In August 1978, a homicide victim was found burned in a fire at a boat ramp fire at the Poole Knobs Recreation Area in LaVergne, Tennessee. Rutherford County Sheriff’s deputies responded to find the remains of an unidentified male. The homicide victim was wrapped in a blanket and had been shot four times, twice in the face. Investigators suspect he was shot at another location before being dragged to the campsite and burned. Investigators determine the victim was a white male between 30 and 40 years old. He stood 5 feet 10 inches tall, weighed approximately 160 pounds, and had medium length brown hair. The only clues to his identity were a partial set of dentures and scars on his chest from a possible heart surgery. He also had a quarter-sized mole on his torso, about two inches from his waistline.

Investigators undertook a decades-long search to determine who the man was and what happened. Fingerprints, from one hand that was not burned, were collected but generated no matches to an identity. A traditional DNA profile was created but did not produce a match in CODIS. In 2018, a facial reconstruction and a sketch of the victim were generated but, to date, have not produced any leads. More than forty years later, investigators are still looking for leads that might point to the identity of the victim and those that might be responsible for his death. Details of the case were entered into the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs) as UP1585.

In 2020, the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office submitted forensic evidence to Othram in The Woodlands, Texas to determine if advanced DNA testing could help identify the victim. At Othram, scientists successfully developed a DNA extract from the provided evidence, which presented significant challenges given the burnt condition of the man's remains. After the successful extraction of DNA, Othram scientists used Forensic-Grade Genome Sequencing® to build a comprehensive DNA profile for the victim. Othram's in-house forensic genetic genealogy team used the profile in a genetic genealogy search to develop new investigative leads that were returned to law enforcement.

Using this new information, a follow-up investigation was conducted leading investigators to potential relatives of the victim. Reference DNA samples were collected from a relative and compared to the DNA profile of the unidentified man. This investigation led to the positive identification of the murder victim, who is now known to be 52-year-old Jessie Lee Williamson. An investigations into Williamson's death is ongoing. Anyone with information about the victim is encouraged to contact Detective Sgt. Richard Brinkley with the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office at (615) 904-3045.

A portion of Othram's casework costs associated with the advanced DNA testing and forensic genetic genealogy completed in this case was contributed by donors through a DNASolves® crowdfund. We are grateful to everyone that helped crowdfund this case and other DNASolves cases. Remaining costs for the advanced DNA testing and forensic genetic genealogy used in this case was provided by NamUs, a national program that assists the criminal justice community with the investigation and resolution of missing, unidentified, and unclaimed persons cases across the United States and its territories. NamUs is funded and administered by the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) and is managed through a contract with Research Triangle Institute International (RTI). Othram is grateful for the support of RTI, NamUs, and the NIJ.

Individuals who have taken a consumer DNA test can aid ongoing forensic investigations by contributing their DNA to the DNASolves database. Expanding the number of available DNA profiles increases the likelihood of successful identifications, helping to reunite families with their missing loved ones and resolve cases that have remained unsolved for years.

The identification of Jessie Lee Williamson represents the 27th case in the State of Tennesse where officials have publicly identified an individual using technology developed by Othram. Visit DNASolves to learn about other Tennessee cases where your support can help bring long-awaited answers to families.

October 3 is Tag der Deutschen Einheit — German Unity Day — and October 6 is German-American Day. Let’s celebrate “Ahnenfest” – Geneanet’s German ancestor festival – with free access for American members to our Premium German collections from Oct. 3-10!

Do you have roots in Germany? October 3 is Tag der Deutschen Einheit (Germany Unity Day), a national holiday in Germany since 1990 which celebrates the reunification of the country at the end of the Cold War. And October 6 is German-American Day, when 40 million Americans celebrate their German heritage. At Geneanet, we have decided to celebrate these two holidays together as “Ahnenfest” – Ancestor Festival –, with a full week of free access to our Premium German records and collections from October 3-10 inclusive!

The upper Midwest has the highest percentage of German-Americans! Many German settlers bought through tickets from US railroad agents in German cities; passengers disembarked in Eastern seaboard ports and boarded trains West directly. Data source: US Census Bureau’s American Community Survey, image: Abbasi786786 at Wikimedia Commons, license CC

Geneanet is available in German and we have over 54 million birth, marriage, and death register records in our collections — 155 million indexed individuals! –, usually reserved for Premium members, available free during Geneanet’s Ahnenfest. Search them through our German vital records search engine or our portal for all German documents or our main search screen with all options enabled or through our brand-new Collections Catalog page. You can even upload your family tree to Geneanet — perhaps you will connect with your German cousins!

