Minority Scholarships & Knowing Your Heritage

You may wonder why some people to great lengths to know their genealogy. Some just find it interesting – knowing where you “came from” brings much security and peace. Others want to know what traditions and stories to pass along down the family line as new children are born and grown children get married. But for others, and especially families with a senior whose eyes are focused on graduating in May, there may be some scholarship opportunities if your family is considered minority in some way.

Undergraduate Scholarships

In the realm of scholarships, and particularly undergraduate scholarships, there are literally thousands of scholarships offered to those based on varying life circumstances. Sports and athletic scholarships are the obvious ones. But you can also get a scholarship for having survived cancer, writing a great essay, your parent’s employment, being tall (seriously – check out the “Tall Club” scholarship) and even the race that you and your family descend from.

Minority Scholarships

Many scholarship programs exist for minority students. Both financial aid and grant programs are available for students who meet the qualifications of each scholarship program. Some programs require full-blood of a minority race, but others require some sort of proof of descent. Below are some of the most common scholarship programs for minorities. Even if you don’t fit one of these main areas, there is more than likely a scholarship designed just for you based on your family history or situation. Continue to search through scholarship databases to find scholarships you may qualify for.

African-American Scholarships

There are hundreds of scholarships for black students. Not only are there African-American scholarships, but there are also programs designed specifically for Black History Month. This website lists the top scholarships for black students in 2012.

Native American Scholarships

According to Scholarships.com, Native Americans are one of the “most underrepresented groups both in college and in the degree-holding population.” Because of this, several American Indian scholarships apply. Qualifications for these scholarships will vary; some require a card-carrying tribe member, others may require one-quarter Indian blood or federal recognition. Native Americans may also qualify for general minority scholarships, academic and sports scholarships, and even programs if the student is the first generation to enroll in an undergraduate program. Learn more about scholarships for Native Americans.

Scholarships for Hispanics

Hispanic scholarship programs vary in requirements and amounts. Some offer funds for any individual with Hispanic descent, others are country-specific (for example Cuban Americans.) There are many programs out there for individuals who qualify and can prove Hispanic descent. Review a list of scholarships for Hispanics here.

Proving Your Race through Ancestry DNA Testing

If you’re not sure about your race, or looking for a way to provide proof that you’re a descent of a particular people group, we can run an ancestry DNA test to fill in the pieces and provide proof of the DNA you carry. This is great for families looking for scholarships for their students, as well as individuals who’ve always wondered where they came from.

Ideas for Announcing You’re Pregnant with Twins

If being pregnant wasn’t exciting enough – finding out your pregnant with TWINS is even more thrilling. Not just for you, but for everyone you know. There’s something about having TWO on the way that is fun – at least for everyone else not carrying them in the womb, that is. From finding out there are two heartbeats, to even finding out if they are identical or fraternal twins – there’s something about multiples that is so exciting.

If you’ve found out your pregnant with twins, there are some creative ways to make this announcement. Here are a few ideas we’ve come across. Have a little fun with it – or should we say double your fun.

1. Hand Out Doublemint Gum.

You could just hand it out, use it as a stocking stuffer (or Easter basket if it’s spring), or use it as a centerpiece. There are many creative ways to weave it in. It will be a good icebreaker when people ask, “What’s up with the gum?”

2. Use your Holiday Cards.

Holiday cards offer a great way to update your friends and family on the news! Be creative and find a way to hit that you have not one .. but two … babies on the way. Above is a photo idea one Shutterfly user submitted to their card contest. Another idea includes taking a picture of your feet, with two pairs of empty shoes next to yours. Or, take a photo of two small stockings hanging on your mantle.

3. Double-Up.

Depending on the season, you can find unique ways to “double-up” on things. Make it fun. Host a meal, and have two dishes of everything (two hams, two mac & cheese dishes, two desserts… etc.) Or, send emails to your closest friends twice – the same email, just two times. Or, if you arrive somewhere, try to double-up your attire. Wear two scarves, two different earrings, two shirts, etc.

You could wear a cool t-shirt like this one from CafePress.com

4. Wear A T-Shirt.

T-shirts are always fun, and can be really playful. Sites like CafePress.com offer some great choices, depending on how you want to break the news. The above shirt is a pretty cool way – for a dad or a mom – to announce twins are on the way!

5. Twinkies.

Last but not least – use everyone’s favorite Hostess snack to share with the world you’ve got not one but TWO kids on the way. Bring them as snacks, host a Twinkie party, post a picture on your FB wall… you can do a lot with these.

Those are just a few of the fun ways to announce your pregnant with twins. Let us know if you have any more!

Are You Related to the Pilgrims?

In just a few days, we’ll all sit down and feast on turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing – the works. We’ll reflect on our gratitude, not only for things we have now, but for the journey others took to get us here. Being near the New England area on Thanksgiving always makes my mind wander. I know the Pilgrims landed near the Boston area, and that they passed along ancestry lines that are still running today. And sometimes I can’t help but wonder – am I related to one of the pilgrims? Or do I know someone who is?

