname Chart with Soundex

Have you ever had an ancestor that seemed to have a different spelling with each census and vital record they filled out? There are a few basic search tips for dealing with surnames like this, including using the ‘Sounds like’, ‘Similar’, and ‘Soundex’ options on Ancestry. These let you search for names that are pretty close to the term that you entered, a more comprehensive way to search a database than just with a single keyword.

Soundex is a particularly helpful tool when researching names that tend to be frequently misspelled. In short, a Soundex code consists of a letter and three numbers, assigned to a word based on a Soundex coding guide.

The last name Rybczak, for instance, would be R-122 and Ashcraft would be A-261. There are various tools available to help with these conversions, but it’s nice to know the how behind the method.

The last name Wajdak, one I research often, has a soundex code of W232. Wojtak, Wojdak, and Wojtach are also found under this code, so searching W232 searches all these names at once, as well as the dozens of others that fall under this code.

Knowing the Soundex code of a name you frequently search will not be the end of your searching woes, I assure you! But it is one more tool in your genealogy toolbox that you can use to help find what you are searching for.

To help my research on names I find frequently misspelled, I started keeping a list of surname variants I came across and where they appeared. This not only lets me keep track of possibilities to use in future database queries, but also helps me analyze differences in surnames over time.

After a few requests, I published the fillable chart I personally use but wanted to add something to it. The second page contains a mini-lesson on Soundex along with some outbound links that take you directly to a Soundex converter. There’s room on the chart for numerous spelling variations of a surname along with the sources where you found various spellings.

To get access to the free, interactive/fillable PDF, you need to make a quick account over at my MemberVIP page and then you’ll get instant access to my Fillable Surname Chart with Soundex.

Happy Researching!

- Patricia Gray

Single-Tasking for Genealogy

Have you ever sat down to research a family tree only to have this happen?

Multi-tasking is known for leaving overly-exhausted people and half-done tasks behind. Juggling multiple tasks at one time is only sustainable in short bursts, if at all. More often than not, quality is impacted for the sake of quantity.

Today is Single Tasking Day - a day that celebrates and encourages completing one task at a time, flying in the face of all those compliments you got for being able to multitask so well.

Single-tasking is not only engaging in a single task at a time but also breaking down that task into smaller parts as needed. This allows you to pay greater attention to what you are doing, completing the task with more quality and accuracy.

Implementing this can be difficult with limited time and a strong desire to complete a task. This situation can lead back to multitasking in an effort to just finish something.

So how to stay on track while researching?

Write It Down

I like to start by jotting down what I want to research. This is the main goal that I keep in front of me while I’m researching. I usually write this on scrap paper to keep on my desk so it isn’t lost in a sea of open tabs. I don’t worry about how long it will take or if I can finish it in one sit-down.

Before I begin any session of family history research, I pull up my database and documents and do a quick search to see if I have any previous research on this subject.

After I have my research topic and some notes about what I might already know, I begin my research. This process usually brings out some additional questions. For instance, my main research topic might be ‘John Planchard’s early life’ and I know from my previous notes that he is buried in a National Cemetery. This means he served in the military or died as a dependent of someone in the military. So now I know to look for possible military enlistment, a subtask I can add to my list. I may not be able to immediately switch gears to this subject, but I don’t want to forget it for later research.

Use a Research Log

Research logs are AH-mazing! tools. If you are not using one, start as soon as you can!

The research log I use is as easy as it can be - I use a single Google Doc for everything. I have had it for years. If I do something related to genealogy, it will probably get recorded in my research log. Make a backup of my files? It goes in the log, this way I know the last time I backed things up. Email a library? Goes in the research log. Get an email or Ancestry message? It gets copied and pasted into the document. This allows me one place to search.

I have also known people who successfully use paper notebooks. These, however, have the downside of not being as easily searchable as something on the computer. It is also easy to forget these at home. Google docs can usually be signed into from wherever you happen to be, either on your phone or a library computer.

Write A Summary

As your research session comes to an end, try to carve out a five-minute block of time where you can summarize your research and record it in your research log. It does not need to be fully complete documentation and sources do not need to be included unless you want them to be. This can be something like, ‘Researched John Planchard’s early life. Located birth & military records, index only, no originals. Found mother’s name: Mary Stevens on birth index.’

This is just a summary to help jog your memory later on when you come back to researching this topic again. This helps reduce the amount of duplicated research tasks. Summaries are only as good as your notes, so be sure to include full names so you know which John and Mary you were researching the next time you look.

