Monday, October 29, 2007

DNA Project Started

As part of the preparations for next July's family gathering, we have started a DNA project, with Family Tree DNA, the pioneer and the world's largest DNA company in the new field of genetic genealogy.

Two kits have so far been purchased for:

  1. Stuart Charles Pask, representing the Pasks of Great Gonerby - Black-Icon Family Tree (Chart 1)

  2. John Henry Pask from Aldershot, representing the Pasks of Fulbeck: Turquoise-Icon Family Tree (Chart 22)

We have known John since 1982, and it is about time we proved we are related. We are also very keen for others to test who represent the Pask families from Suffolk, Lincolnshire, Monmouthshire, and Essex. The DNA test will help us identify whether these lines are connected, even though we do not have the documental evidence to prove it.

The Paternal DNA, passed from father to son, tests the Y-chromosome, which is only found in males and is useful in verifying common ancestry. The DNA test will be the very extensive 37 marker paternal test. A perfect match of 37 markers means that the two individuals matching shared a common ancestor in recent times.

It will also provide us with more information, like deep ancestral origins, matches with other individuals that share the same results, our recent ethnic origins, and FTDNATiP - the Time Predictor to the Most Recent Common Ancestor between the test takers.

The Family Tree DNA test kit consists of three cheek scrapers and three collection tubes--designed for a single persons use.

If you are interested in joining this project do contact us, and we will explain the technicalities, costs, and outcome.

This is truly an exciting milestone in the Pask, Paske One-Name Study and our 27 years of research.

Friday, October 26, 2007

Descendants of James Pask from Wickhambrook Suffolk

This information relates to Chart 31, the descendants of James Pask, (1797-1865), who was born in Wickhambrook, Suffolk.

This information relates to the green-icon tree - descendants of John & Mirabel Pask née Sparrow, born c1680 lived in Wickhambrook, Suffolk.

James Pask was born in 1797 in Wickhambrook. After extensive analysis, it has been determined that all other Wickhambrook Pasks are related to John & Mirabel Pask née Sparrow. James is likely to be the son of Thomas Pask, who died in Wickhambrook in 1815, at the age of 62. However, currently no marriage or other references to Thomas has been found. This is purely assumptive, and of course requires additional research.

Chart 31 will be merged with Chart 2 [green-icon] in the next website update.

Sunday, October 21, 2007

Website Update 21 October 2007

The website was updated today Sunday 21 October. This update is slightly different to previous. There are many changes, mainly in preparation for the next publication - Pasks of Wickhambrook Suffolk. This book will cover the descendants of John & Mirabel Pask née Sparrow. We hope to have the first draft ready for when we visit Suffolk during early November.

A full list of these recent changes to the narratives is available in the New or Changed Narratives section. There was a increase of 188 narratives, making a total of 6844 people.

Saturday, October 13, 2007

Back from Vacation

Our regular bloggers will have noticed that there has been no blogs for the past three weeks. We have just come back from a 3-week cruise on the Queen Elizabeth 2 (QE2).

We went from Southampton to Quebec, Halifax, Bar Harbour, Boston, and New York. Unfortunately the weather was not kind and we had a very rough crossing in the Atlantic both ways. We also experienced severe fog in Boston, and New York. We had to miss Rhode Island because the fog made it unsuitable to tender. On the way back we had to miss St. Johns, Newfoundland because of high winds and rough seas. Strangely enough on the last two days we had seas as smooth as a millpond.

Nevertheless, we did not let the weather spoil our enjoyment, or relaxation. The ship, food, ambiance, and staff were as usual excellent. The ship is like going home and we are made so welcome. We also met again some "old" friends, and made some new. Special thanks to Trish and Alan Foley, who were on our table. We look forward to continuing our friendship. Trish shares a common interest - need you ask - family history. We spent many an hour discussing family history and sources now available.

Of course during the trip, the One-Name Study was not neglected. A website update is imminent. Our focus this trip was the descendants of John & Mirabel Pask née Sparrow. A substantial number of lines have been updated, in preparation for the next Pask publication. All the ground work /research has been completed. Now it is just a case of formatting and compiling the book. We hope to have the first draft ready for when we visit Suffolk during early November.