tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23588189072554134142024-02-08T07:30:22.748-08:00Cemetery Genealogy NewsA Topica List CommentaryWebmasterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12523174278629682812noreply@blogger.comBlogger40125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2358818907255413414.post-19087920372694241892009-03-16T08:22:00.000-07:002009-03-16T08:39:01.024-07:00Controversial roadside crosses; religious symbols or symbol of death?"...A federal appeals court is weighing Utah's use of crosses on roadside memorials honoring fallen highway patrol troopers, trying to decide if they are an endorsement of religion or a nonreligious, secular symbol of death.<p>A three-judge panel of the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals heard arguments Monday in the case involving what the group American Atheists called "heroic-size" 12-foot-high crosses placed along state highways...."</p><br />"...Luke Goodrich, an attorney with The Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, argued on behalf of Colorado, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Kansas, which asked to argue because the case could affect memorials in their states. Goodrich asked the judges to decide the case not on the religiousness of crosses, but on whether the state provides a neutral forum for expression. A joint resolution by the Utah Legislature in 2006 declared the cross a nonreligious, secular symbol of death, Roberts said...."<br /><br />This story appeared in headlines in several states. I would have never imagined that the cross was a mere symbol of death. Nevermind the foundations of the US based on religious freedom that primarily excludes itself from state affairs or when it does become inclusive, it is controversial. Now there is a judge deciding whether or not the cross is religious?<br /><br />See news story <a href="http://www.kansascity.com/440/story/1076846.html">URL</a>Webmasterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12523174278629682812noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2358818907255413414.post-88903408392357778932009-03-07T13:29:00.000-08:002009-03-07T13:39:40.027-08:00FLORIDA, LONDON, ZIMBABWEI, SOUTH CAROLINA, PENNSYLVANIA, ILLINOIS, ALASKAFLORIDA, LONDON, ZIMBABWEI, SOUTH CAROLINA, PENNSYLVANIA, ILLINOIS, ALASKA<br /><a href="http://lists.topica.com/lists/cemeterygenealogynews/read/message.html?mid=813426195&sort=d&start=23">Today's Cemetery Genealogy News</a><br />March 7, 2009Webmasterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12523174278629682812noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2358818907255413414.post-85837430369988283602009-02-21T21:19:00.000-08:002009-02-21T21:33:30.178-08:00Mortal congestion<a href="http://lists.topica.com/lists/cemeterygenealogynews/read/message.html?mid=813412719&sort=d&start=0">Today's Cemetery Genealogy News</a><br />NEBRASKA, CANADA, NEVADA, ILLINOIS, JAKARTA, INDIA, OHIO<br /><span class="headline" style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;font-family:Arial,Helvetica,Sans-Serif;font-size:0;" ></span><br />"In truth, if mortal congestion doesn't get you tossed from your mummy chamber, erosion, acts of God and global warming just might." - Rosie DiManno.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Burial space on my list of worries</span> <a href="http://www.thestar.com/printArticle/591078">TheStar.com</a>, Rosie DiManno.<br /><br />The whole statement made me laugh. "Mortal congestion..."Webmasterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12523174278629682812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2358818907255413414.post-87487313090835803482009-02-19T10:50:00.000-08:002009-02-19T11:00:45.157-08:00ALASKA, OHIO, INDIA, NORTH CAROLINA,LOUISIANA, PENNSYLVANIA,TEXAS,THE VIRGIN ISLANDSALASKA, OHIO, INDIA, NORTH CAROLINA,LOUISIANA, PENNSYLVANIA,TEXAS,THE VIRGIN ISLANDS<br /><a href="http://lists.topica.com/lists/cemeterygenealogynews/read/message.html?mid=813410244&sort=d&start=25">Todays Cemetery Genealogy News</a>.<br /><br />There is one article that didn't make the list that I'd like to share. <br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Bodies pile up due to cold snap. Deadly cold snap has led to month's delay in funerals </span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Grieving families are being forced to wait more than a month to bury their dead as </span><span style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(0, 102, 204); cursor: pointer; font-style: italic;" class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1235069453_0">Britain</span> struggles to cope with the worst winter in 13 years.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Full Story:<br /><a target="_blank" href="http://www.mailonsunday.co.uk/news/article-1140322/Deadly-cold-snap-led-months-delay-funerals.html"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1235069453_1">http://www.mailonsunday.co.uk/news/article-1140322/Deadly-cold-snap-led-months-delay-funerals.html</span></a><br /><br />10 February 2009<br /><a target="_blank" href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1235069453_2">www.dailymail.co.uk</span></a></span><br /><br />In other odd bits of news a Canadian online newspaper published a list of 10 world famous cemeteries. Two of which happen to be in the United States.Webmasterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12523174278629682812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2358818907255413414.post-4722396149871263582009-02-04T21:54:00.000-08:002009-02-04T22:05:27.230-08:00Alabama, Texas, Kansas, Missouri, Mississippi, New York, North Carolina, Yorkshire UKMore about Mississippi's Vicksburg Green Acres<br /><br /><blockquote><p>"..the investigation now spans the owners’ holdings in five states, which<br />complicates efforts to obtain financial information..."