Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with ancestry

How much do I need in savings for my UK Ancestry visa?

BAKERSFIELD! — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 11:39:30 -0800

I'm applying for an Ancestry Visa to enter the United Kingdom. How much money do I need to have in my savings account to demonstrate I can support myself? I have a job offer, my contract starts in January. I also have a cousin I can stay with when I arrive. Has any other Mefite applied for Ancestry and know approx how much I need to scrape together to improve my application?

Any other advice on this process is much appreciated.

Proof of Irish citizenship for someone born, adopted in 1880s?

zippy — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 11:01:54 -0800

Is this possible to search for (or prove the absence of) my Grandmother's Irish birth certificate and Irish citizenship from the comfort of my own armchair in the US, ideally inexpensively? My grandmother was born in 1883 to Irish parents, possibly in Limerick, possibly in Rhode Island (US).

I would like to know for certain whether she was born in Ireland and was an Irish citizen to satisfy the "yes, you can be a citizen if your grandparent was" Irish citizenship clause.

In other words I would like to track down my grandmother's "full civil birth certificate if born after 1864..."

Possible confounding factor - when she was a young girl (age 7 or so) her family put her up for adoption in the US. I do have her birth parents' names.

I could travel to Ireland and do this search in person at the General Register Office but this office doesn't appear to offer an option where I can do the search on-line or commission them to look someone up.

I presume that if I found a birth certificate for her in Rhode Island, this would confirm she was not born in Ireland, though I do not know if this was the case for registration and citizenship at the time. Consider this a bonus sub-question - would a Rhode Island birth cert. negate the whole Irish thing for someone in the late 1800s?

How much science in genealogical DNA tests?

Devonian — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 15:50:50 -0800

Help me, MeFi geneticists! Commercial genealogy testing - all it seems? I've got a few questions about genealogical DNA testing - you know, the sort that purports to tell you about your ancestors in exchange for a large but affordable sum. This has been provoked in part by a relative of mine going in for one of the tests, and being very disappointed in the result, or at least as much of it as she understood. I've had a look too, and I can't work out how to check the promises by the companies nor, given that they're often run by academics still in place in universities, the academic nature of the science they use.

These tests apparently look for markers for single nucleotide polymorphisms on the y chromosome or mitochondrial DNA, places where there's variation between populations in humans. Supposedly these can show you shared a common ancestor with groups. But can they do all that's claimed - when a gene came into a country, or when a mutation occured, and if so to what precision? Can they identify a gene as belonging to group such as Irish, or Celtic, or whatever? And, perhaps most pressingly, how much of the promise of the commercial personal genealogical DNA testing industry is based on academically respectable and applicable work? Some of these places seem to offer quite detailed breakdowns of when and where a particular marker became important, and I don't understand how.

Any enlightenment or pointers thereto, much appreciated!

(I''ve read the previous Ask MeFi posts on this, but they don't seem to cover the above)

Alternatives to family bible for tracking family tree, offline or otherwise

GPF — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 08:02:39 -0800

I'd like some suggestions for a place to keep track of family births and events, much like traditionally done in a family bible. Books are nice, but all media considered. Points given in three categories: potential longevity, flexibility of data handling, and style. Some examples:

An acid-free archival printing of the Gutenberg bible:
- high longevity scores (books can last a long time)
- low data handling scores (once the system starts, its tough to change)
- mid style scores (admittedly subjective, but though iconic, its still a bible)

A full-blown premium plus account at Ancestry.com:
- mid longevity scores (the technology is unproven on large time scales)
- high data handling scores (much flexibility on online solutions)
- low style scores (can't really put it on a pedestal in the family library)

A mural in oil paint on the stone fence out back:
- low longevity scores (needs constant maintenance)
- low data handling (needs professional assistance)
- high style scores (probably the only one in the neighborhood)

Seeking Fortin, my grandfather

azieger — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 19:59:32 -0800

I'm doing a family tree. As part of doing this, I'm trying to trace the ancestors of my maternal grandfather, Lawrence Fortin. The problem is that not only did he die before I was born (in the 40s), as it turns out he was adopted by the Fortin family. The question is, where on earth do I begin in finding records on Lawrence Fortin and who his biological family was? Note: unfortunately, I'm starting out knowing nothing about him, since my late grandmother kicked him out in the late 40s and disliked talking about him. My mom doesn't remember him. All I can tell you is that they lived in Worcester, MA during their marriage and were probably married there.

By the way, in case this helps sleuths out there, he allegedly died at age 28 (again, late 40s), of cirrhosis of the liver (you see why grandma booted him), in a hospital in Rhode Island.

Also, at the risk of being obvious, from my other geneological studies I've learned that many, many Fortins emigrated from Quebec around the turn of the century. Don't know if that helps or not.

As of 2008, what can science tell me about my genetics thru DNA testing.

cadastral — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 06:20:55 -0800

Wondering if anyone here has had a Genealogical DNA test for purposes of learning more about your distant (ie. not recent/paternity) ancestors. I have questions about the differences (price, service, thoroughness) of the various companies offering this service, the type of data that different tests can produce, and ways this data can be (constructively) interpreted. I had heard of various folks having these tests done (one example of many) for all kinds of reasons. I was/am interested, and I researched it a bit. But I got overwhelmed somewhere between Y-chromosome DNA haplogroups and Mitochondrial DNA haplogroups, and started wondering just what, exactly, these tests could actually deliver.

