Genealogy for non-geniuses
I got a great question from a reader named Cosima over the weekend that I want to share with you: I know everyone is interested in DNA tests and ancestry, but we’re in a pretty interesting time when a lot of what we can do with genetics is a legal Continue Reading
Step aside double helix. There’s a new DNA shape in town: the “i-motif.” You read that right. The new DNA structure has recently been been discovered by scientists and looks like a knot of DNA. Though scientists have theorized the existence of the “i-motif” before, it hasn’t been observed in Continue Reading
April 25th is DNA Day — a day celebrating the anniversary of the Human Genome Project being completed as well as the discovery of the double helix. There’ll be events hosted all over the country to celebrate. For a full list of them, check out the Humane Genome Research Institute Continue Reading
One of my goals for April is to pitch to as many publications as I can. One of the places I pitched to was Genea-Musings, a very popular genealogy blog by Randy Seaver. I’m super pumped for my first guest post and hope to do a bunch more in the Continue Reading
Currently staring out at the white winter madness that is the blizzard raging in the backyard of my childhood home. This type of weather can make you feel equal parts mad and cozy. For me, I’m teetering on the brink of typing “All work and no play make Tony a Continue Reading
Genealogy is awesome. It’s endlessly heartwarming, maddeningly frustrating, and ceaselessly entertaining all in one hobby. (I’m sorry for any adverb-adversed folks I just triggered.) It can both solve mysteries AND open the Pandora’s Box to a ton of new ones as well. The things you learn can totally upend your Continue Reading
So some interesting developments. You know how I meant to call my mom’s sisters last week? That didn’t happen. I know. I know. I’m awful for backing out on my promises — BUT I had a good reason. You see, before I placed the phone call Mrs. H sent me Continue Reading
It’s been a big week. That’s an understatement. It’s been a HUGE week. Let’s recap: We found my grandfather. We discovered the identity of the man who fathered my mom and left her in Vietnam over 50 years ago. I told my mom about her father’s identity. My mom finally Continue Reading
So on Monday, I told y’all about how I found my grandpa after two years of searching. When I found him, though, I faced a really weird dilemma: Do I tell mom right away or wait until I see her? To me, it made sense to wait to tell her for three Continue Reading
We found him. My ong ngaoi. My grandfather. His name is Keith Brown. He lived in Houston, Texas. And he’s dead. There is a lot more to this story — but here are the fast facts: My mom’s uncle (Keith’s brother) appeared as a relative match. His name is Clifton. He’s Continue Reading