The Bainbridge Island Genealogical Society (BIGS) is bringing Stephen P. Morse to local genealogists.  Morse, creator of the One-Step Website at www.stevemorse.org, has received many awards for the One-Step Website, including the Award of Merit from the National Genealogical Society, and the Excellence Award from the Association of Professional Genealogists.

On Friday, May 15, Morse will be giving two presentations for BIGS at the Bainbridge Island Library, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.  The first, From DNA To Genetic Genealogy:  Everything You Wanted To Know But Were Afraid To Ask, introduces genes, chromosomes, and DNA, and goes on to show how DNA is inherited.  That knowledge of inheritance can be used for finding relatives you didn’t know you had, learning about your very distant ancestors and the route they traveled, and determining if you are a Jewish high priest (Kohan).  Examples presented include Genghis Khan’s legacy, the Thomas Jefferson affair, and the Anastasia mystery.

The second presentation is entitled Genealogy Beyond The Y Chromosome:  Autosomes Exposed.  Classical genetic genealogy deals with the Y chromosome and the mitochondrial DNA.  The Y chromosome test is for males only and traces the direct male lineage.  The mitochondrial DNA test is for everybody and traces the direct female lineage.   Recent advances in genetic genealogy make it possible to trace all lineages by testing the autosomes.  Although the autosomes can be used to find ethnic mixes as well as recent cousins, it has some limitations.

Among his accomplishments Morse is a computer professional with a doctorate in electrical engineering and is known in that field as architect of the Intel 8086 chip, which sparked the PC revolution.  

For more information and updates on lectures offered in the months ahead, check the website of the Bainbridge Island Genealogical Society at www.bigenealogy.org.  Meetings are free to members; a $5.00 donation is suggested for nonmembers.  BIGS is a 501c(3) non-profit organization.