Archive for August, 2008

The Success of Genealogy Research Lies in DNA Testing

Thursday, August 21st, 2008

There are about 60,000 billion cells found in the human body. It includes muscle cells, cheek cells, and white blood cells. Each cell contains the whole genetic information which is the DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid). The nucleus inside the cell holds the DNA or chromosomal DNA that consists of Y chromosomal DNA, X chromosomal DNA, and autosomal DNA. The external part of the nucleus holds mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA). The autosomal DNA comes from both the mother and the father, Y chromosomes are inherited by a son from his father, and mtDNA comes from the mother only.

There are advancements made in testing DNA to meet various areas of interests. For example, the most common uses of DNA are related to finding criminals and proving paternity. But today, genealogy research also uses DNA testing.

For so many years, genealogy has become an important element of the society and a favorite hobby of some enthusiasts. Although this is more rewarding, somehow it brings frustrations even to expert genealogists. It can be very time consuming when doing paper research. More often, it can lead to illegible and damaged documents. But, DNA testing provides quick results without questioning its authenticity or quality. Moreover, the genetic genealogy results can endure the tests of time.

1. Mitochondrial testing is utilized for tracing the maternal heritage of a person. The mtDNA testing is very important since genealogists are mostly females. When they marry, maternal lines are often lost because of changing their surnames. In this manner, they can learn and trace their maternal ancestry.

There are advances made in understanding genetics and using laboratory techniques in helping a person to identify maternal lineage through mtDNA tracing services. The distinct mtDNA of person is analyzed and compared to the databases of other samples of mtDNA worldwide, revealing information about the lost ancestry.  

The mtDNA remains nearly unchanged even for so many years. You can share the same type of mtDNA with your mother, maternal grandmother, and maternal great grandmother. The same exact mtDNA code can track your direct maternal lineage way back from the time where mtDNA code’s natural mutation occurred.

Women who are living today can trace their origins 150 thousands years ago through natural mutations or mitochondrial eve.  In connection with matrilineal descent, eve is the common ancestor. But it doesn’t necessarily imply that eve is the only woman who lived in that era. There were also other women alive but only the lineage of eve has survived.
2. Y chromosomal DNA testing is the most common used form of genetic genealogy testing. Some people can even trace if a deceased man is related to them by conducting this test.

Like mtDNA, Y chromosomes can be also traced back from one prehistoric father, Adam. The DNA mutation of the first Y chromosomes naturally occurs over many generations. Determining the present Y chromosomes can trace your paternal lineage through searching the Y database worldwide.

Moreover, genealogists can find out if two people are related because they have similar surnames through Y chromosomes testing. It is not impossible since in most cultures, surnames or family names are inherited by children from their fathers like the Y chromosomal DNA.

A successful genealogy research lies on DNA testing because its usefulness is proven as time has passed by.

Baby Shower Centerpieces: Some Ideas

Wednesday, August 20th, 2008

There are many things you can use for a baby shower centerpiece. The more traditional centerpieces that are usually used for baby showers are floral arrangements. You can place a selection of your favorite flowers and arrange them in a beautiful basket. If you have a theme color, or motif, you can incorporate it to the décor of your flower arrangement.

There are many different sizes and shapes of basket that you can use for your flower arrangements. The best thing about flower arrangements is that they add an element of the outdoors in your home. The freshness and beauty of these flowers would add a delicate touch to your baby shower.

If you want to make your centerpiece fun, and more delightful, you can add baby things in your floral basket such as: washcloth, soft toys, baby bottles, bears and bunnies, teething toys, small colorful socks, etc. This would fit right into the theme of the baby shower.

But if you don’t want to make your own baby shower centerpiece, you can always buy these floral centerpieces ready made. The price varies depending on what’s included in the pack. The average price of the baby shower basket is around $60. It includes an arrangement of flowers, and baby items such as: rubber ducks, soft toys, blankets, washcloth, rattles and comb & brush sets.

Another centerpiece that is popular in baby showers is a diaper cake. Now, understand that a diaper cake is actually not an edible cake. It is a set of diapers that is arrange in such a way as to resemble a real cake! The great thing about this is that the diapers can then be used by the baby after the baby shower. This a very practical baby shower centerpiece.