Just getting started in German genealogy? It can be complicated: fluid borders, the impact of wars, records held mostly at local level, documents written in Kurrent or Sütterlin script or Fraktur typefaces, not to mention strict privacy laws! Read our comprehensive guide Resources for German Genealogy. Ancestors from Alsace-Lorraine? Read our in-depth guide Finding Your Ancestors From Alsace-Lorraine.

Take advantage of our rich collections with advanced Premium search options such as search by couple, by occupation, by parents, by events, as well as spelling variants, geographic area and wildcards. And search our Genealogy Library with millions of pages of books and newspapers. Tap into our archival records, books and newspapers and grow your tree!

Thanks to our partner, Alamance Community College, a batch of Scott Family ephemera is now available to view on DigitalNC. The ephemera includes everything from former North Carolina governor W. Kerr Scott’s campaign materials to photographs to medals.

Poster from W. Kerr Scott’s campaign for North Carolina Governor [1948].

From a farming family and a farmer his whole life, W. Kerr Scott is well-known for being an agricultural leader and champion of rural North Carolinians both in and outside the political roles he held during his life. After graduating from North Carolina State College in 1917 with a degree in agriculture and serving as an artilleryman during World War I, Scott worked as agricultural agent in Alamance County from 1920 to 1930. He then served as Master of the State Grange, an organization that is still active today, from 1931 to 1933. And then, in the two years before entering into politics, Scott was a regional director of the Farm Debt Adjustment Program of the Resettlement Administration.

Making good on a promise to his father (“Farmer Bob”), Scott began his political career in 1936 when he ran for and was elected State Agriculture Commissioner. He continued to hold that position until 1948 when he resigned to run for Governor of North Carolina. Scott was elected and served as Governor of North Carolina from 1949 to 1953. At the end of his term as governor, Scott made the decision to run for United States Senator. The campaign ephemera in this batch from Scott’s run for senate—such as the “Kerr Scott: Tar Heel Building” pamphlet pictured here—unsurprisingly highlights Scott as a man who comes from a family of successful farmers and politicians, united town and country, successfully advocated for rural North Carolina farmers, and never let the State’s money idle.

Over his two decade political career, Scott introduced a new era of progressive reforms. He was a leading proponent of rural electrification, led the fight to get rid of Bangs disease among cattle in the state, forced manufacturers of feed and fertilizer to eliminate sawdust and sand from their products; appointed the first Black member of the State Board of Education, Harold Trigg; appointed the first female Superior Court judge, Susie Sharp; paved more roads in his four years as governor than had been paved up to 1949.

To learn more about or view more materials from Alamance Community College, visit their contributor page linked here.

Information about W. Kerr Scott was gathered from NCPedia, DNCR, and materials from this batch.

To learn about the North Carolina Grange, visit their website, or browse our newspaper collection to read about their development in the state, going as far back as June 28, 1873.

Blackstone Inc. (NYSE:BX) is one of the best American stocks to buy and hold for the next 3 years. On September 25, Reuters reported that Private equity firm Blackstone is currently exploring strategic options for Ancestry.com, the popular genealogy and DNA testing platform. These options include pursuing an Initial Public Offering/IPO or an outright sale of the company.

Sources familiar with the matter, who requested anonymity, indicated that Blackstone has invited banks to submit proposals for an IPO, with requests being submitted earlier in the week of September 25. A public listing for the Lehi, Utah-based company could potentially value it at approximately $10 billion, although the discussions are in the early stages and details remain subject to change.

Blackstone is also considering the alternative option of selling the asset. However, the private equity firm has not finalized any decision and may opt to hold onto the asset for a longer period. Both Blackstone and Ancestry.com representatives have declined to comment on the matter.

Blackstone Inc. (NYSE:BX) is an alternative asset management firm that specializes in private equity, real estate, hedge fund solutions, credit, secondary funds of funds, public debt & equity and multi-asset class strategies.

Legacy Family Tree Webinars — proudly part of the MyHeritage family since 2017 — is expanding into French! Starting October 7, a new series of live genealogy webinars will be offered entirely in French, alongside more than 100 French-language sessions now available on demand. This is an exciting addition for French-speaking genealogists worldwide, and a great resource to share with anyone in your community who speaks French or researches in French-language records.  The first three live sessions (all free to attend) are: Filae : la maison des archives originales françaises with Yann Guillerm, Community Manager and Editor at Filae, Tuesday, October 7, 2025 at 2 P.M. GMT / 10 A.M. EST Explorer vos racines en France : méthodes et ressources en ligne avec les collections de MyHeritage with Marie Cappart, historian and professional genealogist, Tuesday, October 21, 2025 at 2 P.M. GMT / 10 A.M. EST Explorer vos racines au Luxembourg : archives locales et ressources MyHeritage with Liliane Hierro, professional genealogist and author, Tuesday, November 4, 2025 at 2 P.M. GMT / 10 A.M. EST See the full French webinar schedule and register here

The Tuscarawas County Public Library System will hold a Local History & Genealogy Faire at its Main Library and Operations Center Saturday, Oct. 11, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The four-hour event is free and open to anyone interested in local or family history.

