DNA : Fishing in a Different Pond

I went fishing recently in a different pond for my DNA genealogy by ordering a kit from FamilyTreeDNA.  I've found the whole experience in DNA genealogy fascinating, and I've heard so many good things about their service.  Plus, I've heard fellow researchers indicate that FTDNA has more folks who test there who are genealogists, and therefore would be more likely to have a paper trail genealogy.  In order to find as many relatives, I'm fishing in as many ponds as possible.

One of the first things I noticed that was different about FTDNA versus 23andMe was that my matches who are listed all have names and links to send emails and contacts.  So many times, matches at 23andMe were anonymous and so you really didn't know who you were reaching out to.  I also like the "in common with" feature, where I can see all the matches who I share with that match.

One difference I noticed was the ethnic makeup.  Below is how my ethnic makeup appears at FTDNA:

My closest match is predicted to be a 2nd to 3rd cousin.  I happen to know who this person is, and she was actually a 1st cousin 3 times removed on my mother's side.  She is part of my Swafford family line.  It was nice to see the confirmation.

This new source of DNA genealogy information will give me even more work to do - enough to keep me busy for years to come.

Census Sunday : Herbert Chew household, 1940, Oakland County, Michigan

My paternal first cousin 3 times removed, Herbert Christian Chew, was enumerated in the 1940 census in Pontiac, Oakland County, Michigan.  He was living in Block 410 of the city, in a home he rented with his wife.

1940 U.S. census, Oakland County, Michigan, population schedule, Pontiac, enumeration district (ED) 63-87, SD 17, sheet 5D, household 118, ; digital images, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 1 March 2015); National Archives, Washington, D.C..

The family consisted of Herbert, aged 37 years old and his wife, Magdeline, aged 34.  Both were born in Indiana and had resided in the same place in 1935.  Herbert had completed four years of high school, and Magdeline had completed three years.

Herbert's occupation was listed as a foreman in an auto plant, and Magdeline's occupation was listed as a machinist in an auto plant.

Prior to this find, my latest information on Herbert was the 1920 census, when he was living in his father's household in Adams County, Indiana.  I do not have a record of his marriage, and will search Michigan records for it.  Several members of the Chew family had moved to Michigan.

Census Sunday is a daily blogging prompt used by many genealogy bloggers to help them post content on their sites.

State & Federal census sheets are filled with information for genealogists. Both the population & non-population schedules give us insights into the lives of our ancestors. What have you found that is Surprising? Reassuring? Bewildering? Census Sunday is a daily blogging prompt suggested by Colleen Pasquale of Leaves and Branches.

Surname Saturday : Brown(e)

The BROWN(E) surname is in my maternal line.  The origins of the surname are English.

Stories and history :

Ahnentafel # 1539 : Martha Brown (1699-1774).  Martha was born June 16, 1699.  She married William Fessenden (1694-1756) on January 4, 1728 in Cambridge, Middlesex County, Massachusetts.  William was born 1694 in Cambridge, Middlesex County, Massachusetts.  They had eight children.  William died May 26, 1756 in Cambridge, Middlesex County, Massachusetts.  Martha died February 23, 1774 in Cambridge, Middlesex County, Massachusetts.

Ahnentafel # 3078 : Rev. Ichabod Brown (1666-    ). Ichabod was born September 5, 1666 in Cambridge, Middlesex County, Massachusetts.  He married Martha Woodbury (1677-    ) on May 31, 1693 in Cambridge, Middlesex County, Massachusetts.  Martha was born in 1677 in Beverly, Essex County, Massachusetts.  They had at least one daughter.  

Ahnentafel # 6156 : Thomas Browne married Martha Eaton.  Nothing further known.



Surname Saturday – create a post in which you discuss a surname and mention its origins, its geographical location(s) and how it fits into your genealogy research. Surname Saturday is an ongoing series at GeneaBloggers.