Then, to confuse me even further, at minute 1:10 of this YouTube video, Christopher Hitchens says the following, which, if true, raises my estimation (and expectations) for these tests a hundred-fold:

"...and I, by the way, have been to the National Geographic... and had--as you can have, for a hundred bucks--my DNA analyzed. And I can show you on a map which part of Africa my ancestors come from. Looks like Angola, In my case."

So, MetaFilter... please clear my head. My questions (to start) are these:
• How much (and how specifically) can these tests tell me about my ancestry (best case/worst case)?
• What types of tests exist, and what are the strengths and weaknesses of each type?
• Which suppliers/labs dealing in these tests do you have a personal (even anecdotal) experience with that has led you to have either a high, or a low opinion of them?
• What price range are these tests?
• What combination of test_type/lab/other_variables will most likely produce the largest, most enormous and rich mountain of (worthwhile) interpretable data?
• What are the things that I am certainly overlooking that I should not be?

If this helps at all: I'm a white guy, mostly Northern European ancestry. I'm totally ignorant about, and incredibly stoked by the "non-mostly" part of that equation, and I'm chomping at the bit to get this done. Yes, it's vanity, but please indulge me this one thing. I'll wear the same shirt all next week in penance.

While I'm not very well-versed in the biological sciences, I'm not afraid of reading links you send or learning about it. In other words... not a "tell me like I'm 6-years-old" type of deal--more like a "tell me like I am an conscientious, interested, incoming freshman to your "intro to bio" class"... (or somewhere in-between). Many thanks.

Who's your daddy?

Anonymous — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 18:38:21 -0800

How can someone who was conceived by artificial insemination get some information about her identity? Hello. I'm the product of artificial insemination done in the US during the late 70s. I understand that it is impossible to ever know who my biological father is, but I am curious about my roots and also, more practically, if I am prone to any sickness or diseases. I'm not sure if I have a right to find this stuff out. A staff at the hospital where "I" was, um, conceived volunteered to help me a few years ago get those documents which I am entitled to see (whatever they are), but after a few weeks, she said that my records were missing, probably destroyed in a flood which occurred years ago. So in the end: nothing.

Is there anything I can do to get some information about my ancestry? I'm curious about who I am and wonder if any of you know of any options to find out _anything_ at all. Much appreciated.

Personal emails can be sent to

immaculately.conceived2007@gmail.com

If they can find out my DNA line why couldnt OJ pay to find real killer?

beccaj — Tue, 11 Jul 2006 12:31:36 -0800

Has anyone ever done the National Geographic Genographic Project ?? It's the one where you swab cheek -they map your DNA (maternal or paternal).. A friend did this ($100) then had an option to do more testing (an undisclosed amount -think 200-300). He said according to info on paternal line he is 85% Irish ancestry (he an African American man).
Seems pretty interesting (accurate tho??). I just bought 2 kits as a gift for my dad (maternal and paternal lines) and would love to know if anyone's done or heard things about this.

Grazie, grandma!

mdonley — Wed, 10 May 2006 08:34:28 -0800

How do I get my great-grandfather's and great-grandmother's birth and marriage certificates from the town of Randazzo (province of Catania, Sicily), Italy? Recent conversations with Grandma have exposed that I (and my brother and father!) can get an Italian passport based on my paternal great-grandfather's Italian citizenship. As an EFL teacher seeking jobs in the EU, this is really exciting news.

I've done some (e-)footwork here.

The Italian consulate in Los Angeles, the consulate closest to my home in the States and the one we'll be dealing with, wants my great-grandfather's and great-grandmother's birth and marriage certificates. We think we've got access to all the other things they want. The consulate doesn't seem like it wants to be very helpful in finding the documents - they ask only to be contacted once all the documents are present - and I'm living in Indonesia right now, so it's not exactly a "just pick up the phone" situation.

Now, the town has a website, where, I think, one can request vital records like birth certificates, or at least ask about them. However, it's all in Italian, and while I'm not sure, I think I'd have to be in Italy to physically obtain and sign for the record.

There's an e-mail address for someone who deals with "anagrafe," "registration," which seems like the appropriate department, but I could be wrong.

I've stuck some links at the bottom, all of which are linked to or are part of the town's official site, but which I can't read. Any help on your part, Italian-speakers of AskMe, would be much appreciated.

The town's official site is here: http://www.comune.randazzo.ct.it/

The town's list of e-mailable officials, I think:
http://www.comune.randazzo.ct.it/comune/INDIRIZZIEMAIL.htm

A website which seems to offer some kind of e-vital documents service?
http://www.comuni.it/autocertificazione/certificati/certificazioni.htm

This seems like a common thing we New Worlders try to do - anyone out there with experience in the Italian-ancestry hunt who can offer some advice? Lastly, if anyone could provide me with some sample Italian text I can use to e-mail the right people, I'd love you forever!

Help me figure out my Irish ancestry ...

WCityMike — Fri, 17 Mar 2006 10:24:30 -0800

Help me determine how much green blood runs through my veins. My paternal great-grandmother was born to a man of 100% Scottish heritage and a woman of 100% Irish heritage, but she was born in County Down, Ireland.

Would she be considered 100% Irish, by virtue of her birthplace, or 50% Irish, by virtue of her genetics?

I'm trying to figure out if on this foine holiday, I'm an eighth Irish or a sixteenth Irish. (No Irish blood on any other branch of the family tree.)

[Rather appropriate of me to be posting this on "the green," don't you think?]

Family Tree Program

grumblebee — Mon, 09 Feb 2004 15:53:28 -0800

Is there a free/cheap family-tree program (for the PC) that outputs in ascii text (with dashes, pipe-symbols, etc. as the connectors between people) or HTML format?