Searching Ancestry of the Pilgrims

Just a little background on the Pilgrims – they’re not the same as the Puritans. They were both from England, but the Pilgrims settled in Plymouth Colony around 1620 for the purpose of religious freedom. They wanted to be separate from the church of England. When they came over, they made friends with the Native Americans – and Squanto in particular. They were weak and diseased, after surviving a brutal New England winter while remaining on the ship; many of them passed away. For those who survived, they got off the ship in the springtime and began learning from the Indians. A year later, they had much food and feasting, and held the first Thanksgiving in 1621.

The Pilgrims are to thank for much of our democracy, and for setting one of the only examples of making peace with the Indians. With such a remarkable impact they made on our country, it’s only natural to want to find genealogical ties to them. And especially when it seems like it’s within reach!

Pilgrim Surnames

When we are performing genealogy testing of DNA, we often see people with the same last name wanting to confirm relation. It’s a good place to start if you’re looking for confirmation of your ancestry (or even trying to figure out what blood lines are running through you.) If you’re determined to find out if you’re related to a Pilgrim, there are a few places to start. One easy one is to look at the common last names of Pilgrim families and see if any of these run through your family lines:  Alden, Allerton, Billington, Bradford, Brewster, Browne, Chilton, Cooke, Doty, Eaton, Fletcher, Fuller, Hopkins, Howland, More, Mullins, Priest, Rogers, Sameson, Soule, Standish, Tilley, Warren, White, and Winslow. (Source)

While having one of these last names in your family tree doesn’t guarantee relation, it’s a good sign that you have someone with English blood that’s part of your makeup. To start sorting out your ancestry, start with you and then take it back one generation at a time. You’ll find as you trace back – even sometimes 14 generations worth – you’ll get some of the answers you’re looking for.

How Can I Find Out if I’m Related to a Pilgrim?

The best way to find out if you’re ancestors were on the Mayflower is to start doing your research. A few great sites offer some help:

Mayflower Families – a website with a directory of Pilgrim AND Native American family lines that date back to Plymouth Rock in the 1600s

Mayflower Genealogy – a complete list of passengers and their descendents

And last but not least, find a website like ancestry.org, myheritage.com, etc. to get started on your ancestry research!

Bieber Fever and a Paternity Test

Anyone else caught up on the E! news gossip of the week? If not – here’s a short synopsis (no, we’re not even going to mention Kardashian – we’re focused on Bieber and the paternity test this week…)

Headlines read Bieber's been accused of paternity

Apparently, a 20-year-old woman is alleging that Justin Bieber is her young son’s father. She says that the two met backstage at  concert in LA, and as a result she now has a 3-month old son, Tristyn. Bieber is stating these allegations are false – saying he never met this woman. (Seems like reporters have dug up enough interviews with the accuser to validate Bieber’s claims.) It was even reported that he seemed calm and collected about the whole thing while in Europe and Ireland, while performing with gal pal Selena Gomez. To show just how calm and collected his is regarding the allegations, he’s agreed to take a paternity test once he’s home from Europe.

Paternity Testing And The Media

This isn’t the first time a celeb has been accused of being a baby-daddy, and taken a paternity test to prove accusations were false. He’s in the company of Ashton Kutcher, Tiger Woods, Keanu Reeves and more who’ve had false accusations of paternity placed on them. However, this is one of the first ones to pop up about young teen sensation, Bieber.

While it may not always be easy to relate to the lifestyles of celebrities, paternity tests are one way to bring us back to the reality that celebs are indeed just like us. They sometimes have to jump through some of same hoops and questions the rest of us do. I see many clients in my lab for paternity testing in the same spot as Justin Bieber – he’s been named the baby’s daddy, she’s adamant that it’s him – he’s adamant that it’s not. The only way to find out? DNA paternity testing.

Advice for Justin Bieber and the Paternity Test

As a Worcester lab that performs frequent DNA paternity tests, if we could tell Justin Bieber a few pieces of advice, the would be to go through with the plan to get a DNA test to prove his “innocence.” Get a court-admissible DNA test so that if any further legal action brews from this, the test may be used in the courts. And to always remember the lesson that this is teaching – there’s always a way to find out the absolute truth when it comes to paternity and DNA.

What is “Court Admissible DNA Testing?”

You’ve heard of DNA testing. You’ve heard of paternity testing. But unclear of “Court Admissible testing?” Read on…

If you'll need to use your lab results in court - get a court admissible test!

What is a “Court Admissible” test?

When you have a “court admissible” test performed, the lab results can be used as evidence in court. As an independent lab trained in court admissible testing, we handle collecting data and providing results to ensure the test results may be used in legal matters. The test itself has passed legally required guidelines and can be used in court cases and D.S.S hearings.

What’s involved in a “court admissible” test?

