Genetic Genealogy Reaches New Milestone

In June genetic genealogy will pass a new milestone in its growth and development in the US. Two simultaneous conferences will occur -- one on each coast. It is notable that high quality speakers can be provided at both. I anticipate that both will attract large audiences.

The first will be DNA Day co-sponsored by the Southern California Genealogical Society and the International Society of Genetic Genealogists. This Thursday DNA Day is now in its third year as a lead in to the annual three day Jamboree. The 2013 and 2014 events were excellent.

 

For those of you who cannot attend either of these events live, the Burbank event offers "24 hours of exceptional DNA education without leaving home." The link in the previous sentence leads to a detailed list of presentations. For those who will be in Burbank, learning opportunities continue on Friday morning. At least one of the Friday workshops is already Sold Out, but there should be plenty of room at the consultation tables.

I'm giving two presentations on Thursday, will be at a consultation table on Friday morning and on an "Ask the Experts Panel" late Saturday afternoon. I hope to see many of you there.

On Saturday, June 6th, those of you on the East Coast will have the opportunity to attend a slightly different event. It is being billed by its organizers as:

The biggest, most extraordinary and most inclusive family reunion in history!

About the Global Family Reunion

What: A day-long festival of music, food, comedy, speeches and contests celebrating the fact that humans are one big family.
When: June 6, 2015
Where: The New York Hall of Science, on the grounds of the World’s Fair.
The Agenda: It will be a Family Reunion meets a World’s Fair meets a music festival meets a TED conference. There will be talks by celebrities, scientists and comedians! Music! Food! Exhibits! Contest! Games for all ages!
The Cause: Alzheimer’s. All proceeds go directly to charity.
Who’s Invited: You! All seven billion members of the human family. Those with a proven connection will get a bracelet and be part of the biggest family photo in history. See GlobalFamilyReunion.com for more details.
Entertainers and speakers: Henry Louis Gates Jr., comedian Nick Kroll, Lisa Loeb, Sister Sledge, Daniel Radcliffe (live or via video), filmmaker Morgan Spurlock, author A.J. Jacobs, Dr. Oz and comedian Michael Ian Black, and many, many, MANY MORE!.
Activities: Scavenger hunts, crafts, family trivia quiz by Ken Jennings, genealogy, storytelling, historical interpreters and over 450 exhibits from the New York Hall of Science, one of the top 10 science museums in the United States.
The Host: Conceived by bestselling author A.J. Jacobs. 

This event is cosponsored by FTDNA and Bennett Greenspan is a speaker.

That these events can be held on the same weekend and both have every indication they will be successful is a major milestone for genetic genealogy in the US. We need to take a moment and congratulate ourselves and then get back to work. We need to sell a lot of test kits at both events to build up our databases.