The Genetic Genealogist

Blaine Bettinger, author of The Genetic Genealogist was interviewed by Dick Eastman at the 2008 conference of the Federation of Genealogical Societies (FGS).

In addition to his blog on genetic genealogy, Mr. Bettinger has written as free eBook, "I Have The Results of My Genetic Genealogy Test, Now What?" The free book can be downloaded in .pdf format from The Genetic Genealogist blog and contained four chapters.

• Chapter 1: What Is (And Isn't) Genetic Genealogy?


• Chapter 2: How Do I Interpret My Y-DNA Results?


• Chapter 3: How Do I Interpret My mtDNA Results?


• Chapter 4: Monitoring the Field of Genetic Genealogy

Video - Dick Eastman interviews Blaine Bettinger at 2008 FGS Conference

Inauguration Day 2009

U.S. President Barack Obama is sworn in as the 44th President of the United States during the inauguration ceremony in Washington, January 20, 2009. The Bible Michelle Obama (2nd L) was holding is the same one that President Abraham Lincoln used at his inauguration in 1861. Daughters Malia and Sasha (R) watch the swearing in of their father.

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There are some days that you will forever remember where you were and what you were doing. Tuesday, January 20, 2009 is one of those days.

Even though I only live a little less than four hours from our nation's capitol, I was not about to go there on Inauguration Day and deal with the large crowds and the cold weather. On a normal day with tourism and all, Washington, D.C. is crowded and congested. I even have relatives and friends who live in the Washington, D.C. area, but that still didn't convince me to try to make the trip.

I was satisfied with watching the inauguration of our 44th president on television and online. My 86-year-old maternal grandmother Emma and I were glued to the television all day. Neither of us had ever watched an inauguration, but this one was quite special because of Barack Obama, the first African American President. Both of us were very excited and amazed at all the ceremony and pageantry of the festivities.

When I saw the crowd cheering and waving flags, I felt like I needed to wave something. I didn't buy an American flag as I had planned, but I waved a small towel to show my excitement for this inauguration.

How thrilling it was to watch as our new American President and First Lady walked down the street. Even though Michelle's dress was lined and padded, she still had to be cold. I thought about her later in the week when I wore a dress to work. As I got into the car to warm it up, I thought about my freezing legs and Michelle's freezing legs. Pantyhose and the cold weather just don't mix.

I stayed up a little past 8 p.m. to see Michelle Obama's dress. Didn't she look lovely in this ivory gown?

Conference Recordings

Were you unable to attend a genealogy conference? Then, you can still obtain some of the information missed through ordering conference audiotapes or CDs. I ordered several audio tapes a few years ago in order to advance my knowledge in certain areas. These tapes have been invaluable to my learning of new genealogy techniques. The best thing about it, is that I can listen to them repeatedly. Audiotapes cost $8.50 and CDs cost $10.

Jamb-Inc.com - Genealogy offers CDs from the following conferences:

• 2007 and 2008 National Genealogy Conferences
• 2008 Ohio State Genealogy Conference
• 2008 Federation of Genealogical Societies (FGS) Conferences
• Mesa Arizona Family History Expo 2008

Various genealogy conferences held between 1980 through 2004 are also available on audiotape.

• Audio Tapes - Genealogy

Creating a Podcast

As an instructor of online courses, I began using voice in my courses for lectures and announcements. Prior to using voice, everything was text and reading. However, adding voice to the course has enhanced student learning and course interaction. Students are also able to record verbal responses to questions.

Now that I see the value of adding voice in an online environment for learning, I’d like to try podcasting or adding voice to my blog. I already have the needed computer microphone and I understand that software needed for podcasting is free. I hope that that my fellow bloggers will join me in learning how to use this tool. Here are some video tutorials which explain the podcasting process.

Creating a Podcast


Podcasting in Plain English

Aretha Franklin – Queen of Soul

Aretha Franklin, the Queen of Soul, did an outstanding job (as usual) in singing at the inauguration of our new president, Barack Obama. I loved Aretha’s grey outfit, especially the hat with the large bow. Although I don’t wear “church hats” on a regular basis, I admire women who wear attractive hats. I have a maternal family history of hat wearing and this probably contributes to my admiration for “church hats.” It’s just something about a woman in a hat that completes an outfit.


Video - Singing “My County ‘Tis of Thee” at Inauguration of Barack Obama

White House Video Tour (Part 1) - Oval Office

This tour of the layout of the White House Oval Office conducted by President George W. Bush is quite interesting. I have seen many photos of this office, but having a tour is much more interesting. In just a few days, President-Elect Barack Obama will move into this office. Wonder what types of portraits, carpet, or busts will he choose?

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Movin' on Up – The Obamas

In less than a week, the world will witness history as the Obama’s move into the White House. This funny video, Obama’s Movin’ on Up captures the Obama’s rise to the White House.

Backyard Snow Photos

The back yard must have been a favorite spot for picture taking for my mother and her brother and sister. I have several backyard photos of my mother and her siblings standing in front of a piece of our family history—a tool shed built by their paternal grandfather, Minor Thornton (1893-1966). The photos below are the winter wonderland ones, however, there are also some springtime photos taken in the same spot in front of the tool shed.

I am told that Grandpa Minor was a carpenter by trade from Enfield, NC. When my mother and her siblings were growing up, their grandfather and grandmother would come to stay with their family for long periods of time. At some point, Grandpa Minor built this tool shed for his oldest son (Minor Elwood), who was my mother’s father.

My mother’s sister, Emma Belle, with a nice big snowball. I wonder if she threw it at some one after this photo was taken?

My mother’s brother John kneels in the snow for the photo.

Uncle John plays with one of the numerous family dogs.

This guy is probably my uncle’s friend Joseph. (I’ll have to ask either one of them to give me a positive identification.)

Memory Monday - I Pledge Allegiance to the Flag

On a hot sunny day during the summer of 1969, I sat alone on my front porch. It’s strange that I would be sitting outside on the porch because I always preferred staying in the house when I was a child. Since my street was always busy with cars driving by, I probably sat on the front porch to watch.

School was about to start, and I remember sitting on the porch that day excited about entering first grade. I always loved books and learning, so I can understand why I would be excited about school. Earlier that summer I attended a summer Head Start program which probably ignited my excitement for learning.

On that hot summer day, as I sat on the porch alone, I thought about the Pledge of the Allegiance to the United States. I probably was taught this oath during my summer in Head Start. As I began reciting the oath, I wanted to do it perfectly. My dilemma was which hand to put over my heart—the left or right. I’m not sure if I recited the oath correctly or even used the correct hand, but I can still envision myself on the front porch trying to prepare for school by reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag.

Although I may have not gotten it right that hot summer day, I would have plenty of opportunity during my 12 years in public school to recite this oath and learn that I needed to place my right hand over my heart. During those years, we stood and recited this oath every morning in school.

"I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America,

and to the Republic for which it stands:

one Nation under God, indivisible,

With Liberty and Justice for all."

I was wondering if the pledge of allegiance is still done in public schools today so I asked my 7-year-old nephew. He said ‘yes, they did,” so I asked him to recite the pledge. He recited the pledge with his right hand over his heart. Without prompting, his 3-year-old sister mimicked her brother and put her right hand over her heart as her big brother recited the pledge.

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For information on the history of the Pledge of Allegiance, visit the following websites.

The Flag of the United States of America

Pledge of Allegiance