From geneablog Tracing the Tribe (Schelly Talalay Dardashti):

Have you been putting off testing for your DNA genetic genealogy? Perhaps this deal, which starts today, will prompt you to get moving.

Every summer, FamilyTreeDNA (FTDNA) offers great pricing which helps people get off the fence. Last summer’s special was the most successful in the history of the company.

The offer is for FTDNA group administrators to persuade people to test, grow the projects and also grow the largest industry database. The more samples in the database, the more probability you may find genetic matches.

If you’ve needed an impetus to start a DNA project, this may help you get it off the ground.

The special price starts today, June 5, and ends June 25. Kits must be paid for by June 30.

The prices for this short period are:

Y-DNA37 for $119 (normally $149)
Y-DNA67 for $199 (normally $239)
Y-DNA37+mtDNA for $159 (normally $238)

Now’s the time to learn more about your family!

And remember, FamilyTreeDNA will be at the JGSLA Conference in July. Bring your questions and talk directly to Bennett Greenspan!

Rabbi Bill Gordon

I am very sorry to inform the membership that we have recently learned of the recent passing of Rabbi Bill Gordon, a longtime member of JGSLA. Our most profound condolences go to his wife, Deena, and to the rest of his family and friends. May his memory be for a blessing.

For further info, click here.

Sarah Jessica Parker

Get Ready for the New “Who Do You Think You Are?” Television Series

Stock up on the popcorn and get ready for the new NBC hit show “Who Do You Think You Are?” The family history-focused series will lead seven celebrities on a heart-warming journey back in time as they discover more about the ancestors who came before them. Lisa Kudrow, who executive produced the show will be featured in the episodes, along with Sarah Jessica Parker, Spike Lee, Matthew Broderick, Susan Sarandon, Emmitt Smith, and Brooke Shields.  Ancestry.com is a partner with NBC on the show.

The idea for “Who Do You Think You Are?” originated from a show that has been phenomenally successful in the UK for several years. Since the show aired in 2004, the UK has seen a surge of interest in family history, and we hope and expect the same reaction from “Who Do You Think You Are?” in the United States.

Typically, celebrities play the role of someone else, however in this show they play no one but themselves. Because of this, “Who Do You Think You Are?” really shows the human side of these individuals, who experience a myriad of emotions as they learn their family history. Viewers can’t help but feel inspired and intrigued as they watch the episodes. Naturally, the show will lead viewers to begin thinking about and asking questions around their own family history.

What is wonderful about the show is that, with the celebrity appeal, the genuine emotion they experience, and the family storytelling nature of the show, “Who Do You Think You Are?” is perfectly poised to appeal to the masses – not just professional genealogists or family history experts.

Tune into NBC Fridays 8/7c beginning March 5. For more information about the show, go to:  http://www.nbc.com/who-do-you-think-you-are/.

The potential is great! You and your friends have an important role in making “Who Do You Think You Are?” the next biggest family history phenomenon since “Roots!”

Please help spread the news!

I vant you!

Dear Members:
This blog is supposed to be interactive!  Please post anything you think the rest of the members would be interested to know about!  Any interesting research finds?  Any news that our membership would be interested in hearing about? You can also make comments on existing posts, and if you do, it will make the blog all that much more interesting to read, and also help us to get to know each other better!

Sandy Malek (your President and moderator of this blog.)

Found by Susan Wichter, a member of our Board:

Faces of America With Henry Louis Gates, Jr.
Wednesday, February 10, 8:00pm
The Promise of America
Utilizing genealogical and genetic tools, Henry Louis Gates Jr. unearths the family histories of 12 prominent Americans in this series, beginning with cellist Yo-Yo Ma, director Mike Nichols and figure skater Kristi Yamaguchi.

Mark your viewing calendar if you are interested!

Go to KCET