“Genealogy research is not always easy because it can be hard to know where to start,” said Tabitha Johnson, adult and teen services manager. “This event gives everyone the chance to learn about the resources available at their library and to reach out to organizations with a local history and genealogy focus.”

Johnson said informational tables will include local author and historian Noel Poirier; the Ohio Genealogical Society; the Bolivar Area Historical Society; the New Philadelphia Rotary Club and RTY Inc.; the Reeves Victorian Home and Carriage House Museum; Schoenbrunn Village; the Tuscarawas Genealogical Society; the Tuscarawas County Heritage Homes Association; the Tuscarawas County Historical Society; and the Canton Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, among others.

At 12:30 p.m., RTY board members Carey Gardner and Rich Geib will present a program on the history of Tuscora Park.

The library’s genealogy collection and resources will also be showcased, with staff available to demonstrate the library’s microfilm machine and preservation station.

“Participants will also be able to sign up for mini Book-A-Genealogist sessions with a library genealogy specialist,” said Gina Merrill, public services associate. “The library’s technology training coordinator will offer 20-minute demonstrations on databases that are free to use with your library card.”

Demonstrations will include Ancestry Library at 11:15 a.m., Fold3 at 1:45 p.m. and Newspaper Archives at 2:30 p.m.

In addition, there will be a self-guided tour of the library’s local history and genealogy collections, including family histories, cemetery records, city directories and high school yearbooks.

“We hope people come away excited about discovering their own family stories and knowing that the library offers free genealogy resources to help them every step of the way,” Johnson said.

Registration is requested and can be completed by visiting the library’s event calendar at tusclibrary.org or by calling 330-364-4474. The Main Library and Operations Center is at 121 Fair Ave. NW in New Philadelphia.

The DNA Test Kit Market has emerged as a transformative segment in biotechnology and personal healthcare, offering individuals insights into ancestry, genetic health risks, and personalized wellness. DNA test kits allow users to collect samples at home and receive detailed genetic reports, empowering informed health decisions and personalized lifestyle choices. The growing consumer interest in genetic testing, coupled with advancements in genomics, has propelled the market forward.

Increasing awareness of hereditary diseases, preventive healthcare, and personalized medicine is driving demand. Moreover, declining costs of DNA sequencing and rapid technological improvements in testing accuracy are contributing to broader adoption. Both direct-to-consumer (DTC) kits and clinical-grade DNA testing solutions are witnessing rising traction across regions.

Click for sample report – https://www.snsinsider.com/sample-request/7259

Market Overview

The global DNA Test Kit Market is projected to experience robust growth, fueled by rising consumer awareness, technological advancements, and supportive healthcare policies. Key drivers include:

• Increasing adoption of direct-to-consumer genetic testing
• Rising demand for personalized healthcare and wellness solutions
• Technological advancements improving test accuracy and reducing cost
• Growth in online platforms facilitating easy kit delivery and result access

Market Statistics (2024–2032):

• 2024 Market Size: USD 1.84 billion
• 2032 Forecasted Market Size: USD 6.26 billion
• CAGR (2025–2032): 16.56%

Major applications include ancestry testing, health risk assessment, pharmacogenomics, and lifestyle recommendations.

Growth Insights

The DNA Test Kit Market is poised for strong expansion over the coming years:

• Health & Wellness Applications: Consumers are increasingly using DNA kits to identify hereditary risks, optimize diets, and guide fitness routines.
• Ancestry & Genealogy: Rising curiosity about personal heritage is a key growth driver for ancestry-focused DNA kits.
• Clinical Adoption: Hospitals and diagnostic centers are incorporating DNA testing for preventive health screening and personalized treatment planning.
• Technological Innovations: Advanced sequencing technologies, AI-driven analysis, and improved sample collection methods are enhancing reliability and user experience.
• Regional Trends: North America leads the market with high consumer awareness and advanced healthcare infrastructure, while Asia-Pacific is witnessing rapid growth due to expanding awareness and rising disposable incomes.

