Future Learn presents online courses from the top universities in Europe. They are free unless you choose an upgrade which entitles you to unlimited access to the course and a Certificate of Achievement. For general information go to https://www.futurelearn.com/courses

 Check out these courses which might be of particular interest to those of us who are interested in Irish genealogy:

 Irish 101: An Introduction to Irish Language and Culture
Dublin City University, Dublin
https://www.futurelearn.com/courses/irish-language

Irish Lives in War and Revolution: Exploring Ireland’s History 1912-1923
Trinity College Dublin
https://www.futurelearn.com/courses/irish-historyIrish Family History Forum

Genealogy: Researching Your Family Tree
University of Strathclyde, Glasgow
https://www.futurelearn.com/courses/genealogy

Provided by Clare Curtin

Nov. 26, 2017 (UPI) — Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., called on the Federal Trade Commission Sunday to investigate companies that provide ancestry DNA results due to potential privacy concerns. “What many consumers don’t realize is that their sensitive information can end up in the hands of unknown third-party companies,” Schumer said,

A recent  Gizmodo report analyzed the terms and conditions of several DNA test companies  and found that these companies can claim ownership of one’s DNA, that it is unclear who has access to your DNA and that information can get leaked.

An article by Judy G. Russell | Dec 11, 2016  “Read the Fine Print”  http://www.legalgenealogist.com provides another perspective.

New Developments:  Golden State Killer identified through genealogy sites:
Dick Eastman  https://blog.eogn.com/2018/04/26/dna-that-cracked-the-golden-state-killer-case-came-from-genealogy-websites/
Fox News  http://www.foxnews.com/us/2018/04/26/golden-state-killer-caught-using-relatives-dna-from-genealogy-websites-prosecutors-say.html
NBC News Golden State Killer suspect’s capture sparks DNA site privacy fears

Someone Else’s DNA Can be Used to Identify You
Dick Eastman · October 12, 2018 ·
More than 60 percent of Americans who have some European ancestry can be identified using DNA databases — even if they have not submitted their own DNA, researchers reported Thursday.
Enough people have done some kind of DNA test to make it possible to match much of the population, the researchers said. So even if you don’t submit your own DNA, if a cousin does, it could lead people to you.
Details may be found in an article by Maggie Fox in the NBC News web site at: https://nbcnews.to/2CckjVT.

Join us, beginner and experienced, to unravel the complexities of genetic DNA testing. The DNA Genealogy Group of Long Island is designed to be a hands-on group experience. Members share and solve problems together in small discussion groups based on level of experience. Individual help is available with DNA results.

Website: dggli.org

MEETING SCHEDULE:
Meetings are open to the public. There is no charge for non-members; all are welcome.
Meetings are held: 10:00 to 12:00 noon on the first Saturday of the month in alternate Nassau & Suffolk locations.

BETHPAGE PUBLIC LIBRARY:
Meetings are held in: Aug , Oct  and Dec .
Address: 47 Powell Avenue, Bethpage, NY 11714
Website: bethpagelibrary.info

PATCHOGUE-MEDFORD LIBRARY:
Meetings are held in: Sep and Nov .
Address: 54-60 East Main Street, Patchogue, NY, 11772
Website: pmlib.org

In the May-July 2017 issue of the IFHF’s Newsletter, Barbara Murphy has a wonderful Research Tip.

She recommends John Grenham’s Irish Roots Blog.

A post there is entitled “Why are Irish Records so Weird?”  Grenham recently presented the topic for Legacy software’s FamilyTreeWebinars.com library.  On his blog, his written discussion is featured. See https://www.johngrenham.com/blog/2017/03/16/why-are-irish-records-so-weird/

2016 Family History is a new, free Irish genealogy education website, brought to you by the National Archives and IrishGenealogy.ie. The site is aimed primarily at secondary school students, but can be used by anyone with Irish ancestors to learn how to use the multiplicity of online sources now available for family history.https://www.irishgenealogy.ie/en/2016-family  Click on “2016 Family History” on the toolbar.

Family Tree DNA will now let you transfer your “autosomal” data to Family Tree DNA for FREE. (There is a $19 upgrade available.) That means if you have tested with the sites 23 & Me or Ancestry DNA you can now catch your DNA cousins who have been  swimming around in the Family Tree DNA pool only!   It’s easy to do! See the attached link for more information.    https://www.familytreedna.com/autosomal-transferSee the link to Judy Russel’s blog “The Legal genealogist”  for a further description of this news.     http://www.legalgenealogist.com/2017/02/19/the-floodgates-open/

(Post Submitted by Jeanne Bayer)

Big News . . FindMyPast has launched an initiative to digitize the records of The Roman Catholic Church from around the World. That includes the NEW WORLD, US!  This initiative is called “The Catholic Heritage Archive”. Right now you will find millions of sacramental records from Ireland. It appears that records from England and Philadelphia are already up. And the really big news for folks who’s immigrant ancestors past through New York City, the records of The Archdiocese of New York will be digitized. That project is in the works now. Yay! Can hear the brick walls being shattered! Happy days for my fellow family historians. See the link to Find my past for more information. http://www.findmypast.com/catholicrecords
(Post submitted by Jeanne Bayer)