23andMe DNA Kits: Dramatic Price Reduction

In case you have not heard, 23andMe and drastically lowered the price of a DNA testing kit from $299 to $99.  There is no subscription fee.  I do not know how long this price will last.

This test is for autosomal DNA, which seeks to identify the pieces of DNA you carry from all of your ancestral lines.

I have several people in mind that I wish to test.  The key to successful use of these DNA testing sites is to test family members from different branches of your tree.  To date, I have tested myself, both parents, my mother's brother, and two of my father's cousins.  Coincidentally, both of my father's cousins matched my maternal side- one to my mother and the other to her brother.

Hope that I am able to find a part-time job to cover the costs.

Also, please bear with me.  I am using a new computer with Windows 8.  Very confusing at present.

Amanuensis Monday: Aunt Mary's Birthday

Fourth in a series of transcribing the notes in the BISHOP family file at New York State Library in Albany.

Today's item is a letter written on the 5th day of December, 1900 by Anna P Kelsey to her cousin Mary, requesting that she honor the 10th day of December as the 100 year anniversary of the birth of their aunt Mary.

Cape Vincent, NY

Dec 5, 1900

My dear Cousin Mary

I received a letter from cousin Julia Wilson today (whose address is 1032 Pine Street, Boulder Col) asking that we might as a family celebrate the 10^th day of Dec 1900, as it is the 100^th anniversary of Aunt Mary’s birth- “In the only way we can, scattered over the continent as we are, by observing a special commemoration, a continual commemoration in our hearts, giving thanks 1^st for the noble lives of our grand parents, and their children” of whom (your father and mine, together with Aunts Mary, Maria, and Julia and Uncle Ogden,) we have such lovely remembrances.

2^nd  “That not one of their posterity has disgraced the name.”

3^rd  “That no quarrel, hatred, misunderstanding has ever entered the circle to spoil our home love.”

And 4^th a prayer for each of us, that we may have grace given us to live worthy of the ancestry which is our, Worthy of them.

Cousin Julia wishes me to “notify you of this call for our centennial commemoration and give her your address.  She will try on that day to send a short telegram to you.[“]

Lovingly your cousin

Anna P Kelsey

1900 United States Federal Census
Cape Vincent, Jefferson County, New York
Ancestry.com

Amanuensis Monday: Johnson and Lindsley of Connecticut

Part Four in the transcription of hand-written notes found in the family file of BISHOP at the New York State Library in Albany.

Frederick H Johnson.  Born April 6, 1804.  Died Jan 8, 1883.

Married

Nancy Lindsley.  Born Dec 22, 1802.  Died Apr 18, 1849.

Children:

Henry H Johnson.  Born May 5 or 9, 1825.  Died Aug 21, 1878.

Harriet L Johnson.  Born Feb 9, 1830.  Died Feb 10, 1830.

Harriet L Johnson.  Born July 29, 1831.  Died Mar 10, 1835.

Herman Johnson.  Born Feb 8, 1834.  Died Mar 14, 1835.

Chauncey Johnson.  Born Dec 21, 1835.  Died Aug 1901.

Frederick L Johnson.  Born Sept 21, 1839.  Died Aug 23, 1908.

Nancy Adelia Johnson.  Born Feb 1, 1843.  Died July 26, 1914.

Augusta Cornelia Johnson.  Born Jan 15, 1845.  Died Dec 18, 1917.

Mary C Johnson.  Born Oct 22, 1848.  Died Dec 7, 1848.

Ancestry.com collection

We can search records for this family to make them more real.  The Barbour Collection is digitized at Ancestry and is a great resource for these older Connecticut families.  Frederick W Johnson of Wallingford married Nancy Lindley of North Branford on April 6, 1824.