By having a test approved to be “court admissible,” we follow the following requirements:

• Testing takes place in a third-party office (in our case, our Worcester lab)
• All adults show valid ID and proof of SSN
• Photos are taken of those being tested
• We use “chain of custody” documentation – meaning we take a chronological and logical approach to carefully filling out paperwork

Why a court admissible test?

A court admissible test isn’t only needed for your legal matters – but may also become important for your wallet, too. Legally, a court will accept lab work as evidence if it’s been performed through the correct procedure. Sometimes in a case when paternity is at question, an “at-home” kit may be purchased and the paternity test performed. While this may or may not give the answers when it comes to paternity – if the courts get involved, they won’t always accept the at-home test as legal evidence. You’ll end up having to get a “court admissible” test from an independent lab, paying double in the long run.

More often than not, a court admissible paternity test is needed to prove paternity so that an order for child support can be served. In order to prove paternity in the courts, a court admissible test is needed.While paternity is the most common reason a court-admissible test is needed, here are some other cases when a court permissible test may be used:

• Immigration issues
• Adoption issues
• Claim social security and insurance benefits
• Claim custody
• Confirming identity of newborns upon hospital error

Learn more about getting a court-admissible test in Worcester, MA.

Learn more about standards for court-admissible testing.

Why Get a Paternity Test?

In our lab, we see the importance of paternity testing each day. We’ve worked with hundreds of men searching for definitive answers when it comes to paternity. As a lab that specializes in DNA paternity tests, we see that 33% of all paternity tests are negative – the man is not the father. The outcome of a paternity test carries several implications for both the man and the child…

Are you the father? It's important to find out...

There are two sides to the story – and two main individuals who need you to get a paternity test – you and the child. Below we’ve listed some legal/social reasons to have a paternity test, but we also mention that there are huge emotional advantages for fathers and children when a paternity test is completed, too.

Paternity Testing – For The Dads

If you’re uncertain of if a child is biologically yours, it’s critical that you get a paternity test. Paternity tests will prove that you are (or you aren’t) the father. In every state, parents are required to support their children and provide for their needs. Marital status doesn’t matter when it comes to parental role and responsibility to children. In most states, parents are required to:

• Support the child (or pay child support)
• Pay for health care costs
• Possibly pay for child care costs

If you’re the suspected father, yet do not have proof, you may be looked to for responsibilities that aren’t yours. Consider paternity testing to find out your legal responsibilities to a child.

Paternity Testing – For The Child

Not only is paternity testing beneficial for the fathers, but it also helps the children. In a culture where medical histories and family lines are becoming even more important – finding out if you’re a child’s biological father is crucial for that child. By taking a paternity test, you’ll:

• Provide the child answers with medical history
• Ensure your biological children receive proper social and legal benefits
• Line up proper inheritances if the child is yours (like veteran’s and inheritance funds)

Paternity Testing in Worcester, MA

If you’re in the Worcester, MA area and need a paternity test or court admissible DNA test, contact us. Our walk-in labs are clean, efficient and will quickly provide you with the answers you need.

Donor Children Seek Answers | DNA Tests

I recently stumbled upon this remarkable story about a woman searching for her father. However, this wasn’t just any case of a “Who’s my Dad” search. This woman was a child conceived by sperm donation (termed donor conceived), and she’s since jumped through hoops, performed hours upon hours of research, and completed almost twenty DNA tests to try to identify her biological child. And apparently, she’s not alone. There’s a growing group of people out there considered “donor conceived” looking for answers, searching for ties to their biological families.

Anonymousus.org is a safe place for donor children to connect

Donor Children Seek Answers

It’s pretty common these days for families who undergo adoption to seek an open adoption arrangement. There are benefits for both families, with the ultimate benefit being the child knows who their biological parents are and their genealogy. Children born from donors have no idea, however. And as a growing number of children reach adulthood, they will continue demanding answers about their rights to paternity information.

Donor Rights in Other States, Countries

In America, the courts continue to go back and forth about sperm and egg donor rights. Many other countries have regulated pathways where children have rights to this information. Some states in the US have required that donor information be released to donor children when they become legal adults, however those options are easily opted-out of and avoided. Many donors don’t want their identified revealed for a number of reasons, although the woman in the article mentioned that several men have been willing to undergo paternity DNA testing to see if she was a biological daughter of theirs. She’s currently completed 18 DNA paternity tests, although still not found any luck in finding her biological father.

Read more from a Newsweek story about the movement from donor conceived children.

DNA Testing Provides Some Answers, Despite Paternity Questions

As resulted in this woman’s case, as well as many other donor children who undergo DNA testing to discover genealogy – at least some answers are being found. This women learned though DNA testing that her paternal roots are Ashkenazi Jew, from Eastern Europe. She’s finding a link to her history, and hoping this will eventually lead her to find her biological dad.

Learn more about Donor Conceived Children:

Anonymousus.org – A website designed by a donor conceived individual to provide a safe place for those longing for unanswered questions.

Free Sperm Donor Registry – Sites like this offer ways for donors and children to connect.