Genetic Genealogy Mildly Hot

by Dr. Hsien-Hsien Lei
Posted October 8, 2007 in DNA and Genealogy

I was poking around Google Trends this morning and noticed that the search for [family tree dna] had a Hotness rating of “Mild” and was ranked at about 45 or so for a few hours until it dropped off the top 100 list altogether. The search peaked about 15 hours ago and I was scratching my head wondering why especially since “family tree dna” is also the name of an ancestry and genealogy DNA testing company - Family Tree DNA .

I was only able to put it together when I saw that the search peak corresponded to the time CBS made available online the segment Reconstructing The Family Tree (video also at this link) on 60 Minutes in which Family Tree DNA was prominently featured.

As correspondent Lesley Stahl explains, it turns out that inside each one of us, within every cell of our bodies, is information about who our ancestors were, where they lived, and who we’re related to today. Our DNA contains hidden stories about our pasts, and scientists, together with businessmen, are now offering ways to help us read them.

The show featured two “long lost” cousins; one a white cattle rancher in Missouri and the other an African American in Harlem.

“How did you feel about the prospect of having black relatives?” Stahl asks.

“Well, you know, I really, to tell you the truth, it’s just life. I didn’t doubt it a bit,” he [Marion West] says.

Blaine at The Genetic Genealogist has a round-up of other reactions to this piece including one from renowned genetic genealogist Megan Smoleynak.

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NB: Don’t miss Gene Genie #17 at Gene Sherpas!

Tags: genetics, genes, dna, genetic genealogy, genealogy, ancestry, family tree dna

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2 Comments »

Pingback by The Genetic Genealogist - » Genetic Genealogy In the News

2007-10-09 08:03:14

[...] “Genetic Genealogy Mildly Hot” is a post by Hsien at Eye On DNA that explains why “family tree dna” was one of the top 100 searches at Google Trends yesterday. Got a guess? [...]

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Pingback by Eye on DNA Headlines for 26 December 2007

2007-12-26 18:28:47

[...] repeat of the 60 Minutes segment on genetic genealogy has made the search for [family tree DNA] #1 at [...]

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