UPDATES:
- December 2, 2018 Update from totheletterDNA (via their FB page) – there are 48 samples extracted and ready for genotyping. There are also 150 new samples undergoing extraction this coming week. All extracted samples will be genotyped before Christmas. Turnaround times should be improved moving forward due to having a “more streamlined process in place.”
- November 18, 2018 Update – DNA was found in every sample analyzed, with the oldest being from 1930. All samples are being run through a second extraction method at the Garvan Institute of Medical Research, after which there will be quality checks of the extraction. Samples that went through two extraction methods will be genotyped twice, once for each method/sample.
Links to Other Blog Posts:
- “How to Preserve and Test Old Letters for Grandma’s DNA” by Denise Levenick at The Family Curator
- “Artifact testing on its way” by Judy Russell at The Legal Genealogist
- “How to Test Your DNA (Even if You’ve Had a Stem Cell Transplant” by Brianne Kirkpatrick at WatershedDNA
- “Are you a lick away from Granny’s DNA? Forensic DNA For Genealogy ~ Artifact Testing” by Cherie Lynn at Cherie Lynn’s Herstory
ORIGINAL ARTICLE:
Artifact testing promises to be an interesting component of the future DNA evidence and genealogy. If we can obtain and reliably identify DNA from deceased ancestors, relatives, or other individuals, we might be able to enrich our genealogical research.
For years I’ve been telling people that there is an enormous untapped market for artifact testing, and that they should hold on to their artifacts because a company will arise to offer this service. I typically follow that up by telling them NOT to literally “hold on to their artifacts” because I don’t want them to contaminate them! But seriously, there are many thousands, potentially millions, of artifacts that could possess DNA from long-dead individuals.