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How I Write a Blog Post

Image: Rawpixel   A very kind Leaves on the Tree subscriber suggested to me earlier this year that my readers might like to know my process for writing a blog post. So, Donna, this one's for you! Where I Get Ideas Most of my blog post ideas spring from my research. I might come across a really great document, such as the letter I found in a probate file which I wrote about last week . Or I make an important discovery or just want to document some aspect of my research process, a particular methodology, or a resource that I've used, like the WWII Alien Registrations databas e I discovered on Ancestry. Here are a few examples of other post inspirations: Holidays —For the past few years, I've done four Christmas related posts in December, as I have several family stories , memories , or heirlooms that I wish to share. Courses or classes —I love to learn about new methodologies, record sets, etc., so I often take classes or courses. Writing helps me process what I've lear...
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DOUBLE TAKE

I am participating in 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks, a writing challenge encouraging genealogy researchers to write about their ancestors. The challenge is hosted by genealogist, blogger and podcaster Amy Johnson Crow.

 Here's my post for Amy's Week Fifteen prompt: DNA

By Nancy Gilbride Casey

One of the wonders of this DNA we share with members of our families are the strong resemblances that sometimes occur among different generations. I've done a double take or two looking at family photos, amazed at how much a person can look like one—or even several—ancestors at one time or another throughout their life.

Here are some family photos, where the resemblances, buried deep in the family DNA, are evident.

Daughter Anne and her Dad, Jim Casey share 50% of their DNA in common. And it shows! From the turned up nose to the laughing eyes, even the hair color - an amazing resemblance.
Some family resemblances skip a generation or two. Sharing roughly 12.5% DNA in common, son James, right, shares similar hairline, eye and eyebrows as his great grandfather, Harold Edwin Casey, left.
We're lucky to have located photos of seven generations of Casey men to compare. Above, from left to right, Stephen Casey (photo, collection of T. Crow), Thomas Benton Casey, Stephen Henry Casey & Harold Edwin Casey. 
The Casey line and similarities continue with James Casey, Sr., husband James Casey, Jr. and son James Q. Casey. Although separated by several generations, and sharing only about 6.25% DNA in common, my husband (center), bears a good resemblance to his 2x great grandfather Thomas Benton Casey (above 2nd from left), particularly in the forehead, hairline and cheekbones.

On the other hand, while each person inherits 50% of their DNA from each parent - which 50% may differ among siblings. This accounts for why, while some siblings can look remarkably alike, some siblings can also look strikingly different. It's all part of this fascinating genetic puzzle in which we are all pieces.

Although each child inherits 50% of their DNA from each parent, which 50% can be radically different. In this family photo taken in the late 1980s show me (lower right), with my Dad and three siblings, who range from tall (Joe, over 6 feet) to short (me 5' 3"), and with a range of hair colors (Joe and I are blondes, Tim and Sharon, brunettes) and eye colors (Tim and Sharon - blue, Joe - brown, me - green).

How much DNA do you share with your relatives? View this handy chart from the blog Famlii, to see.

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 Until next time...
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