Texas Branch

The Holland Society of New York

Texas Branch

June 14, 2010

Dear Friends,

I have looked for an opportunity to follow up with you about a question that we asked in our Holland Society Membership Survey back in 2008. At that time, we asked whether someone had an interest in DNA research or genetic genealogy. More than 50% of the Holland Society's membership expressed an interest in deepening their knowledge of their ancestry through genetic genealogy research. Through my friendship with Sean Staats, one of our newest Holland Society members, and the founders of his pioneering company, Family Tree DNA, I am pleased and honored to join them in announcing an exciting opportunity...and an upcoming branch event.

Please read on for more information about a fantastic Holland Society promotion from Family Tree DNA and a Genetic Genealogy 101 Weekend that the Texas Branch of the Holland Society will be hosting this October 15-17, 2010 in Houston, Texas.

A Journey of Discovery

In 1994, I embarked upon an intense quest to discover my Dutch ancestry. 12 years, 5 countries, 100+ trips to archives and libraries, more than 50 personal contacts, thousands of hours and well in excess of $10,000 later...I had brought my family tree back from Staten Island, NY in the 1800s to Limburg, Belgium in the 1500s. Several years ago, I learned about the stunning advances in genetic genealogy and decided to give it a shot. For a couple of hundred bucks, I got teleported into an entirely different universe of ancestral knowledge. I learned that my paternal ancestors were actually Norseman or Viking (haplogroup I1). My maternal ancestors were Celts (haplogroup T). I began reading books about the origins of the Indo-Europeans and seeing myself, my family and my ancestors in the light of deep ancestry. This has given me a profound perspective on my life...and my family's origins in Northern and Northwestern Europe. By participating in the research database, I have come in contact with many distant relatives whom I would otherwise never know since our surnames have diverged completely.

Had genetic genealogy been available to me as a researcher back in 1994, knowing what I know now, it would have been - or should have been - my first task and my first expenditure. Despite the strong knowledge that I gained of my family history through traditional genealogical research, discovering my family's deep ancestry has irrevocably enriched, broadened and solidified my identity. If our lives and documented genealogies could be considered movies, learning our deep ancestry is like watching a prequel that sets the stage and starts to explain what happened earlier.

I hope that you, your family or friends will experience the enrichment and satisfaction of learning about your deep ancestry...discovering something extremely ancient about your origins...and getting to know distant relatives that you never imagined existed.

Thank you for your interest in our shared heritage. I hope that you will deepen your understanding of your family's history by one or more adventures in genetic genealogy! This special offer from Family Tree DNA and the Texas Branch of The Holland Society of New York should give you everything you need to get started. Please read the following message from our Holland Society cousin, Sean Staats, and our friends at Family Tree DNA...and visit our Holland Society DNA Project webpage when you have a moment.

Best regards,

Patrick Van Pelt, Trustee
President, Texas Branch
Chairman, Membership Committee
The Holland Society of New York
1218 Webster Street
The Benjamin Building
Houston, TX 77002

Website: www.hollandsociety.org
Email: membership@hsny2009.org 

Telephone: (800) 482-5012

Discovering Our Ancient Origins and Our Living Common Ties
Putting Genetic Genealogy to Work

Dear Friends:

We would like to cordially invite you to come and swim with us in the Gene Pool at the 2010 meeting of the Texas Branch of The Holland Society of New York. You don't have to bring a bathing suit or a towel to this party, though. We are going to have some fun doing DNA testing to find out who is related to whom in the Holland Society. There will be a "Genetic Genealogy 101" presentation to help you get your feet wet in using genetic testing for genealogy. There will also be test-specific presentations to help you understand the science and how to use the results. A number of other social events are also being planned but we wanted to let you know in advance as the DNA testing is available at a reduced rate until June 25, 2010!

Since many of us have deep ancestral roots in the U.S., we share common ancestors from many of our lines; therefore, we highly recommend the Family Finder test which will help members discover relatives anywhere in their family tree. However, as the Holland Society is focused primarily on paternal ancestry, we also recommend the Y-DNA test. Of course, feel free to purchase any and all of the tests that you are interested in. Here are the details on how to participate:

1. Select a DNA test from those listed below and submit your order, please note you are part of the Holland Society Group Project when placing your order.

2. Ensure that you get your cheek swab and submission in prior to July 30 th if you want to ensure your results are ready for the October meeting in Texas. Please note, everyone is welcome to attend and you don't have to be a member of the Texas branch!

3. Even if you aren't able to join us for the meeting please feel free to participate in this activity and we will look for other ways for you to share your results with the Holland Society family if you so desire.

If you have questions or would prefer to mail a check for your order, please send an email to sstaats@familytreedna.com or call Family Tree DNA customer service at (713) 868-1438. In your email or phone call, it is of utmost importance that you mention you are ordering a test as a part of the Holland Society Group Project . Also, please specify which test you are ordering and what your mailing address is. We will then send your test kit(s) to you along with an invoice so you can return a check along with your cheek swabs from the test kit(s). You may also send, with the required information mentioned above, a fax at (832) 201-7147 or a letter to the following address:

Family Tree DNA
C/O: Holland Society Group Project
1445 North Loop West
Suite 820
Houston, TX 77008

Be sure to take advantage of the "Early Bird" prices on the Y-DNA tests and purchase your test kits by June 25 th and remember, you must mail back your cheek swabs to Family Tree DNA by the end of July to ensure you get your results before the meeting. There, we will have presentations about the DNA tests where you will learn how to understand the results, be able to ask questions and have fun finding your Holland Society cousins and other relatives you never knew you had.

More details on the date, times, activities and location of the meeting are forthcoming.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Sean Staats
Holland Society Member
Membership Committee Volunteer
Family Tree DNA
c/o Holland Society Group Project
1445 North Loop West
Suite 820
Houston, TX 77008
Telephone: (713) 868-1438
Fax: (832) 201-7147

Website: www.familytreedna.com

Email: sstaats@familytreedna.com

Word Cloud of New Netherland Surnames