</p><p>AND</p><p>"the same company that owns Green Acres has been the subject of several similar legal actions in Alabama, Texas, Kansas and Missouri, with $2.9 million in prepaid funds missing from its Alabama holdings alone. Hosemann’s office said a months-long inquiry showed more than $373,000 is missing from the trust account here and the account balance is $221.90.The 15-acre cemetery on U.S. 80 is the area’s only commercial, for-profit cemetery..."</p><p><a href="http://lists.topica.com/lists/cemeterygenealogynews/read/message.html?mid=813396277&sort=d&start=20">More from the list</a></p><p><br /></p></blockquote>Webmasterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12523174278629682812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2358818907255413414.post-44213700649944427392009-02-02T17:51:00.000-08:002009-02-02T18:41:00.670-08:00Mississippi cemetery regulatory commission<div style="text-align: center;"><blockquote><div style="text-align: left;">Technically, all Mississippians are on this commission. What has actually happened with the monies that were given to Green Acres since 2001? The year will forever remain infamous in my mind and the minds of many. I'm not certain that people remember the news stories about the number of bankruptcies that occurred after 9-11-01. A little background on the story from the headlines today February 2, 2009 on Topica.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">"Mississippi is one of the few states that does not have a regulatory board over cemeteries, and now we're seeing that cemeteries can have problems that need some oversight," Riles said. "There will be a law that comes out of this, you can count on it. To go through all this and have no good result come from it would be a sin."</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">DITTO</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">"Bills have been introduced in the Legislature would form a loss-recovery program and other measures to protect people who have paid for pre-need burial services, said Hosemann.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">"I think this is the largest cemetery failure in the state of Mississippi that I have ever known of," said Riles, who has been in the business 49 years."</span><br /><br />I let Google do my digging around about Mississippi Cemetery Law. Here are a few gems worth reading.<br /><br /><br />MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972<br />As Amended<br /><br />SEC. 41-43-33. Who is subject to cemetery law.<br /><br />Any person, partnership, corporation or other organization organized or engaging in business under the laws of the state of Mississippi, or wheresoever organized and doing business in the state of Mississippi, of owning, maintaining or operating a cemetery, providing lots or other interment space therein for the remains of human bodies, except such organizations and cemeteries which are affiliated with or owned by churches or religious societies, established fraternal societies, municipalities, or other political subdivisions of the state of Mississippi, shall be subject to the provisions of sections 41-43-31 to 41-43-53.<br /><br />SOURCES: Codes, 1942, Sec. 5308-02; Laws, 1958, ch. 481, Sec. 2, eff from and after passage (approved May 6, 1958).<br /><br /><a href="http://www.mscode.com/free/statutes/41/043/0033.htm">http://www.mscode.com/free/statutes/41/043/0033.htm</a><br /><br /><br />From the Law Office of Robert Paine - <a href="http://209.85.173.132/search?q=cache:EvivW-TJ7OMJ:www.painelawoffice.com/uploads/Mississippi_Attorney_General_Opinions_regarding_Cemetery_a_.pdf+Mississippi+cemetery+law&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=5&gl=us&client=firefox-a"><br />Mississippi Attorney General Opinions on Cemetery and Funeral Home Law -</a> HTML<br /><a href="http://www.painelawoffice.com/uploads/Mississippi_Attorney_General_Opinions_regarding_Cemetery_a_.pdf">The same file in </a>PDF<br /><br />From the list:<br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Feb. 2, 2009 — Chancery Court hearing set for 9 a.m. to begin legal</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">proceedings to restore and protect trust funds, assess penalties, appoint a</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">conservator and obtain a permanent injunction prohibiting Green Acres</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">from selling pre-need..<span style="font-weight: bold;">.</span></span><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: 7px; font-family: "Arial";"><div style="position: absolute; top: 1645px; left: 85px;"><nobr></nobr></div> <div style="position: absolute; top: 1696px; left: 57px;"><nobr><br /><br /></nobr></div></span></div></blockquote></div>Webmasterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12523174278629682812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2358818907255413414.post-27620172506301870662009-02-02T17:47:00.000-08:002009-02-02T17:50:19.625-08:00MASSACHUSETTS, MISSISSIPPI, IRAN, UK<span style="font-family:Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif;font-size:-2;"><br /><br /><a href="http://lists.topica.com/lists/cemeterygenealogynews/read/message.html?mid=813394083&sort=d&start=18">Today's Cemetery Genealogy News</a><br /><a href="http://lists.topica.com/lists/cemeterygenealogynews/read/message.html?mid=813394083&sort=d&start=18"></a></span>Webmasterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12523174278629682812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2358818907255413414.post-10465641738233084062009-01-24T10:45:00.000-08:002009-01-24T10:46:38.385-08:00This blogThis blog hasn't faded away... it has just been dormant for awhile. <br />Still