The Santa Barbara County Genealogical Society (SBCGS) will host its annual Family History Month Open House, 1-4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 5, at the Sahyun Genealogical Library, 316 Castillo St., Santa Barbara.

Admission is free, and all are welcome.

Guadalupe church-Santa Barbara, circa 1927 with congregation members standing outside the church.

The event will feature the debut of a special exhibit: Santa Barbara Hispanic Family Histories, 1850–1970, highlighting the stories, photographs, and legacies of local families whose histories are woven into the cultural fabric of Santa Barbara.

Guests can also receive special assistance with Hispanic genealogy research, offering practical help to start or expand their own family history journey.

The Open House will also offer a variety of activities:
• Family Search Discovery Experiences – Find famous relatives, explore your family in the 1950 census, record family memories, and take home a personalized family tree fan chart (free FamilySearch account required).
• Library Tours and Research Help – Explore Sahyun Library’s collections with guidance from experienced volunteers and special interest groups.
• Community Organizations and Lineage Groups – Connect with local partners dedicated to preserving history and heritage.
• Free Computer and Database Access – Use library computers and subscription genealogy websites at no cost during the event.
• Light refreshments and networking – Enjoy refreshments while connecting with fellow genealogy enthusiasts.

“Our Open House is about more than research, it’s about connection,” said Holly Snyder, SBCGS outreach chair.

“Every family has a story worth preserving, and this event offers the tools, resources, and inspiration to help uncover and share those stories,” she said.

For more information, visit SBGEN.org or contact Outreach@SBGEN.org.

Saskatoon Police now know who the woman in the well was in life. She was identified thanks to a combination of determined investigative work and genealogical and DNA testing.

We now know that she is Alice Spence (nee Burke). Alice moved to the town of Sutherland, SK, in 1913 from St. Louis, Minnesota. The Spence family consisted of Alice, her husband Charles and young daughter Idella. A 1916 Census is the last record investigators have found indicating Alice was alive. A fire in 1918 destroyed the family’s home and later information lists Charles living with his daughter, a housekeeper and her son in 1921. Investigators believe foul play occurred resulting in Alice’s death, sometime between 1916 and the fire in 1918. Through the development of family trees, Alice’s descendants have been located. Most of them were unaware of her and her tragic death.

The mystery began for investigators on June 29, 2006 when a site at the corner of Central Avenue and 108th Street was being excavated. Crews located an old well and a barrel containing preserved female remains. An autopsy determined the death was suspicious in nature and provided information that may help identify her. It was a miracle according to investigators. The odds of recovering the body of someone in that condition, who died so long ago are not good. “I used to say that she wanted to be found”, says Dr. Ernie Walker, a professor of anthropology and archaeology who brought his expertise to the investigation.

Over the last 19 years a number of investigators have been assigned to the case, utilizing a variety of tools including DNA testing and historical archive information to try to determine Alice’s identity. The Saskatoon Police Service also relied on a variety of partners, from the Department of Archaeology at the University of Saskatchewan, the Saskatchewan Coroner’s Service, the Western Development Museum, City of Saskatoon Archives and the City of Saskatoon Infrastructure Services. The critical break came when members of the Toronto Police Services’ Investigative Genetic Genealogy (IGG) team assisted in exploring genetic relatives and developing family trees.

“This investigation is a testament to the determination and innovation of investigators throughout all these years”, says Chief Cameron McBride. “As a Constable who assisted immediately after Alice’s remains were discovered, this is an especially satisfying outcome.”

It is believed this is the oldest investigation in Canada to be solved with the assistance of IGG.

What You Can Do

Cases like Alice Spence’s show how perseverance and new technologies can bring answers, even after more than a century. Share this story to raise awareness about the importance of investigative genetic genealogy in solving historic cold cases.

October is Family History Month, and the Allen County Public Library’s Genealogy Center is offering programs to celebrate.

