Regular Meeting of East Texas Genealogical Society, Tyler, TX Saturday, October 8, 2005 Tyler Public Library - Taylor Auditorium 2:00 p.m. Speaker: Marynell Bryant Program: "Using DNA to Identify Your Family Lineage" Marynell Bryant, Genealogical Researcher and Lecturer, will be sharing the history of genealogical DNA sequencing and surname studies, along with an explanation of scientific terms and test procedures. She says the term "genetic genealogy" may be new to the vocabulary but its significance to family researchers is growing daily. Genealogical DNA testing primarily involves the Y-chromosome which is passed from father to son through the generations. The significance to genealogists participating in the DNA surname studies is finding other individuals whose DNA matches closely and then comparing the lineages to identify the most recent common ancestor. DNA surname studies are useful not only to the male participants but to any researcher who has a connection to that particular surname. Marynell says that genealogists can identify, prove, and extend their family lineages through this new scientific breakthrough. The implications for what genetic genealogy can help family researchers achieve are exciting and challenging. The next few years will see an even greater growth in the number of DNA surname projects as genes actually provide proof of our lineages. Marynell is DNA Surname Project administrator for Rainey group study; current president of Hopkins County Genealogical Society; instructor of genealogical courses at Paris Junior College; past President of Texas State Genealogical Society, 1990-1993, and lecturer for genealogical society meetings and seminars in Texas and Arkansas. Following a short refreshment period, at approximately 3:30 p.m., the Computer Interest Group of the East Texas Genealogical Society will meet. Beverly Odom will present a program on "A Comparison of Census Records on Ancestry.com and Heritage Quest". Information on upcoming programs can be found at: http://www.rootsweb.com/~txetgs/meetings.html East Texas Genealogical Society represent six counties which are Anderson, Gregg, Henderson, Panola, Rusk and Smith counties. ETGS publishes the "East Texas Family Records" four times a year which features articles and records concerning our six counties and a monthly newsletter "The Bulletin" which features information about our society, things of interest to our members and information about our six counties. ETGS has began a First Families of East Texas covering our six counties. To find out about this program go to following link: http://www.rootsweb.com/~txetgs/FirstFamilies/firstfam.html For more information, you may contact me at scottfitzgerald@tyler.net or go to: http://www.rootsweb.com/~txetgs/ Submitted by Scott Fitzgerald, President.