But if what you are after is a more festive mood, you can always use balloons! After all, what is a celebration without balloons? Tie a stack of colorful balloons
to a weight, then place them on your table. Balloons are very cheap. If you are working on a limited budget, then balloons are a great idea. Plus, they are so easy to find. Just run down to any party store, and voila!

Balloons!

Hey! did you know that plants can be centerpieces too? Just add a toy along with a plant, like a tiny bear or a rubber ducky, and place it in a colorful pot. Instantly you have a unique baby shower centerpiece.

Fishbowls work as a great centerpiece too! Decorate your fishbowl with beads, add some water and floating candles. This would make a lovely centerpiece.

A baby shower gift basket also works as a centerpiece too. If you have received such a present in advanced, why not put it out on display. The great thing about this, is that it already follows the theme of a baby shower.

The secret is to get creative. There are no rules when it comes to baby shower centerpieces. You can even use stuffed toys, and tie them to balloons.

Maybe you want to create a beach theme, you can place a small baby blanket, a toy boat, a beach ball, and even a small treasure chest!

The occasion of a baby shower is a happy occasion for a new mother, and the baby on board. Baby shower centerpieces add to the atmosphere of the occasion. So just get creative and have fun with it!

Crochet for Beginners

Tuesday, August 19th, 2008

Many theorize that knitted and crochet items survived in the early period of imperialism. Many communities in this era used this kind of industry as their main source of living. The crocheted and knitted products are mostly purchased by the middle class society.

Crochet was known to identify the status symbol of a person from the early history. This kind culture was practiced by the royalties who were able to afford buying expensive lace products and make the value of crochet products to depreciate.

Many have theorized that knitting and crocheting was developed through the old practices of people leaving in countries like China, Middle Eastern countries, and in South America. Many people believe that crochet may have been practiced by early cultures to flex the muscles of the forefinger rather than a fashion hook. This theory was accepted by many craft historians because of the lack of artifact crochet products as proof of its traditional practices.

In the early 1800’s, many European communities have used crochet products in place of the much expensive lace made materials. Crocheting only requires fewer materials, and it is also widely accepted by different social classes. From these periods, crochet was done mostly on thread. The most common widely made products from crochet were filet crochet made in rows either open or close mesh to make a particular pattern. While in the 1900’s, the massive production of steel hooks have introduced many products which are made from thread.

In today’s time, crocheting and knitting is the pleasure of many people. It has recently evolved the interest of many people on handicraft making that made it so popular with the high quality of yarns and threads used. The pleasure of making a crochet item is working it with different yarn textures and colors.

As a beginner, a person should learn the process of making a pattern row and a single stitch crocheting. Here are some basic steps that will help a person learn how to make a crochet product.

1.  First, the person may need the use of crochet supplies like a size G crochet hook, small scissors, worsted-weight yarn with any colors, and a big-eyed yarn needle.

2.  He may start by holding the crochet hook in his right hand if he is right-handed. Then he may create a slipped knot on the hook.

3.  He may slide the hooked yarn to the slipknot of the hook. This process will create a continuous stitch or a chained like stitches. He will then proceed to bringing back the yarn on top of the hook making the thread go into the hook and grabbing the slip knot into the hook.

4.  He can pass on the first chain stitch allowing the knot to be properly hooked on the knot of the thread. This will allow the thread to be properly in place so that it will not loosen. A much tighter knot would be better to create a chain stitch.

5.  He may insert the hook to the hole of on the next chain stitch, and then slide the yarn passing through the center of the second chain stitch going to the upper part of the hook. He may have now created two loops on the hook of the threads.

6.  He may bring the yarn back on the hook from back to front and slide the knot in the center of the loops that he had created on the hook.

7.  From the second loop, create another one chain stitch to make a counter clock wise loop. This allows the hook to remain in the chain stitches. He may start again in creating the following rows, creating the same loops on the previous rows. 

8.  He may create a single crochet stitch in the first loop tightened going to the following loops of the previous rows. He must be exactly sure to create the hook on the last stitch to retain the stitches on their places.

To finish the work, he may cut the excess yarn on the skin. He must not forget to retain at least 6 inches of the thread on the last chain stitch. This will allow him to slide the hook up to the upper part of the loops and bringing the thread into the last loops of the hook. As a beginner, he may find it difficult to do especially on more detailed crochet products. He may start doing these basic steps to help him get used with the techniques.