ACPL and its renowned genealogy center are hosting free events throughout the month. Highlights of this year’s celebration include:

• Chasing Ghosts: The Story of the Ghost Army
• Transform Your Activity Calendar & Really Stand Out: Innovative Tools to Boost Joy, Engagement, and Reminiscence in Eldercare
• Making the Records Talk

“Family History Month is a wonderful time to engage in finding more of our families’ stories, that are the fabric of our lives, the stories that make us who we are. We are excited to provide resources and programs that bring history to life, whether through personal discovery, networking, or learning from experts.”

 - Director of Special Collections and Genealogy Center Manager Curt Witcher said.

Organizers say all activities will be open to the public and held at the main library branch in downtown Fort Wayne, unless otherwise noted.

To learn more about what the library will offer this Family History Month, visit Allen County Public Library Genealogy Center.

This update is currently in the process of rolling out to all eligible customers on the latest, V5, genotyping chip. 

The 23andMe Ancestry Team has been working hard on a major update to the Ancestry Composition report, and results are now available! Our goal is to provide the most accurate and meaningful genetic ancestry results in the industry. We ground our models in rigorous science, guided by established population genetics research, to ensure your results are consistent, reliable, and can help guide your personal journey of discovery.

What changes you’ll see

• New granularity in your ancestry percentages: 33 new populations in Europe and 6 in the Americas to explore. Plus we’ve updated our algorithm to eliminate “Broadly” and “Unassigned” categories in the default results view. 
• More accurate results: A new state-of-the-art DNA phasing pipeline reduces errors and gives a more accurate estimate of your percentages, even if your ancestry isn’t from Europe or the Americas. 
• New features: A new “Version History” section lets you compare your new results to your previous result, and 23andMe+ Premium™ members can also access all previous versions of their results at different confidence thresholds.

This update powers your Ancestry Composition, Ancestry Timeline, Parental Inheritance, DNA Painting, and more.

Our focus for this update

For this update we focused on improving the entire Ancestry Composition pipeline integrating the latest research. Throughout the rounds of development we look at two major metrics: precision and recall. Precision lets us know how often we correctly predict that a piece of DNA is from a specific population. Recall tells us how much DNA from a specific population we can correctly identify. Working to maximize both precision and recall is critical to making Ancestry Composition and other ancestry features as accurate as possible.

The final models in this update had good precision and recall across the new populations, ensuring the accuracy of the ancestry breakdown predictions while also expanding the specificity and granularity of the populations. One example of the improvements gained by this update is the reduced amount of North Asian ancestry predicted for some Indigenous North American customers. You can learn more about the development process and see precision and recall metrics for each population in the Ancestry Composition Guide.

While this update focused on increasing granularity in Europe and the Americas, customers from other parts of the world will still benefit thanks to the improvements to the science and the removal of broadly and unassigned ancestry.

Sign in and check out your new results. 

Not yet a 23andMe member? Learn more about what 23andMe has to offer.

Some questions you might be wondering about

Why are certain populations combined?

To define the 78 Ancestry Composition populations, we analyzed the reference datasets, chose candidate populations that appeared to cluster together, and then evaluated whether we can distinguish those groups in practice. Some populations tend to cluster on their own, but most country-level populations overlap to some degree. In these cases, we experiment with different groupings of country-level populations to find combinations that we can distinguish with high confidence. Check out the Ancestry Composition Guide to learn more.

Does this mean that the people in those groups are the same? No. Each group has its own history, culture, and often different languages. These groupings are a reflection of our current genetic understanding and scientific methods, not a statement about cultural identity.

Does this mean DNA that is assigned to these populations is from all groups? Not necessarily. For example, DNA assigned to the Belarusian, Polish & Ukrainian group might mean your ancestors were from one, two, or all three of those country-level populations. Sometimes other information from your DNA, such as your Genetic Groups, might help you identify more specific locations your ancestors may have come from. 

Why are some reference panels smaller than before?

A reference panel, or a reference population or reference dataset, is a collection of DNA samples from people with some common connection. We compare your DNA to these reference panels to determine which ancestry most closely corresponds to your DNA. We often use 23andMe research participants who tell us they have four grandparents all born in the same country for reference panels.

