DCollins
05-03-2009, 11:44 PM
Melungeon Conference Focuses on History and DNA Technology
History, genealogy, and the latest DNA technology will come together at
the first annual Melungeon Historical Society conference. The public is
invited to this event, which will be held on June 12 at the Hawkins
County Rescue Squad meeting room, 955 East McKinney Avenue, Rogersville,
Tennessee.
"For nearly two hundred years, writers and researchers have speculated
about the origins of the Melungeons," says Wayne Winkler, president of
MHS. "For the most part, the story of the Melungeons has been told
through myths and legends. The Melungeon Historical Society believes
that answers will be found through scholarly research."
Presentations at the MHS conference will begin at 10 a.m. and will cover
topics such as the origin and historical uses of the term "Melungeon,"
DNA research on Melungeon families, and other topics related to the
multi-ethnic people first documented in the Clinch River region in the
early 19th century. The use of DNA technology in genealogy will be
covered by Roberta Estes, founder of DNAExplain, a Michigan company that
analyzes and interprets individual DNA tests.
Other presenters include Jack Goins, Hawkins County Archivist and author
of "Melungeons and Other Pioneer Families;" Kathy Lyday-Lee, a professor
at Elon College who taught a course on Melungeons; and Kathy James, who
will present genealogical information on the Gibson and Collins families.
"This conference is of special interest to those who want to learn more
about the Melungeons," said Winkler, "but it is also designed to benefit
anyone interested in genealogy and especially in the use of DNA
technology to trace family lines."
The conference is free, but donations are suggested to help promote the
work of the Melungeon Historical Society.
Contact:
Wayne Winkler
(423) 439.6441
winklerw@etsu.edu
Cleland Thorpe
wisecova@yahoo.com
Don Collins
dcollins@capcollins.org
Penny Ferguson
pennyferguson@windstream.net
History, genealogy, and the latest DNA technology will come together at
the first annual Melungeon Historical Society conference. The public is
invited to this event, which will be held on June 12 at the Hawkins
County Rescue Squad meeting room, 955 East McKinney Avenue, Rogersville,
Tennessee.
"For nearly two hundred years, writers and researchers have speculated
about the origins of the Melungeons," says Wayne Winkler, president of
MHS. "For the most part, the story of the Melungeons has been told
through myths and legends. The Melungeon Historical Society believes
that answers will be found through scholarly research."
Presentations at the MHS conference will begin at 10 a.m. and will cover
topics such as the origin and historical uses of the term "Melungeon,"
DNA research on Melungeon families, and other topics related to the
multi-ethnic people first documented in the Clinch River region in the
early 19th century. The use of DNA technology in genealogy will be
covered by Roberta Estes, founder of DNAExplain, a Michigan company that
analyzes and interprets individual DNA tests.
Other presenters include Jack Goins, Hawkins County Archivist and author
of "Melungeons and Other Pioneer Families;" Kathy Lyday-Lee, a professor
at Elon College who taught a course on Melungeons; and Kathy James, who
will present genealogical information on the Gibson and Collins families.
"This conference is of special interest to those who want to learn more
about the Melungeons," said Winkler, "but it is also designed to benefit
anyone interested in genealogy and especially in the use of DNA
technology to trace family lines."
The conference is free, but donations are suggested to help promote the
work of the Melungeon Historical Society.
Contact:
Wayne Winkler
(423) 439.6441
winklerw@etsu.edu
Cleland Thorpe
wisecova@yahoo.com
Don Collins
dcollins@capcollins.org
Penny Ferguson
pennyferguson@windstream.net