The Genealogists

Blaine Bettinger 5 Comments

image Many people do not realize that the genetics of the future will rely heavily on the work done by previous, current, and future generations of genealogists. Researchers hoping to uncover links between a disease and a particular gene or mutation often recruit entire families or use compiled genealogical databases for information. Just a few of the recent examples of researchers benefiting from the work of genealogists include:

  1. Genizon BioSciences will examine genetic diseases using DNA from descendants of the Quebec Founder Population;
  2. A mutation believed to increase the risk of colon cancer was traced to a single family in the early 1600’s;
  3. A recent study pinpointing the mutation responsible for blue eyes used data from the Copenhagen Family Bank, and;
  4. Numerous studies published by deCODE, a company that uses an exclusive database of Icelandic genealogy (80% of all Icelandic people who have ever lived can be traced on family trees).

In honor of the contributions that genealogists have and will make to scientist’s understanding of the genetic basis of disease, and in honor of the many unique and well-written genealogy blogs, I created The Genealogists, a Feedburner network (subscribe via RSS here). The network, which helps unite genealogy bloggers and introduce new blogs to readers, currently has 18 members:

  • The Genetic Genealogist

  • 100 Years in America

  • A light that shines again

  • AnceStories: The Stories of My Ancestors

  • Bluebonnet Country Genealogy Blog

  • Creative Gene

  • FamHist

  • footnoteMaven

  • Genea-Musings

  • Genealogy Reviews Online

  • GeneaSofts

  • iPentimento

  • Ives Family History Blog

  • Roots Television | Megan’s Roots World

  • Small-leaved Shamrock

  • The Oracle of OMcHodoy

  • Tracing the Tribe: The Jewish Genealogy Blog

  • Zalewski Family Genealogy

    • Please feel free to stop by each of these wonderful blogs, or to ensure that you don’t miss any of the latest genealogy news simply subscribe to The Genealogist feed.

    5 Responses

    1. Hsien Lei 11 February 2008 / 5:28 am

      I signed up for the Genealogists network feed a while ago and have read lots of interesting posts!

      Hsien Lei’s last blog post..What’s in your DNA? #25

    2. Blaine Bettinger 11 February 2008 / 7:11 am

      Hsien – Glad to hear it! I’m always amazed at the variety and quality of the content in The Genealogists. And its been a lot of fun interacting with the group.

    3. RadixLog 13 February 2008 / 11:01 am

      Hi Blaine,
      Congrats on collecting a few good blogs and setting up the tool. Any chances of this company growing in number? What would it take newcomers to get considered?

    4. Blaine Bettinger 15 February 2008 / 4:15 pm

      Thanks RadixLog. I’m always looking for new members of The Genealogists. Anyone who is interested should email me with information about their blog.

    5. carmel 17 September 2008 / 10:05 am

      just found you how do I get involved I would love to give a sample of my dna i am a decendent of niall of the hostages and receasch has been done of that. i would aslo like to find out about genitic defefaults
      thank you

    Comments are closed.