by Phillip G. Goff, GGFA Director of Genetic Genealogy When researching family tree mysteries, my genetic genealogy time is typically allocated about 90% to autosomal DNA (“atDNA”), such as the Ancestry.com test, and the balance to YDNA analysis. If you have not checked out the three-part blog, “I’ve Taken a […]
by Jennifer Alvarez, President of GGFA Let’s start diving into your DNA information. In Ancestry, open your DNA test and you will see three main categories, DNA story, DNA matches, and Thrulines. I hope through this three part series you have the tools to feel confident to dig into those […]
by Jennifer Alvarez, President of GGFA If you have taken an autosomal DNA test at one of the big companies, your results will initially be listed from closest matches to more distant matches. Matches are measured in a unit called centimorgans, abbreviated cM. In the next entry in this blog […]
by Jennifer Alvarez, President of GGFA There are three types of DNA tests available commercially that are useful to genealogists, mitochondrial DNA, y-DNA, and autosomal DNA. Next time, we will begin to explore autosomal DNA more deeply: strategies for autosomal DNA testing, understanding how matching works and how to link […]
by Phillip G. Goff, GGFA Director of Genetic Genealogy As of April 2023, 34 genetically distinct Goff, Gough and other surname variants have been proven through YDNA. At least 10% of these families trace to Ireland. Genealogy research in Ireland is particularly challenging for several reasons. First, most 19th century […]
by Phillip G. Goff, GGFA Director of Genetic Genealogy If you search for the term “brick wall” on the the GGFA website or GGFA Facebook site, is mentioned scores of times. These elusive ancestors may have been born as recently as the 19th century and as early as the 1500s […]
by Phillip G. Goff, GGFA Director of Genetic Genealogy The YDNA pages on the GGFA website are updated regularly for new discoveries and expanded analysis. As of March 2023, analysis of YDNA, atDNA and paper trail documentation has identified 34 genetically distinct Gough/Goff families around the globe. There are undoubtedly […]
by Phillip G. Goff, GGFA Director of Genetic Genealogy A January 2023 GGFA Facebook query noted that the book, Esmont, Virginia: A Community Carved From the Earth and Sustained by Story, is dedicated to Lucille (Purvis) Goff. She is described as “Esmont’s leading lady.” The poster was curious about the […]
by Phillip G. Goff, GGFA Director of Genetic Genealogy A November 2, 2021 GGFA Facebook post featured a studio portrait of a Native American woman and child ca. 1880-1900 from the Bud Lake and Randy Brewer Crow Indian Photograph Collection, Montana Historical Society. The photographer was “O.S. Goff, Fort Custer, […]
by Phillip G. Goff, GGFA Director of Genetic Genealogy A Chinese proverb says that “People from the past plant the tree, so we could hide in its shade.” Trees require nutrients from the soil, rain from the sky and light from the sun in order to grow. In the same […]