here:)Webmasterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12523174278629682812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2358818907255413414.post-70149801154318232252008-04-10T16:38:00.000-07:002008-04-10T16:40:08.135-07:00New Mexico, New York, Bermuda, Hawaii-Maui, April 9, 2008<a href="http://lists.topica.com/lists/cemeterygenealogynews/read/message.html?mid=813076493&sort=d&start=0">Today's Cemetery Genealogy News</a> - <span class="headline" style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,Sans-Serif;font-size:-0;color:#990099;"><b>New Mexico, New York, Bermuda, Hawaii-Maui, April 9, 2008</b></span>Webmasterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12523174278629682812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2358818907255413414.post-83857182388297152532008-04-05T06:49:00.000-07:002008-04-05T07:10:31.387-07:00VERMONT, OKLAHOMA, CONNECTICUT, NEW YORK,<a href="http://lists.topica.com/lists/cemeterygenealogynews/read/message.html?mid=813070932&sort=d&start=0">Today's Cemetery Genealogy News</a> - VERMONT, OKLAHOMA, CONNECTICUT, NEW YORK, April 5, 2008<span class="headline" style="color: rgb(153, 0, 153);font-family:Arial,Helvetica,Sans-Serif;font-size:0;" ><b><br /></b></span>Webmasterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12523174278629682812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2358818907255413414.post-18403723856129671152008-04-01T07:37:00.000-07:002008-04-01T07:40:33.140-07:00Ohio, Texas, Maryland, Pennsylvania<a href="http://lists.topica.com/lists/cemeterygenealogynews/read/message.html?mid=813066219&sort=d&start=25">Today's Cemetery Genealogy News</a> - Ohio, Texas, Pennsylvania, Maryland, April 1, 2008.Webmasterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12523174278629682812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2358818907255413414.post-76078620023668357192008-03-27T08:44:00.000-07:002008-04-01T08:09:24.814-07:00Search<!-- Google CSE Search Box Begins --><br /><style type="text/css"><br />@import url(http://www.google.com/cse/api/branding.css);<br /></style><br /><div class="cse-branding-right" style="background-color:#000000;color:#FFFFFF"><br /> <div class="cse-branding-form"><br /> <form action="http://www.google.com/cse" id="searchbox_010088389948040410476:2tbtywobedc"><br /> <input type="hidden" name="cx" value="010088389948040410476:2tbtywobedc" /><br /> <input type="text" name="q" size="25" /><br /> <input type="submit" name="sa" value="Search" /><br /> </form><br /> </div><br /> <div class="cse-branding-logo"><br /> <img src="http://www.google.com/images/poweredby_transparent/poweredby_000000.gif" alt="Google" /><br /> </div><br /> <div class="cse-branding-text"><br /> Custom Search<br /> </div><br /></div><br /><!-- Google CSE Search Box Ends --><br /><br />I've attempted to use the Topica search box on the message mailing list several times to no avail. It seems that Topica works only when it wants to and the search feature does not work at all. Have no fear Google Search is here, however, Topica does not format their page titles to the name of this list. All of the pages searched will have the title "Topica Email List" and will NOT allow for search for the date of the post to the list i.e "04/01/08". I attempted to solve that issue with a message text of all dates in that format, where Google did not find that page either. It appears that even after adding the page to the Custom Google search that Topica possibly is not allowing Google to search or view the page *it does not exist* even after a link to the page was added to the Customized Google Search Engine. Google Custom Search cannot find the word "Google" on the mailing list!Webmasterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12523174278629682812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2358818907255413414.post-50789452427140446612008-03-14T09:45:00.000-07:002008-03-14T09:48:38.531-07:00New Domain for RootsWeb Sites<tt>Oh bother... does this mean that all of the urls within websites pointing to other rootsweb sites will have to be changed as well? What a bunch of crud!<br /><br />From the mailing lists at RootsWeb!<br /><br />Please forward to all Project lists.<br /><br />Tina Vickery<br />National Coordinator<br />USGenWeb Project<br /><br />____<br /><br />RootsWeb Announcement<br /><br />As you know, The Generations Network has hosted and funded<br />the RootsWeb online community since June 2000, thereby<br />maintaining RootsWeb as the world's oldest and largest<br />free genealogy website. TGN remains committed to this<br />mission and believes that RootsWeb is an absolutely<br />invaluable and complementary resource to Ancestry.com, our<br />flagship commercial family history site. We believe in<br />both services and want to see both communities prosper and<br />grow.<br /><br />As part of this goal, we have decided to "transplant"<br />RootsWeb onto the Ancestry.com domain beginning next week.<br />This move will not change the RootsWeb experience or alter<br />the ease of navigation to or within RootsWeb. RootsWeb<br />will remain a free online experience. What will be<br />different is that the Web address for all RootsWeb pages<br />will change from <span style="font-weight: bold;">www.rootsweb.com to</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"> www.rootsweb.ancestry.com</span>. Again, the RootsWeb experience<br />is not changing.<br /><br />The decision to host RootsWeb on Ancestry.com is being<br />made for one primary reason: we believe that the users of<br />each of our two main websites can be better served if they<br />have access to the best services available on both. Simply<br />stated, we want to introduce more Ancestry.com users to<br />RootsWeb and vice versa.