However, sometimes when we look at the ancestry prediction for individuals in a reference panel for a specific population a few individuals don’t end up being predicted to have a reasonably large percentage of their DNA from that population. These individuals are considered outliers. As part of this update we systematically reviewed our reference panels around the world to remove these outliers. But don’t worry; even though some reference panels might be smaller, we still check that the models perform as well as (or better than) before for people with ancestry from these regions. 

Why is there no Indigenous Caribbean population?

To define a new ancestry population we need reference panels made up of individuals who have deep genetic roots from one place. However, many individuals from the Caribbean are highly admixed (“admixture” refers to places where there was mixing of previously separate populations). This makes it incredibly difficult to identify a sufficient number of individuals with primarily indigenous DNA from the Caribbean. The reference panels for the new Indigenous American populations are almost entirely unadmixed, which is why we are able to provide ancestry percentages for these populations. 

So where does Indigenous Caribbean ancestry show up? We tend to see that Indigenous American ancestry in individuals from the Caribbean is spread among several of the new Indigenous American populations (especially North American, Southern Mesoamerican, Central Andean & Amazonian, and Northern Andean).

Does this mean Indigenous Caribbean ancestors came from those places? Not necessarily. It simply means that of the options available today, those populations are the closest genetic match. 

Why weren’t other parts of the world updated?

While we would love to be able to make major updates around the world more frequently, each new population requires new reference data and major updates in the prediction models. Throughout the years we have increased the number of populations across the rest of the world; however, we have not updated the populations in Europe since 2012. This update was an important opportunity to provide more detail in Europe and the Americas.

We will continue to work towards providing more specificity and granularity around the world in your ancestry percentages as well as Genetic Groups (keep an eye out over the next few months for new Genetic Groups in Africa), Historical MatchesSM, and other features.

Why did the colors change?

Adding 39 new colors to the color palette was quite the task for the 23andMe Design Team. The team took this opportunity to think about the colors holistically, coming up with a new system that provides a gradient across the world, allowing for nearby populations that are closer together geographically to be represented by more similar colors, while at the same time providing a system that can work for more populations in the future.

Who will get this update?

All customers genotyped on the current (V5) chip and with access to the ancestry service will see this update. A genotyping chip (or array) tests for a fixed set of genetic variants (SNPs) across the genome. Different chip versions (V1, V2, V3, V4, V5, etc.) test for different sets of SNPs. More recent chips often include better coverage for certain populations, recently discovered variants, or better genetic markers that help improve ancestry?composition algorithms or detect health?associated variants.

Ancestry Composition is trained on specific genotyping chip versions, and these latest models were only trained on the latest chip version. The models are incompatible with data from older genotyping chips, as older chips don’t include most of the genetic markers used by these new ancestry models. More recent chip versions are also designed with better coverage for diverse populations.
If you’re on an older chip version (or not sure which chip version you have) learn about chip upgrades here.

What happens if my family deleted data and I want to connect with them?

When you connect with a biological parent through Your Connections, we use the additional information we learn from your parents’ DNA to improve the resolution of your Ancestry Composition results. You will also be able to see the proportions of each ancestry that you inherited from each parent in the Parental Inheritance section in your Ancestry Composition report. If a family member has deleted their account they will need to purchase a new kit and create a new account before you can connect with them.

Our second in a series of educational helps and tips to assist those interesting in joining our society…”The Royal Bastards…

royalbastards.org

TikTok's China-based owner ByteDance will maintain ownership of TikTok's U.S. business operations and will cede control of the app’s data, content and algorithm to the newly formed joint venture, three sources familiar with the matter said.

ByteDance's bigger-than-expected role in the new TikTok entity lays out the continued and significant involvement of the China-based global tech giant.

On Thursday, U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order declaring a plan to sell the China-based company's TikTok U.S. operations to a consortium of investors that include Oracle, Silver Lake and others to satisfy national security requirements.