Market Stats:

• 2024: USD 1.84 billion
• 2032: USD 6.26 billion
• CAGR: 16.56%
• Direct-to-consumer kits expected to account for over 60% of market revenue by 2030
• Asia-Pacific projected to grow at 18% CAGR due to healthcare accessibility and awareness campaigns

Key Market Segments

By Product Type:

• Saliva-based DNA test kits
• Blood-based DNA test kits
• Buccal swab test kits

By Application:

• Ancestry & Genealogy
• Health Risk & Disease Prediction
• Lifestyle & Fitness Guidance
• Pharmacogenomics

By Region:

• North America
• Europe
• Asia-Pacific
• Latin America
• Middle East & Africa

Competitive Landscape

Leading players in the DNA Test Kit Market focus on product innovation, partnerships, and regional expansion. Strategies include:

• Developing faster, accurate, and easy-to-use kits
• Expanding direct-to-consumer channels and online sales platforms
• Collaborating with healthcare providers for clinical applications
• Offering AI-powered genetic insights and personalized reports

Conclusion

The DNA Test Kit Market is projected to grow from USD 1.84 billion in 2024 to USD 6.26 billion by 2032, at a CAGR of 16.56%. Rising consumer interest in personalized health, ancestry exploration, and preventive medicine is driving widespread adoption. Technological advancements, cost-effective solutions, and increasing accessibility are further enhancing market growth. The future outlook remains highly positive, positioning DNA test kits as an essential tool in personalized healthcare and wellness.

Leon Pantoya

After a tenacious three-year investigation that employed modern forensic science, the Pueblo County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) in Colorado has announced an arrest in connection with the 2022 homicide of Steven Robinson, a man whose remains were discovered in a shallow grave.

On Thursday, September 26, 2025—exactly three years and a day after the initial discovery—PCSO detectives and the U.S. Marshals Task Force arrested Leon Pantoya, a 43-year-old Pueblo man, on a warrant for first-degree murder. Pantoya was also charged with identity theft and theft, and has been booked into the Pueblo County Jail.

The complex case, led by Detective Vanessa Simpson, began on September 25, 2022, when a property owner in the 3500 block of 36th Lane reported finding possible human remains in a field. Forensic analysis confirmed the remains were human, and an autopsy later determined the victim had died from blunt force and sharp force trauma, ruling the manner of death a homicide.

Genetic Genealogy Key to Identification

For over a year, the victim remained unidentified, despite being entered into the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System database and having a forensic artist’s reconstruction image publicly shared.

The major breakthrough came after the victim’s DNA was submitted to a genetic genealogy database with assistance from the Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI). In late 2024, a match with a relative led to the positive identification of the victim as 39-year-old Steven Robinson, originally from South Carolina, who had moved to Pueblo in 2017.

Financial Fraud Uncovered

Investigators soon discovered that Robinson had been living with Pantoya at the time of his death in early January 2022. Detectives learned Pantoya had informed Robinson’s friends and landlord that Robinson had died of pneumonia on January 22, 2022. Further investigation determined Robinson’s remains were buried on property owned by one of Pantoya’s relatives.

Crucially, the investigation also revealed that Pantoya had withdrawn more than $75,000 from Robinson’s bank account. This financial theft continued for over a year after Robinson’s death, as the victim’s military disability payments continued to be deposited into the account.

Sheriff David J. Lucero publicly praised the lead investigator, Detective Simpson. “Detective Simpson has been dedicated and committed to solving this case for years… She worked tirelessly not only to identify the victim but also to investigate the homicide and identify a suspect,” Sheriff Lucero said. “Bringing closure to this case is a testament to modern science and solid investigative police work.”

The Pueblo County Sheriff’s Office is asking anyone with further information related to this case to contact Detective Simpson at (719) 583-6436.

It’s been 23 years, but Toronto police are still asking for help identifying a man who was found dead in a park.

The man was found May 22, 2003 in Humberwoods Park. An autopsy revealed his death was not suspicious, but police still don’t know who he is.

He is described as 50 to 60-years-old at the time of his death and therefore, was likely born in the 1940s or 50s.

Investigative Genetic Genealogy has shown the man was from Grenada, likely from the Birch Grove area in the parish of St. Andrew.

For more information, including his picture, click here.

Anyone with information can call police at 416-808-7411 or Crime Stoppers at 416-222-8477 (TIPS).

Homicide detectives in Nassau County shared new information about a decades-old cold case.

Susan Mann was 15 years old when she was last seen in Queens back in May 1980.

Two years later, her decomposing body was found in a dumpster in Freeport.

Detectives believe Mann was buried and moved from a location where she was buried sometime in 1980 and brought to the dumpster where she was found in 1982.

After her body was found, she was buried as a 'Jane Doe,' but police say her body was recently identified with 'investigative genealogy.'

Detectives say Mann was last seen wearing a striped top, blue jeans and sandals, and riding a bike that was never recovered.

Detectives want to hear from anyone who may have seen her in the Freeport area between 1980 and 1982 or who would have information that would lead to a suspect.

"We're looking for anybody that would have known her, would have been in the Freeport area during that time in '80 to '82 or anybody that thinks they have some kind of information that would lead to a suspect or an investigative lead to an arrest," Commanding officer of the Nassau County homicide squad, Stephen Fitzpatrick, said.