Saturday, May 6, 2017

New Email TG Contact Template for Genetic Genealogists (Less Gets More Version)

You would think I would know better. I blunder

Some awesome genetic genealogists on a group I am honored to be a member of, suggested I use a shorter initial contact letter. The results are outstanding. Though the first letter drew many replies, they all were asking for more information that necessitated rather lengthy replies. This message cuts to the chase. Almost all who reply have sent a link, or invite me to view their tree within 48 hours. Thanks everyone at Genetic Genealogy Tips & Techniques Facebook group for your wisdom and guidance.

Please feel free to copy this very simple template to use for your emails. Personalize as indicated to save time when reaching out to people in your target and triangulation groups.

              
Email subject line: Gedmatch Match

Hello (insert Gedmatch user name), 
Re: Kit Number:

I notice we have a match on Gedmatch. I did a one-to-one to make sure. 

I was hoping we could compare our trees to determine who our common ancestor might be. 

I am attaching a two charts that might help us figure this out. 

I look forward to hearing back from you.

Your name
Your Gedmatch Kit number
Your email
Adoptee Friendly 

To copy this chart for future use and to use as an attachment: place your cursor over the image, right click, save as: Blaine T Bettinger Chart


Save this chart created by DNA Detective, Christa Stalcup for future use and as attachment.


You may want to create your own letter.

When you provide these charts as attachments you are giving the recipient some very vital educational tools they can use in their genetic genealogy research. When you give, you receive.

Regardless, all communications with matches on Gedmatch should contain at the very least: Gedmatch Kit number, verification you have done a one-on-one comparison, your Gedmatch number, your contact information.

This is ultra important because some emails go to an administrator who tracks multiple kits. They need information about which kit you are referring to. If the administrator of the kit is a genetic genealogist doing segment studies, they may run your Gedmatch number and know immediately who your common ancestor (CA) is.

I include the words "Adoptee Friendly" in my signature because many people who are adopted are afraid they will be rejected. Unfortunately, some genealogists don't want to deal with adoptees. I don't know if they are afraid of finding skeletons in their family tree, or they don't want to "waste their time" with someone who can't provide a tree for them to look at.

Know all those people who don't have a tree posted on the site you tested? Chances are, many of them are adopted and looking for family. And they are YOUR family. Please, embrace them.

I get a rush any time I can help an adoptee find family. Triangulation and segment studies are one way for them to do this.

When doing triangulations, someone who is adopted can be the most valuable person you have in your triangulation group. If they are doing a Mirror Tree on AncestryDNA, they can use their knowledge of this technique to lead the triangulation group in the right direction. Pray for adoptees in your TG's.

The Bettinger Chart is an invaluable tool for all genetic genealogists (many have it memorized). Blaine T. Bettinger is recognized worldwide as one the foremost genetic genealogists. His book, The Family Tree Guide to DNA Testing and Genetic Genealogy is a best seller. Buy it. Read it. If you are on a strict budget, like me, check it out at your local library. (The only problem with checking it out at the library is they don't like you to underline and dog-ear.)

Jim Bartlett's, Segment-ology is a wonderful educational "how-to" blog on segment studies and triangulation. When I found Jim's blog it was like he kept turning up a dimmer switch in my head when it came to me understanding DNA and what studying segments and triangulation had to offer. I had to start at his very first blog post, because I can be a little slow on the uptake. The more I read, the more excited I got.

Note: Brady Surname Triangulation and Segment Analysis Project, this post is a tool for you. It will benefit you beyond our current Brady project. I will explain when and how to use it in a later post.

To all other readers, if you have a Brady surname in your tree, and want to join this project, contact me with your Gedmatch number, contact info, and the most distant person in your Brady line.

When I write of a TG it is interchangeable in my mind as the people in my triangulation group I target with emails. Triangulation Group = Target Group.

As always, I appreciate FB, Twitter and G+ shares.

4 comments:

  1. There are many options for creating charts and I used the option of visualizing graphs and diagrams https://poweredtemplate.com/powerpoint-diagrams-charts/index.html . In order to make the report more understandable, it`s necessary to correctly and accurately create the paragraphs of the report and of course to arrange the presentation in a logical order.

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  2. Larry Coats, thanks for your input. I have one of those brains that sort of rabbit trails around. I recently "re-learned" Powerpoint; but only enough to pull together a bit of a presentation in a somewhat logical order.

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  3. Positive site, where did u come up with the information on this posting? I'm pleased I discovered it though, ill be checking back soon to find out what additional posts you include.
    Child Support Agency (CSA)

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  4. I created the contact letter as a guide to others.

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