Stalking Strangers for Their DNA
Amy writes a number of interesting articles on DNA for the New York Times and frequently looks for volunteers on the very active DNA-L mailing list at RootsWeb. For this article she posted a request looking for stories of unusual tactics genealogists must sometimes use in their pursuit of DNA matches from suspected family members.
These genealogists have taken a bit of an extreme approach, but DNA testing for ancestry purposes can be fairly easy and fun. There will always be people who aren't interested in participating, but many can be brought around to the idea if you take time to explain to them the basics of ancestry DNA testing, including what it can and can't reveal.
Even if you wouldn't stoop to rescuing a person's coffee cup from the trash for their DNA, there are probably some strange things you have done in your pursuit of your past. What lengths would you go to (or have you gone to) to pad your pedigree? Click on "comments" below and share your crazy ideas or stories!
Comments
I read Amy Harmon’s article on “Stalking Stranger’s DNA…” As someone who does genealogy as a hobby, I can appreciate the possibilities of DNA testing. But as someone who spent 32 years in law enforcement, the attitudes of some of the people Ms. Harmon interviewed struck me as a little creepy. OK, very creepy.
What leads them to believe that their desire to trace their families apparently trumps someone else’s desire to be left alone?
While sneaking around looking for surreptitious methods of obtaining the DNA of someone who doesn’t want to give it voluntarily, should it not occur to the genealogist that there might be ethical issues with their conduct?
If an amateur genealogist is contemplating dumpster diving to obtain DNA of someone who has refused to provide it knowingly, alarm bells should be ringing in their heads, indicating that what they are contemplating has passed the bounds of acceptable behavior and has become bizarre.
While I have contacted strangers whose name appeared in my genealogical research, if they do not wish to correspond with me I bother them no more. After all, my curiosity about my family in no way is more important than someone else’s right to privacy.
Why is it when something good comes about, and gives many new hope in over coming that major block wall in their family research … people like this previous poster come crawling out of the woodwork …
I personally find this subject no where near as creepy as some of the law enforcement activities in the news off and on … Ok maybe the first word in the title of this article aided to the creepiness this poster feels … but don’t get hung-up on one word …
How green can one be in his family research to be using terms like “dumpster diving” surreptitious methods, bizarre behavior ???? give me a break, turn the lights on, get some fresh air
your talking about the roots of our very hobby … as if some wouldn’t use those terms in describing our activities of cemetery hopping or searching out those old dark dust courthouse basements not to mention the hours many of us spend on the internet conducting research in the various online databases …
Apparently the previous poster seem to not be educated in the field of “genetic genealogy” nor read beyond the whimsical antics of those interviewed in this entertaining article
Note: that the DNA test results used in genetic genealogy, does not identify “one” specific individual … but rather a whole group of directly link families
if one can’t willing participate in DNA testing for genealogical purposes, [especially those who are the end of the line with no other living descendants] then they themselves are supporters of propagating those so called “duct-tape” genealogies … in other words you could very well be tracing the entirely wrong family lines without any proof of bridging the gaps and/or assumptions “/
I tip my hat to Amy and those interviewed … you go guys !
Ken -
hdpth-DNA
another ISOGG co-founder
Hello, everyone!
I was with Derrell Teat in Georgia where we hoped to meet with one of my Hodgens relatives. I am trying to prove that my ancestor, Jacob Hodgens, is from the same family line of John B. Hodgens (an orphan or street urchin) born England 1766 who went to sea at age 7 and landed on our shores in 1785. This family has been researched for 50+ years. We knew he had 3 sons with the oldest being Derrell’s line and 3 years ago, we found the youngest son’s descendent with DNA. I believe the middle son is my Jacob because he named his eldest son John B. Hodgens and his eldest daughter Mary A. Hodgens, which is John B. Hodgens wife’s name.
In June of 2004, I telephoned a Hodgens gentleman in Georgia who was a descendent of Jacob Hodgens. He agreed to participate in the Hodgens Surname Y-DNA Project and that I would pay for the Test Kit. When I called him the next day to give him all the particulars, his son answered the phone and told me to never call again regarding the subject of DNA.
Derrell and I traveled to Georgia in Feb 2007 just to meet with the Hodgens gentleman, to give him a copy of the Hodgens family book and copies of all Hodgens documents I have collected. And, if he did not want to participate, maybe he could refer us to another male family member who might agree to be tested. He had told me that he met some of his friends at McDonald’s for breakfast every morning. Derrell and I discussed this and hoped to meet with him at McDonald’s (without his son), but this never happened. In fact, we never visited that McDonald’s while we were in Georgia. But quite honestly, if the possibility of getting his coffee cup arrived, Derrell was going to take it from the garbage receptacle! She had researched whether this was illegal or not and found out that once it lands in the garbage receptacle, it is no longer considered his property.
He refused to meet with us, but referred us to his sister and brother-in-law. His brother-in-law was very open to all we had to say and agreed to discuss this with his Hodgens relatives and to give them the Hodgens book and the documents. The Hodgens family is having a large reunion in July, and how great would it be to have descendants of all THREE sons represented!
To this day, the Hodgens gentleman has never said that he would not be tested. Of course, we are hoping if not him, then some other male Hodgens will step forward to be tested.
Derrell Teat never said that we were “stalking” this Hodgens gentleman. I was shocked when I read the Hodgens portion of the NY Times article! This is why Derrell and I wanted to read our portion of the article before it was published. To say that I am disappointed is an understatement. This article portrays us as “vultures” trying to get DNA in any underhanded way possible. This was not the fault of Amy Harmon, so no blame should be directed to her. The blame lies with the copy editor who’s job is to make the stories sensational so that they sell newspapers.
And I’m also disappointed that some of our fellow DNA project admins criticized us before they knew the whole story, and they might still do so. But quite honestly, we do not believe that anyone of us has the right to criticize or tell another admin that they are wrong. Each of us has our own ways and beliefs on what is right for our projects. I believe that none of us would intentionally hurt the DNA community and would have liked that same attitude felt toward us. We have only received positive responses from friends, family, project members and, surprisingly, the most support has come from complete strangers.
Best regards to all,
Candy Campise
Centerville, TX
Personally, I do not care WHO is related to me. I am very public about my markers. johnlloydscharf@yahoo.com