The details about the ownership structure under discussion may raise questions in Congress and among critics about whether the deal approved by Trump represents a qualified divestiture of all of TikTok’s U.S. assets as required under a 2024 law, which required ByteDance to divest its U.S. operations or face a ban.

On Friday after a Reuters report, the chair of the House Select Committee on China John Moolenaar, a Republican, said he will conduct full oversight over the deal, adding that the deal should "preclude operational ties between the new entity and ByteDance."

"The law also set firm guardrails that prohibit cooperation between ByteDance and any prospective TikTok successor on the all-important recommendation algorithm," Moolenaar said.

The structure is still under discussion and could yet change, these sources said.

The White House did not reply to a request for comment. ByteDance did not reply to a request for comment after Asia business hours. TikTok in the U.S. did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Sources said the new U.S. TikTok would be divided into two companies. The joint venture that was announced by Trump will serve as the backend operations to the U.S. company and handle U.S. user data and algorithm. ByteDance is expected to be the single largest minority shareholder in the joint venture, sources said.

A separate division that will continue to be wholly owned by ByteDance will control the revenue-generating business operations such as e-commerce and advertising, these sources said.

The new U.S. company will be valued at around $14 billion, Vice President JD Vance said.

Reports in Chinese media published on Friday described a two-part structure in which ByteDance will continue to own the part of TikTok U.S. that will be responsible for e-commerce, branding operations and interconnection with international operations, while a separate new joint venture will handle the user data and algorithm. The reports by Chinese media outlets LatePost and Caixin were taken down later on Friday.

Saving TikTok in the U.S. is important to Trump. He talks about TikTok often and how it has helped him reach young voters. He has credited TikTok, which has 170 million U.S. users, with helping him win reelection last year, and has 15 million followers on his personal TikTok account. The White House also launched an official TikTok account last month.

Local historian and genealogist Desi Campbell will give a presentation at the 2025 Family History Fair Saturday in the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources building in Raleigh. The theme of this year’s fair is African American Genealogy and History and will focus on experiences with and tips for researching African American ancestry and history. 

The event will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 109 E. Jones St. and is free and open to the public.

Genealogy enthusiasts invited to learn how to trace Revolutionary War patriots, transcribe history, and explore family roots

The Tennessee State Library & Archives invites the public to its free annual Family History Day on Saturday, October 11, 2025, at 9:30 a.m., offering an engaging day of historical discovery, hands-on activities, and expert research assistance to help connect patrons to their family history and heritage.

This year’s featured speaker is MerryAnne Pierson, a nationally recognized genealogist and longtime Tennessee resident, who will present “Researching Your Revolutionary War Patriot.”

In her talk, Pierson will guide attendees through a wide range of resources available for discovering Revolutionary War ancestors—including digital archives, military records, land grants, published genealogies, and more. 

Her presentation will emphasize research strategies for identifying patriots from the original 13 colonies and will highlight contributions from Indigenous peoples, enslaved and free Black soldiers, and other often-overlooked figures of the Revolutionary era.

“As the premier genealogical resource center in Tennessee, TSLA offers a pathway for patrons to not only discover their ancestors, but also uncover their stories,” said Secretary of State Tre Hargett. “Getting to learn about the research process with Ms. Pierson will help connect Tennesseans with the tools and resources available to them through the Library & Archives that can support their research endeavors.” 

Pierson’s credentials in genealogical research are extensive. A retired surgical nurse and Ohio native, she has pursued genealogy with scholarly rigor, earning certifications from the National Genealogical Society, Boston University, and the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR).

She currently serves as the Tennessee DAR Lineage Research Chair and is active in several other heritage organizations, including the Mayflower Society and the United States Daughters of 1812.

Family History Day is more than just a lecture—it’s a celebration of discovery. Throughout the day, attendees can participate in a “Transcribe-a-thon,” helping to make digitized historical records more accessible to researchers by transcribing original documents from the Library & Archives’ vast collections.

“Our team is ready year-round to support researchers in their search for knowledge about their ancestors,” said Tennessee State Librarian and Archivist Jamie Ritter. “We are looking forward to seeing what special mementos and records people bring along with them, so we can help share preservation tips that help protect their items.” 