<br /><br />Today, despite the fact that Ancestry.com and RootsWeb.com<br />are the two most frequently visited family history sites<br />on the Web, only 25 percent of visitors to Ancestry.com<br />visited RootsWeb in January 2008, while only 20 percent of<br />visitors to RootsWeb visited Ancestry.com (according to<br />Comscore Media Metrix). We think we will serve our users<br />best by doing a better job of letting them know what is<br />available on both Ancestry.com and RootsWeb. Hosting<br />RootsWeb on Ancestry.com is the first step towards making<br />this happen, but we will absolutely look for more and<br />better ways down the road to advance this goal.<br /><br />Hosting RootsWeb on Ancestry.com will also make it easier<br />for us to make changes and improvements to the RootsWeb<br />experience in the future.<br /><br />All old RootsWeb URLs will continue to work, whether they<br />are bookmarks or favorites, links to or from a hosted page<br />or URLs manually typed in your Internet browser. We will<br />have a redirect in place so that all old URLs will<br />automatically end up on the appropriate new RootsWeb URL.<br />You will never need to update your old favorites or links<br />unless you want to. We have worked to make the transition<br />as seamless as possible for our users, and this change<br />should have a minimal impact on your experience with the<br />site.<br /><br />RootsWeb will remain a free online experience dedicated to<br />providing you with a place where our community can find<br />their roots together. If you have questions regarding this<br />change please email them to <script type="text/javascript">DisplayMail('rootsweb.com','feedback');</script><a href="mailto:feedback@rootsweb.com">feedback@rootsweb.com</a>.<br /><br />Thanks,<br /><br />Tim Sullivan<br />CEO<br />The Generations Network, Inc.</tt>Webmasterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12523174278629682812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2358818907255413414.post-1519648272326157442008-03-14T06:27:00.000-07:002008-03-14T06:38:24.139-07:00DNA and WPA c. 20,000 years ago and the 1930'sThis is incredible! From <a href="http://lists.topica.com/lists/cemeterygenealogynews/read/message.html?mid=813046115&sort=d&start=0">Today's Cemetery Genealogy News March 14, 2008</a><br /><blockquote><br />Study Suggests Most Native Americans Can Trace Some DNA Back 20,000 Years to Just 6 Women, By MALCOLM RITTER, AP Science Writer "NEW YORK (Associated Press) -- Nearly all of today's Native Americans in North, Central and South America can trace part of their ancestry to six women whose descendants immigrated around 20,000 years ago, a DNA study suggests.<br /><br />Those women left a particular DNA legacy that persists to today in about about 95 percent of Native Americans, researchers said...."<br /><br /><br />PLoS One:<a href="http://www.plosone.org"> http://www.plosone.org</a><br />(This version CORRECTS explanation of mitochondrial DNA))</blockquote><br /><br /><br />A WPA project in the 1930's allowed for Veteran headstone removal and destruction<br /><br /><br /><blockquote>Military Headstones Used for Garden<br />Philadelphia Inquirer | By Maya Rao and Sam Wood | March 14, 2008<br />BURLINGTON TOWNSHIP, Penn. - Federal authorities are trying to solve an unlikely mystery:<br /><br />How did hundreds of gravestones that once marked the final resting places of military veterans come to form a garden wall in a 90-year-old man's Burlington Township yard?..."<br /><br />"...Hendley said she has asked federal officials to check historical records that would corroborate Nixon's story. The records would be held by the U.S. Army, which oversaw the national cemetery system until it was transferred to the Veterans Administration in the 1970s..."</blockquote>Webmasterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12523174278629682812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2358818907255413414.post-73303012032009844232008-03-14T06:24:00.000-07:002008-03-14T06:27:13.722-07:00ALABAMA, SOUTH CAROLINA, NEVADA, CALIFORNIA, PA, LOUISIANA, NJ, OHIO, NEBRASKA, FRANCE,<a href="http://lists.topica.com/lists/cemeterygenealogynews/read/message.html?mid=813046115&sort=d&start=0">Today's Cemetery Genealogy News</a> - ALABAMA, SOUTH CAROLINA, NEVADA, CALIFORNIA, PA, LOUISIANA, NJ, OHIO, NEBRASKA, FRANCE March 14, 2008Webmasterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12523174278629682812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2358818907255413414.post-81393506510775100742008-02-18T10:37:00.000-08:002008-02-19T08:11:44.122-08:00Saving Graves<a href="http://www.savinggraves.com">Saving Graves</a> has its new website up and running. It offers a new website forum, blog, news and local contacts for cemetery preservation.Webmasterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12523174278629682812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2358818907255413414.post-82381942739528097302008-02-18T08:35:00.000-08:002008-02-19T08:47:30.315-08:00VIRGINIA, NEW YORK, INDIANA, CONNECTICUTT, AUSTRALIA<a href="http://lists.topica.com/lists/cemeterygenealogynews/read/message.html?mid=813018946&sort=d&start=25">Today's Cemetery Genealogy News</a><br />February 18, 2008 - Today's news was rather large. There are three or four posts including:<span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"> </span><span class="headline" style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: times new roman;font-family:Arial,Helvetica,Sans-Serif;font-size:100%;" ><b>MISSISSIPPI, GEORGIA, VIRGINIA, TEXAS, VIRGINIA, NEW YORK, INDIANA, CONNECTICUTT, AUSTRALIA, </b></span><span class="headline" style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: times new roman;font-family:Arial,Helvetica,Sans-Serif;font-size:100%;" ><b>Tennessee, UK, Alabama.