Single-tasking can be more stressful than multitasking, especially at first. Our society is so accustomed to being BUSY that the very idea of not doing more than one thing at a time can seem difficult or inefficient.

Single-tasking your genealogy sessions will make them more productive and result in research that is better documented and more thoroughly examined.

Organizing Digital Files for the Family Historian or Genealogist

One of the top complaints I hear from family researchers and genealogists has to do with organizing their digital files.

Often, part of the problem is the overwhelming volume of documents and records that we tend to collect during our research.

Then there is also the problem of not remembering what a document is once it is downloaded. File names like 'image681x689from0x57to4892x5010.jpg' certainly do not help the situation.

So how are we going to finally get our crushing mountain of unorganized document neatly organized and tucked away neatly into organized folders?

As with any job, we need to first break this down into manageable tasks.

1. First, think about how you use your database

When you go looking for a file, how do you move through your documents? Do you just click around aimlessly – ‘… it might be over here… what about here … in my downloads? … what about here…’ A smarter approach would be to search using your file manager’s search box. This is possible if you are organized and have files named with searchable and useful terms.

Locating files using the search box is more efficient than aimlessly clicking around.

2. Use with broad categories

Most importantly, have a dedicated folder to house all your genealogical research. I use a top-level folder named “Genealogy.” Categories beyond this top-level should be simple and direct, yet broad enough to be effective.

“Death,” for example is a great folder name for housing all kinds of death-related material like death certificates, obituaries, death indices, and records.

“Texas Death Records,” however, probably will not be as useful. Even if you have plenty of family from the Lone Star State, you will still be guessing if an individual’s record will be in this folder or perhaps another folder. Will you need folders for every state? What about countries?

3. Find a naming scheme

This might take a couple of shots to settle into something that works for you.

File names should include enough information that you know what the file is and to whom the file mainly pertains. Remember not to use periods (.) in the file name to avoid system conflicts.

"Death Certificate - Smith, John P," is how I name most of my files. Marriage records will get both spouse's names: "Marriage License - Smith, John P & Brown, Susie M."

This keeps things simple, easy to read, and neatly organized. Records that have multiple pages, I simply add an 'a' and 'b' to the end of the file name. (Ex: "Marriage License - Smith, John P & Brown, Susie M a")

Census files get a little trickier because they contain so many people, especially when two or more related families live near one another. I've found that just including the highest-ranking person in the family, generationally speaking, in the file name works the best.

4. Stick with maiden names

Digital organization is one place that I strongly recommend against using married names for organizing. Even when a record names a female using her married name, I will still name that record as her maiden name in my database.

This is a deliberate decision on my part. I've written about using names in database organization before.

Here’s why:

When women marry, they tend to change their name. When a marriage ends, she may or may not go back to her maiden name. She may remarry and take on a third last name. Or more!

To make finding records about one person easy, I only use a person’s maiden name. This also keeps me from thinking Mary Smith, Mary Brown, and Mary Bates are all different people when I see their records.

By using maiden names, I can both easily find a person and reduce the chance of duplicates within my research.

5. Get rid of duplicates

This is going to take time but will happen naturally as you further organize your database. If you have selected a file naming scheme, this task will be made much easier as duplicate file names cannot be used.

For example, if you attempt to name two files “Marriage Announcement – Smith, John & Brown, Susie,” your file manager will alert you to the presence of a file already named this. You can check the file and see if they are, in fact, the same.

If they are not, add more information to the file name so that you can differentiate the two. For example, “Marriage Announcement – Smith, John P & Brown Susie M.”

6. Keep it up

Before you get invested in the next research session, sit down and clean out your downloads folder. Look at files and rename them before sorting them into the proper folders.

Taking care of this task refreshes your memory on who you were researching during the last few sessions and reminds you of any discoveries you might have uncovered. This habit also allows you to be better organized in the long run by keeping the contents of your unorganized download folder minimized.

Digital organization takes time to establish and will be an ongoing process after the initial setup. The reward is a somewhat neater database with information that is easy to find and use.

What are some challenges you face with digital organization? Let me know down below or over on my Facebook page.

- Patricia

How to Tackle Your Genealogy Research for Free

Genealogy can seem like an expensive hobby due to the overwhelming marketshare the paid sites have on the industry. They hold this stuatus for good reason, don't get me wrong. I also appreciate what the paid sites do for the genealogical community as a whole and the efforts they put forth to preserve and digitize records.

For the most part these paid sites are an aggregate of publicly available records. Therefore, if you know where to find the record, you can avoid paying to access free information.

This is not always possible, and this isn't to say that paid sites do not have their place in your research. They certainly do in mine.

