Official blog of Genealogy Friends of Plano Libraries. Be sure to follow us on Facebook. Send news to newsletter@genealogyfriends.org.
NYG&B is offering a free week of seminars Nov 3-7. Programs include getting started with New York research, what to do if your ancestor's military personnel file burned in the fire, veterans of WWI, resources available at newyorkfamilyhistory.org, and more.
For more information or to register https://www.newyorkfamilyhistory.org/events/nygb-week-november-2025
MyHeritage announced they are changing from array-based DNA testing (used by all the testing companies in the industry) to whole genome sequencing. The price of their testing won't change and the test provides more data. Here is a link to their press release https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251014913163/en/MyHeritage-Upgrades-Its-Consumer-DNA-Tests-to-Whole-Genome-Sequencing
From their press release:
Whole Genome Sequencing reads almost the entire human genetic code, covering around 3 billion base pairs (nucleotides). This is superior to the standard genotyping arrays used by most consumer DNA tests, including MyHeritage until recently, which read only about 700,000 base pairs. More data enables deeper insights across all types of genetic analysis. Whole Genome Sequencing is now being applied to most new MyHeritage DNA kits currently being processed at the lab, and to every new MyHeritage DNA kit sold moving forward. MyHeritage DNA kits already processed with the older genotyping array technology will not be reprocessed with Whole Genome Sequencing. Customers whose MyHeritage DNA kits are processed with Whole Genome Sequencing will be able to download their entire genome from MyHeritage at no cost, in CRAM format. They may also unlock additional insights by uploading their data to other trusted genetic service providers that support such uploads.
Diane Southard's Blog Post explains the new testing and some of the implications. You will need to setup a free account to read the blog post. https://my.yourdnaguide.com/c/diahan-s-corner/a-big-change-at-myheritage-what-it-means-and-why-i-m-watching-closely
Join other libraries across Texas and Oklahoma to see webinars throughout the day on genealogy research in person at the library or via Zoom. Registration https://plano.
23andMe Ancestry Composition
23andMe announced a significant update to Ancestry Composition is coming soon. The algorithm was last updated in 2022. They are improving the specificity of reference populations and updating the methods underlying the algorithm to provide more specificity and accuracy in the information provided.
The announcement included:
Ancestry now has an AI Image Transcription tool in beta. Here is how to use it:
1. Upload an image of a letter, newspaper article, etc., into your gallery.
2. Open the image, in the upper left is a Transcribe button. Click It.
3. The transcription appears in a window on the right side of the screen.
Here is the image I used and the transcription generated
Join Genealogy Friends of Plano Libraries in person at W.O. Haggard Library, 2501 Coit Rd., Plano, TX or via Zoom on Saturday, September 20, 2025, for a free seminar. To join our mailing list and receive Zoom info for seminars, email newsletter@genealogyfriends.org.
"How to Reopen and Work a Genealogical Cold Case" by Lisa Louise Cooke
Become a genealogical detective in this vital session. You'll learn how to track down ancestors like a criminal cold case detective, following their distinctive process. Learn how to sniff out holes in your research and get missing information on the record using a variety of methods including cutting edge technology.
Lisa Louise Cooke is the author of several books including The Genealogist's Google Toolbox, 3rd Edition. She produces and hosts the popular Genealogy Gems Podcast (founded in 2007) and publishes weekly videos at the Genealogy Gems YouTube channel. She offers a premium Membership Service at her website, https://lisalouisecooke.com featuring exclusive on-demand genealogy education. And she writes a regular column for Family Tree Magazine and produces the Family Tree Magazine Podcast.
Citations
"The Main Citation Types" video by Lisa Stokes is available on YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z1lNAFj_jWU She also offers a free Master Citation Template Starter Kit on her website https://lisa-stokes-heritage-research.kit.com/master-citation-template
New York State Death Index
NYB&G has a image browse-only collection of official Department of Health death index records for every county in New York State (excluding New York City, Albany, Buffalo, and Yonkers until around 1915), covering the years 1880-1956. https://www.newyorkfamilyhistory.org/online-records/collection/new-york-state-death-index
For more recent deaths, researchers should use New York State's Interactive Ancestry/Genealogical Research Death Index, which begins in 1957 and contains deaths up to 1974. https://health.data.ny.gov/stories/s/Interactive-Ancestry-Genealogical-Research-Death-I/x83h-k5ey
Railroad Maps, 1828 to 1900
The Library of Congress has images of 635 railroad maps on its website. Our ancestors traveled on railroads and possibly settled near the railroad. https://www.loc.gov/collections/railroad-maps-1828-to-1900
RootsMagic 11
RootsMagic 11 is available and on sale until September 30th. New Users $29.95 and Upgrades $19.95 - that's $10 off. Improvements include a clearer, more comfortable workspace, a life story at a glance, better editing and a new sources view, better searching, and an AI prompt builder. https://www.rootsmagic.com/rootsmagic/buy
Dallas Genealogical Society Fall Seminar
DGS presents "Strategies for DNA Breakthroughs" with Kelli Bergheimer on October 25, 2025. Information is available on their website https://dallasgenealogy.org/meetings-events/2025-fall-seminar/
TxSGS Live
Texas State Genealogical Society presents "Deep In The Heart" on Friday and Saturday, November 7-8, 2025. Ten live sessions featuring nationally recognized speakers on the two live days are paired with 20+ recorded lectures that you can watch at your convenience through February 6, 2026.
Speakers and Topics https://www.txsgs.org/2025-txsgs-conference-speakers-and-topics/
Registration https://www.txsgs.org/2025-conference-registration/
DAR Annual Reports to the Smithsonian Institution
When the Daughters of the American Revolution was incorporated in 1896, it was required to submit an annual report to the Smithsonian Institution. The reports are available on the DAR website. Records for female ancestors are often hard to find. If you have an ancestor who was an officer of the DAR they will be listed. These reports also include projects the group worked on. https://www.dar.org/collections/archives/smithsonian-report
John Grenham - Griffiths Valuation New Features
When you choose a surname you see the results for all of Ireland. You can add a county and or parish, and you can now drill down in Griffith's Valuation to the townland level. This might help locate your ancestors in Ireland. https://www.johngrenham.com/blog/2025/09/17/the-greatest-thing-since-sliced-bread/