</b></span>Webmasterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12523174278629682812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2358818907255413414.post-12023454082310178462008-02-17T06:21:00.000-08:002008-02-17T07:18:31.346-08:00The Genographic Project : National Geographic and IBM<span style=";font-family:Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif;font-size:85%;" >The Topica List produced a story I missed two years ago about The Genographic Project. I usually catch the Today show, but I missed the November 2005 broadcast that announced it and, unfortunately, I have been in the dark about this project since then. <a href="http://www.tribalpages.com">Tribal Pages</a> is one genealogy website that will trace migration patterns if you already have your ancestors locations pinpointed. The project is scheduled for completion in 2010, a five year ordeal. The IBM PDF page on the project indicates that there will be updates available on the projects results, however, a brief study of the website did not offer results. I'll have to look into it further in order to clarify whether or not the results are available to those who are not participating in the project. I thought that it was interesting and educational that a school was involved in studying DNA analysis, as well. It was the following story that led me to The Genographic Project.<br /><br />"...National Geographic and IBM are now in the midst of the international "Genographic Project" documenting the genealogy of hundreds of thousands of people around the world..." </span><span style=";font-family:Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif;font-size:85%;" > MISSOURI, </span><span style=";font-family:Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif;font-size:85%;" ><a href="http://www.news-leader.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080217/NEWS01/802170397/1007"> High school project traces students' genetic roots</a>, </span><span style=";font-family:Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif;font-size:85%;" > Steve Giegerich, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, February 17, 2008.<br /><a href="http://www-03.ibm.com/industries/healthcare/genographic/index.jsp?P_Campaign=6N3EWS56"><br /></a></span><ul><li><span style=";font-family:Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif;font-size:85%;" ><a href="http://www-03.ibm.com/industries/healthcare/genographic/index.jsp?P_Campaign=6N3EWS56">National Geographic, "The Genographic Project"</a></span></li><li><span style=";font-family:Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif;font-size:85%;" ><a href="https://www3.nationalgeographic.com/genographic/faqs.html">FAQ</a></span></li></ul><span style=";font-family:Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif;font-size:85%;" ></span><p><span style="font-size:85%;"><span class="body_intro">The National Geographic Society, IBM, geneticist Spencer Wells, and the Waitt Family Foundation have launched the Genographic Project, a five-year effort to understand the human journey—where we came from and how we got to where we live today. This unprecedented effort will map humanity's genetic journey through the ages.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:85%;"><span class="body_text">The fossil record fixes human origins in Africa, but little is known about the great journey that took <i>Homo sapiens</i> to the far reaches of the Earth. How did we, each of us, end up where we are? Why do we appear in such a wide array of different colors and features?</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:85%;"><span class="body_text">Such questions are even more amazing in light of genetic evidence that we are all related—descended from a common African ancestor who lived only 60,000 years ago.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:85%;"><span class="body_text">Though eons have passed, the full story remains clearly written in our genes—if only we can read it. With your help, we can.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:85%;"><span class="body_text">When DNA is passed from one generation to the next, most of it is recombined by the processes that give each of us our individuality.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:85%;"><span class="body_text">But some parts of the DNA chain remain largely intact through the generations, altered only occasionally by mutations which become "genetic markers." These markers allow geneticists like Spencer Wells to trace our common evolutionary timeline back through the ages.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:85%;"><span class="body_text">"The greatest history book ever written," Wells says, "is the one hidden in our DNA."</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:85%;"><span class="body_text">Different populations carry distinct markers. Following them through the generations reveals a genetic tree on which today's many diverse branches may be followed ever backward to their common African root.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:85%;"><span class="body_text">Our genes allow us to chart the ancient human migrations from Africa across the continents. Through one path, we can see living evidence of an ancient African trek, through India, to populate even isolated Australia.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:85%;"><span class="body_text">But to fully complete the picture we must greatly expand the pool of genetic samples available from around the world. Time is short.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:85%;"><span class="body_text">In a shrinking world, mixing populations are scrambling genetic signals. The key to this puzzle is acquiring genetic samples from the world's remaining indigenous and traditional peoples whose ethnic and genetic identities are isolated.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:85%;"><span class="body_text">But such distinct peoples, languages, and cultures are quickly vanishing into a 21st century global melting pot.