Explore Your Options

Sign up for a variety of ancestry and genealogical websites. They'll each have a good base of the same information, but some may have a specialty they work with that could be handy to your research. Being familiar with the various offerings will allow you to learn where to research.

Get Organized

Keep a folder in your file system that is just for genealogy research. After you have a few different record types, you should figure out a way to organize these records that is both easy to maintain and also use.

Think about how you will access this information.

Be consistant in the way you name and organize files as you go to avoid being overwhelmed with a sea of files with names you cannot make heads or tales of.

Visit Your Library

Many public libraries offer free access to paid research sites like Fold3.com or Ancestry.com. You can only access these in-library and cannot connect items to your tree. You do have full access to their database for research and download.

You can also find free classes available at both public and genealogical libraries covering a variety of topics like DNA testing, research methods, and introduction to genealogy.

Engage Your Community

Reach out to who you know first. Begin with close relatives, asking questions about their knowledge of the family.

More distant relatives can be better corresponded with via email, which keeps a handy reference for future needs.

Network in person at some of the library events or local genealogical socieities. Go online and join a few Facebook Groups that are targeted toward your research interests.

On the whole...
Genealogy certainly does not need to cost you a dime to enjoy!

Website subscriptions alone can cost hundreds of dollars per year. Memberships to local societies can cost that again.

But these same services have free offerings, as well. Taking advantage of these is the best way to get the most out of your family history journey while staying on a budget.

- Patricia

RootsTech London Recap

The first international RootsTech was held this past weekend at the ExCel London exhibition and conference hall. For three days, family historians and genealogists from around the globe packed in to hear speakers deliver knowledge on a host of topics and network with companies and like-minded peers.

I was not able to attend but did follow along on Twitter and with the free recorded sessions that are available on the RootsTech website.

Day 1

The first day of sessions at RootsTech focused on the big picture, giving an overview of the major genealogical services that are available to us all - Ancestry, FamilySearch, MyHeritage, and Findmypast.

Gregg Richardson’s session covered FamilySearch and the ability to upload various types of family history items. Using straightforward examples and real-life situations Gregg discusses family memories; why they are indispensable to your ancestry journey, and ways these stories can connect us with the past.

Sunny Morton’s session was a vivid reminder for us all to branch out our research and not get stuck in the rut of only using one service while neglecting the others. She also tackled the question of, "Which service should I use?" in her lecture, explaining that the service providing the information you need is the correct one for you to use. In other words, branch out and get to know what is available to you. She gives a good overview of the types of records that are available at each site mentioned, as well.

Comparing the Genealogy Giants: Ancestry, FamilySearch, Findmypast and MyHeritage
Sunny Morton

Discover Your Family at FamilySearch: Photos, Stories and Memories
Gregg Richardson

Day 2

The sessions available for the second day of RootsTech London were all about British genealogy and Irish genealogy.

Researching these two can be difficult as record coverage is spotty. This infographic from Maurice Gleeson’s lecture sums up this idea in a concise visual manner:

Maurice’s session was a detailed talk you’ll want to watch over and over about the various resources available to seek out possible records for your Irish ancestors. As you can see from his infographic above, tracing Irish genealogy can be quite a task, but knowing where to look is essential in getting results.

Else Churchill’s sessions focused on 20th and late 19th century records for British genealogy. These records present their own set of challenges so, same as with Irish family history, knowing where to look is key for success.

Using some non-traditional records such as electoral rolls, phone books, and union records, Else shows us how we can still build out a life history for our 20th century British ancestors.

A Strategic Approach to Irish Genealogy
Maurice Gleeson

Tracing 20th Century English Ancestors - The Joys and Challenges
Else Churchill

Day 3

DNA was the topic du jour for the final day of the RootsTech free sessions. These two sessions are essential to watch if you want to know more about DNA testing basics. Both Michelle and Debbie provide real-world examples to walk you through various DNA examples as they explain how DNA can help with your ancestry exploration.

The main idea that both of these sessions emphasize is that DNA alone is not a “magic bullet” for your research, as Debbie says. DNA is used in conjunction with other genealogical data to help further support research.

DNA Is Dynamite - How To Ignite Your Ancestral Research
Michelle Leonard

Getting Started with DNA
Debbie Kennett

I had a fun time following along on Twitter and seeing people meet up for the first time in person. The sessions were informative and easy to follow, often with questions following the talk.

I’m looking forward to the rest of the talks becomming available next year! I’m still catching up on last year’s sessions!

- Patricia

Gray's Genealogy

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