Public Services staff and volunteers will also be on hand to assist guests with their genealogical research, offering personalized guidance and access to unique Tennessee records and databases.

New this year, visitors can also take part in “Ask an Archivist,” an opportunity to bring questions about Library & Archives collections or their own family treasures. 

While staff cannot provide appraisals, they will share practical advice on preserving photos, letters, and other cherished materials for future generations. 

The event is free and open to the public, but registration for the presentation is required. To reserve your seat, access Eventbrite by clicking here. 

The Library & Archives is located at 1001 Rep. John Lewis Way North on the northeast corner of Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park, across from the Tennessee State Museum. Parking is available for guests in the Library & Archives garage on Junior Gilliam Way. 

The Library & Archives is also open for research throughout the year, Tuesday through Saturday, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. CT. The interactive exhibit lobby is open to the public Monday through Saturday, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. CT.

For more information, visit: Plan Your Visit | Tennessee Secretary of State (tn.gov). For more information about the Library & Archives, call 615-741-2764, email ask@tsla.libanswers.com, or visit https://sos.tn.gov/tsla.

A few strands of hair have uncovered secrets no one saw coming. Nearly two centuries after Ludwig van Beethoven’s death, a genetic analysis of his DNA has shed new light on his health—and sparked fresh questions about his family tree. What do these historic locks reveal about the man behind the music?

In March 2023, an international team of scientists released the findings of a comprehensive DNA study based on hair samples taken from Beethoven. Their goal: to unravel long-standing mysteries about his medical history and genetic background. What they found not only added new layers to our understanding of his final years—it also raised unexpected questions about his ancestry.

What Beethoven’s hair reveals

The genetic testing revealed several surprising insights into Beethoven’s health:

• His likely cause of death? Hepatitis B, worsened by heavy alcohol use.
• One theory dismissed: lead poisoning didn’t kill him.
• One puzzle remains: the cause of his deafness and stomach issues is still unknown.

These findings offer a clearer picture of the composer’s final chapter. The evidence suggests that hepatitis B, combined with alcohol consumption, may have led to his early death at age 56. That conclusion challenges the long-held belief that he died of lead poisoning—a theory that had persisted for decades due to 19th-century medical practices.

DNA analysis of Beethoven’s hair has solved many mysteries, some two hundred years after his death. © iStock

A family mystery in the genes

But the biggest surprise wasn’t about his health—it was in his DNA. When scientists compared Beethoven’s Y chromosome (passed down along the paternal line) with the Y chromosomes of living relatives, the results didn’t match. In other words, somewhere between 1572 and Beethoven’s birth in 1770, a child was born outside the official family line.

Timeframe	Discovery
1572–1770	A non-paternal event altered Beethoven’s direct male line

This revelation adds a fascinating twist to Beethoven’s family history. Somewhere between the birth of Hendrik van Beethoven in Belgium and Ludwig’s in Germany, the genetic line was disrupted. It’s a very human detail—one that reminds us that even the lives of legends are filled with unexpected turns.

What we still don’t know

Despite these breakthroughs, many questions about Beethoven’s health remain unanswered:

1. What caused his gradual hearing loss, which began in his twenties?
2. Why did he suffer chronic abdominal pain?
3. What was behind his ongoing digestive problems?

These mysteries continue to fascinate researchers and fans alike. His deafness—he became functionally deaf around age 48—is perhaps the most tragic. It’s a haunting paradox: a man who composed some of the world’s most powerful music, unable to hear it himself.

When a lock of hair rewrites history

There was one more twist: a lock of hair long thought to be Beethoven’s turned out to belong to an unknown woman. That mix-up underscores how tricky it is to authenticate historical artifacts—and why science matters when uncovering the past.

In the end, the genuine strands of Beethoven’s hair—taken after his death on a stormy March day in 1827—have revealed more than anyone could have guessed. They’ve offered new clues about his health, his ancestry, and the deeply human story behind a musical legend.