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:85%;"><span class="body_text">That's why the Genographic Project has established ten research laboratories around the globe. Scientists are visiting Earth's remote regions in a comprehensive effort to complete the planet's genetic atlas.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:85%;"><span class="body_text">But we don't just need genetic information from Inuit and San Bushmen—we need yours as well. If you choose to participate and add your data to the global research database, you'll help to delineate our common genetic tree, giving detailed shape to its many twigs and branches.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:85%;"><span class="body_text">Together we can tell the ancient story of our shared human journey.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:85%;"><a name="legacy"></a><span class="body_text"><strong>Genographic Legacy Fund</strong></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:85%;"><span class="body_text"> But what about the disappearing languages and diluting cultures? What can be done to help preserve and perpetuate those stories? Proceeds from the sales of the Genographic Public Participation Kits support the Genographic Legacy Fund, a primary component of the overall Project. Through the extension of grants, the Fund aims to empower indigenous and traditional peoples trying to revitalize their communities on a local level while at the same time helping to raise awareness on a global level of the challenges and pressures facing traditional communities around the world. <a href="https://www3.nationalgeographic.com/genographic/legacy_fund.html">Learn more about the Genographic Legacy Fund and the grant application process >></a></span></span></p><br /><span style=";font-family:Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif;font-size:85%;" ><br /></span><ul><li><span style=";font-family:Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif;font-size:85%;" ><a href="http://www-03.ibm.com/industries/healthcare/genographic/index.jsp?P_Campaign=6N3EWS56">IBM, "The Genographic Project"</a></span></li><li><a href="http://www-03.ibm.com/industries/healthcare/genographic/doc/content/landing/1443858132.html">IBM CompBio Central</a><br /></li></ul><span style=";font-family:times new roman;font-size:85%;" >Learn more about the power of genetics and the scientific work going on at the Genographic Project. Our Computational Biology Center (CBC) team, part of IBM’s global Research organization, will provide regular updates here at CompBio Central.<br /><br /><b>A genetics refresher</b><br />For our introductory CompBio Central article, we thought it would be helpful to describe some of the key concepts behind the Genographic Project and the use of genetics to study our migratory history.<br /><br /><b>DNA-matter of heredity</b><br />The most significant biological material we inherit from our parents is the DNA that we carry in our cells. The DNA, which carries our genetic instructions, is wrapped as chromosomes. In humans, there are 23 pairs of chromosomes-one set from the mother, the other from the father. Of these, 22 are like pairs, but the 23rd pair is different. In females this pair has two like chromosomes called X. Males have one X and one Y. The Y chromosome is transmitted from fathers only to their sons.<br /><br />In addition to the DNA in our chromosomes, we also inherit the DNA carried in mitochondria, a structure within each cell, which we inherit exclusively from our mother.<br /><br /><b>It takes two</b><br />As cells divide to produce new cells, they replicate the DNA within to give each new cell a genetically identical copy of the parent cell. The cell division that produces eggs (female) or sperm (male) in our reproductive system is different in two ways.<br /></span> <ol style="font-family:times new roman;"><li><span style="font-size:85%;">The resulting new cell (egg or sperm) has only one set of chromosomes, not a pair. </span></li><li><span style="font-size:85%;">The composition of each chromosome in the new cell is a recombination of segments from maternal and paternal chromosome pairs in the parent cell.</span></li></ol> <span style=";font-family:times new roman;font-size:85%;" ><br />Each resulting egg or sperm is genetically distinct. But a major fraction of the Y chromosome does not undergo such recombination, since it is passed only from father to sons and is unaffected by the X chromosome from the mother. It is this unique feature that makes the Y chromosome useful to genealogists.<br /><br /><b>DNA sequence variations </b><br />Occasionally, the DNA copying process introduces mutations or variations in the DNA sequence, making the egg or sperm differ in sequence from the parental source. These mutations are carried into future generations and serve as markers of descent.<br /><br /><b>Markers of descent</b><br />Looking at non-recombinant portions of the human genome, it is possible to associate specific genetic variations to a population group and infer that they must share a common ancestor. We can also conclude that this common ancestor was the first individual with that mutation and has passed it on to all his or her descendents. Such markers of descent have been identified on the Y chromosome and mitochondrial DNA.<br /></span> <ul style="font-family:times new roman;"><li><span style="font-size:85%;">The markers on Y chromosome describe the paternal line of ancestry-the father's father.</span></li><li><span style="font-size:85%;">The markers on mitochondrial DNA describe the maternal line of ancestry-the mother's mother.</span></li></ul><span style="font-size:85%;"><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www-03.ibm.com/industries/healthcare/genographic/doc/jsp/news/newsarticles/index.jsp">News Stories from IBM about a few results since 2005</a><br /><br /><a href="https://www3.nationalgeographic.com/genographic/silk_route_announcement.html"></a><blockquote><a href="https://www3.nationalgeographic.com/genographic/silk_route_announcement.html">Who are you and where did you come from?