We see images and reports of wars in foreign lands daily on the TV news. It has desensitized us somewhat to the actual horrors the participants experience, but I’m sure those on the scene are forever affected. Like many men of his generation, my father fought in World War II. He spoke to us veryContinue reading “LETTER FROM A WWII WAR ZONE”
Tag Archives: ancestry
THE MYSTERY OF THE GERMAN WEDDING CUP
Dirk Hikken Baumfalk married Folka Freese in Norden, Germany, on April 26, 1862. He was twenty-eight, she was twenty-six. I have a porcelain teacup with a painted inscription that looks like “Fuleke Baumfalk geb, Freese.” When we inherited this item through my husband’s family, I assumed it was used at this wedding. Since then, IContinue reading “THE MYSTERY OF THE GERMAN WEDDING CUP”
The Story Behind The Love Genes
I’m sure many of you have done a DNA test now that they have become widely available for matching up relatives. Even if you haven’t, many television programs focus on how detectives can use DNA to identify suspects in crimes, and how genealogists use genetics to trace the guest stars’ roots. The science becomes moreContinue reading “The Story Behind The Love Genes”
Who’s Writing Now?
It was inevitable that there would be artificial intelligence programs capable of creating essays, novels, and all sorts of written material. Robots can vacuum your floors and drive a car. I’m still holding my breath for that hover car they had in the Jetsons. But I decided it was time to test drive ChatGPT, anContinue reading “Who’s Writing Now?”
What’s In Your DNA?
There are a number of DNA testing facilities available now, including Ancestry.com and 23andMe. My DNA profile tells me that I am mostly (58%) descended from ancestors from the British Isles. I was surprised when I first saw this as my ancestry tells me that I should be 25% Danish, as my grandmother’s parents wereContinue reading “What’s In Your DNA?”