</a><br />January 23, 2007<br /><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2006/03/07/science/07evolve.html?ex=1143867600&en=a04127a97c0b93ef&ei=5070">Consumers turn to their own DNA</a><br />March 30, 2006<br /><a href="http://www.adn.com/life/story/7526164p-7437837c.html">Roots of the family tree</a><br />March 12, 2006 <br />more...</blockquote><br /></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif;"><br /></span>Webmasterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12523174278629682812noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2358818907255413414.post-20936540327717648292008-02-17T06:18:00.000-08:002008-02-17T06:20:32.897-08:00Today's Cemetery Genealogy News<a href="http://lists.topica.com/lists/cemeterygenealogynews/read/message.html?mid=813017836&sort=d&start=0">Michigan, New York, Connecticut, Missouri, California, Mississippi, China</a>Webmasterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12523174278629682812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2358818907255413414.post-53991068471507241842008-02-15T12:29:00.000-08:002008-02-17T06:17:22.656-08:00Mississippi Extreme Genealogy HB282DThis is a good one and is from <a href="http://dctribune.com/articles/2008/02/14/life/00news04.txt">Robert St. John.</a><br /><blockquote><span style="font-family:Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif;"><span style=";font-family:times new roman;font-size:85%;" > HB 282D: The Delta Heritage Law: HB 282D would require all citizens of<br />the Mississippi Delta to limit their ancestral discussions to a minimum<br />of 45 minutes per dining period. During the allotted time period, said<br />genealogy buff may only go back four generations without receiving a<br />warning citation. If subject traces his or her lineage all the way back<br />to the Civil War during one meal period, a $75 fine shall be levied<br />(Revolutionary War descendant discussions will result in mandatory jail<br />time). This law also applies to relations' choice of college, which<br />sorority their grandmother joined, and which tract of land their family<br />owned 150 years ago.</span><br /><br /><blockquote></blockquote><a href="http://lists.topica.com/lists/cemeterygenealogynews/read/message.html?mid=813016124&sort=t&start=0"><br /></a> </span></blockquote><a href="http://lists.topica.com/lists/cemeterygenealogynews/read/message.html?mid=813016124&sort=t&start=0">Today's Cemetery Genealogy News</a>Webmasterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12523174278629682812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2358818907255413414.post-40952494920569557102008-02-01T09:10:00.000-08:002008-02-01T10:18:02.121-08:00Catholic priest sues town and pet owner over dog burialHe had to draw the line somewhere. His name is Rev. Gerald Baker, from Morganfield. In <a href="http://lists.topica.com/lists/cemeterygenealogynews/read/message.html?mid=813000306&sort=d&start=0">today's post</a> is Uniontown, Kentucky's city cemetery where, since 1999 a little rat terrier was buried without a headstone. That is without a headstone... until last summer. "The stone read, "In memory of S___head". Evidently, those who had purchased plots started asking for their money back. Now there is legislation, House Bill 242. The Uniontown city government has since revised their policy of pet burials in its city cemetery to say that pet burials are NOT ALLOWED. The case was settled out of court and the woman, Ms./Mrs. Hagan, removed her dog from the cemetery along with its headstone. The article indicated that she had the best intentions in mind and meant no disrespect. I wonder, exactly, the argument of the Rev. Gerald Baker, of the <a href="http://www.owensborodio.org/">Diocese of Owensboro,</a> serving St. Ann Catholic Church in Morganfield. <a style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);" href="http://www.parishesonline.com/scripts/HostedSites/Org.asp?ID=13083">Mass Schedule</a><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"> </span><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);font-family:times new roman;font-size:100%;" ><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><b><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 153);">St Ann Parish</span></b></span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 144);"> <span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 144);">, 304 Church St</span>., </span>Morganfield, KY 42437</span><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"> Phone:</span><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"> (270) 389-2287 Fax: (270) 389-0219</span></span><blockquote></blockquote> "<span style="font-family:Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif;"> Hagan maintained she had first obtained the verbal approval of the<br />former Uniontown mayor before burying her dog. She was not available for comment Thursday, but earlier told The Gleaner she meant no disrespect to anyone -- she just loved her dog, smelly name and all."<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Commonwealth of Kentucky Legislative Research Commission<br />General Assembly Local Mandate Fiscal Impact Estimate</span><span style="font-family:monospace;font-size:100%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="font-size:100%;">2008 REGULAR SESSION<br />Measure Information</span><span style="font-family:monospace;font-size:100%;"><br /></span><span style="font-size:100%;">Bill Request #: 339<br /><a href="http://www.lrc.ky.gov/RECORD/08rs/HB242/LM.doc">Bill #: HB 242 </a><br /><br /></span> <pre><span style="font-size:100%;">Bill Subject/Title: Public cemeteries,<br />burial of animals<br /><br />Sponsor: Rep. John Arnold<br /><br />Unit of Government: X City X County X Urban-County<br />X Charter County X Consolidated Local<br /><br />Office(s) Impacted General government<br /><br />Requirement: X Mandatory Optional<br /><br />Effect on <br />Powers & Duties X Modifies Existing<br />Adds New Eliminates Existing<br />Purpose and Mechanics<br /><br />HB 242 amends KRS 381.697 to prohibit the burial of<br />animals in public cemeteries unless written consent<br />is obtained from the cemetery owners or board.<br /><br />Fiscal Explanation, Bill Provisions, and Estimated Cost<br /><br />The fiscal impact of HB 242 on local governments is minimal<br />and limited to those local governments that own or operate<br />public cemeteries. There are currently 80 cemeteries in<br />Kentucky that are owned or operated by local governments,<br />primarily cities. Unless prohibition of the burial of animals<br />is already a rule in these cemeteries, it will be necessary<br />for cemetery administrators to amend their rules and change<br />any literature or signs that address cemetery rules.<br /><br />Data Source(s): Attorney General's Office<br /><br /><br />Preparer: Mary Lynn Collins Reviewer: Date:</span></pre> </div>Webmasterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12523174278629682812noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2358818907255413414.post-11023582659757016312008-01-17T07:09:00.000-08:002008-01-17T07:13:48.999-08:00Cemetery Surveys IncI found this group on Yahoo and I've added their links to the right. The website also has an area to add a link, which is quite helpful if you are researching cemeteries on line. Their website is fantastic. The following excerpt is from the Yahoo Group, Cemetery Survey's Inc.<br /><br /><blockquote>"Hello and thanks for joining Cemetery Surveys, Inc! We are a locally based (NC/GA), non profit organization who travel the country side surveying cemeteries with digital cameras, chalk, and lots of sunscreen! I won't bore you with the history of how we started, but the end result is our website, which is continually updated, www.cemeterysurveysinc.com ... we appreciate your patronage, encourage your participation, and absolutely love what we do!!<br />Thanks and we look forward to seeing you on the web!<br />Rose Birdwell, President & the crew of CSI (Cemetery Surveys, Inc)!<br />birdwellrose@yahoo.com"</blockquote>Webmasterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12523174278629682812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2358818907255413414.post-31304523175535907132008-01-17T06:59:00.000-08:002008-01-17T07:09:14.280-08:00North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, 125 Veterans Cemeteries<a href="http://lists.topica.com/lists/cemeterygenealogynews/read/message.html?mid=812984083&sort=d&start=0">January 10, 2008 - Cemetery Genealogy News</a><br />One week delay from TopicaWebmasterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12523174278629682812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2358818907255413414.post-30517062217561166532008-01-10T06:22:00.000-08:002008-01-10T06:47:00.085-08:00Forest Hill Cemeteries and Funeral Homes in Tennessee<a href="http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2008/jan/10/forest-hill-case-move-sought/">In the news.</a> "...Smart announced in July 2006 that he wouldn't honor prepaid Forest Hill funeral policies in full. Until Tennessee seized the funeral properties and began honoring the policies again, families had to pay thousands of dollars extra to bury policy holders..." A search from the Dept. of Commerce and Insurance indicated that in May 2006 the funeral home was <a href="http://tennessee.gov/commerce/pdf/disaction/disActRpt_0506.pdf">fined</a> a mere $1,250.00 combined for failure to provide services after two years of receiving payment and disrespecting the memory of the dead.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span><blockquote><span style="font-weight: bold;">Burial Services Program</span><br />Respondent: <span style="font-weight: bold;">Forest Hill Funeral Home & Memorial Park – East, Memphis, TN</span><br />Violation: Failure to maintain the cemetery so as to reflect respect for the memory of the<br />dead<br />Action: $250 Civil Penalty<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Board of Funeral Directors and Embalmers</span><br />Respondent: <span style="font-weight: bold;">Forest Hill Funeral Home & Memorial Park – South, Memphis, TN</span><br />Violation: Immoral or unprofessional conduct – failure to furnish contracted merchandise<br />or services for two years after receiving payment<br />Action: $1000 Civil Penalty</blockquote><br />With Civil penalties that are this small it appears to be an open invitation to re-offend. Unfortunately, this case is associated with another in Michigan involving over 70 million dollars. 22 million was involved in the Forest Hill case according to the article today. <a href="http://lists.topica.com/lists/cemeterygenealogynews/read/message.html?mid=812966685&sort=d&start=0">Previous articles </a>indicated that sentencing was scheduled for a man found guilty on Jan. 24th. This case is set for trial on March 3.<br /><a href="http://lists.topica.com/lists/cemeterygenealogynews/read/message.html?mid=812966685&sort=d&start=0"><br />You can read about the Michigan case here.</a>Webmasterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12523174278629682812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2358818907255413414.post-6582825483384387692008-01-10T05:12:00.000-08:002008-01-10T06:43:45.328-08:00North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, 125 Veterans CemeteriesToday's Cemetery Genealogy News is offline.Webmasterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12523174278629682812noreply@blogger.com0