Genealogical projects in Jurg贸w area
Jurg贸w and the rest of Spisz's area is area from which many people have emigrated to the other countries in the past. Now a lot of people especially in USA spent a lot of time to find their roots in home country. In many cases it is a Slovakia or Poland. Especially Zamagurie area is very interesting and from other site very difficult to do the research because this area was in several countries during the time when a lot of people emigrated. There is an DNA project started by Karen Melis where she want to collect DNA check result to help people find their roots. Below you can read more about it.
Zamagurie Region DNA Project
By Karen Melis
In 1999. our family joined Helene Cincebeaux and TAC Tours for the Zamagurie Homecoming Tour. The tour highlighted the people, culture, customs and the beauty of former Spis County in Slovakia and Poland. With an English speaking guide, we shared tear-ful reunions with relatives, visited our ancestral villages and churches and viewed actual church records in search of our deeper roots. But, the Zamagurie Homecoming Tour would turn out to be so much more than that! What started as the desire to know where my grandparents came flout and who my great-grandparents were grew to be more than an interest: a passion. To date. we have visited again and again with Helene, adding days and weeks before and after the regularly scheduled tour to continue , our research efforts. This past summer, I even went "local" for 30 days to immerse in the culture, language and conduct more genealogical research.
The Zamagurie Region consists of 26 villages located on both sides of the Polish/Slovak border in northern Spis County. A wonderful book entitled Zamagurze Spiskie : Spisske Zamagurie by Jan Budz with photos by Wojciech Smolak ISBN 83-912197-04 gives a descnption of each village shown on the map in both Polish and Slovak (all the villages included in the Zamagurie Region DNA project.) This is a difficult region to research as many of the Polish village records are available only in the actual parishes or church archives. Many of the Slovak village records have been microfilmed by the Latter Day Saints but only up to the early 1900's to respect the privacy of living individuals.
For over 10 years. I have been documenting my direct and collateral family lines building on the family relationships through the villages. By observation, one could describe not only who was related to whom, but also note patterns of births and marriages, see the effects of catastrophes and plagues in the villages and their recoveries, note how marriage partners came from "just over the mountain;" and how surnames migrated or stayed for generations in the Zamagurie Region. Thousands of hours have been spent resulting in a well researched database of over 12,000 people, 1,700 surnames. (excluding variants) and over 4,000 marriages. This database grows with each additional trip overseas, plus year-round work with professional genealogist Vlado Flak and efforts of fellow researchers.
In March 2007. the Zamagurle Region DNA Project for Former Spis County Eastern Slovakia and Poland Border Villages was launched. A Geographic DNA Project connects individuals who believe their direct line comes from a specific location.
What are the projct's goals? By providing a 2-4 generation pedigree chart, a project member's information will be cross checked against the private database of documented surnames and pedigrees. This can be very useful to confirm or add to one's genealogy research with the potential of linking to others researching common surnames. In addition, we hope to collect DNA samples for surnames specifically linked to the Zamagurie Region with the goal of identifying potential matches for project members. Establishing a DNA database to correlate with the data will enable a family historian to learn more about ancestral roots and family connections using the newest scientific techniques.
Who Can Patriciate? It is limited to those who can demonstrate an ancestral link to these villages. I believe members should have a reasonable chance of a match with another member as the project grows; but no guarantees of a match are made.
What does a DNA test involve? Several types of tests arc offered. In general, individuals wishing to study their direct paternal line (father's father's fathers. etc) will order a Y-DNA test kit. To study one's direct maternal line (mother's mother's mother's. etc) an individual will order an mTDNA. Either test is perfared by rubbing two cotton samples on the inside of the check for one minute and returning to a lab for analysis. No blood sample is required. We can provide assistance for selecting the appropriate test and test candidate.
Which testing service will be used? FamilyTree DNA was selected for the commercial testing and analysis. They are the largest commercial site for genealogy DNA testing. Visit their website at www.familytreedna.com to learn more about DNA projects, testing and privacy.
What's in it for me? Joining this project allows you to combine technology, documentation, experience and research, plus familiarity with surnames, migration patterns and records available for the Zamagurie Region. We cannot do your genealogy for you but we may be able to help! Your participation can help your research and help others learn more about their Slovak roots. Honor your ancestors by preserving more than just a memory.
Isn't DNA Testing expensive?It can be! The simplest tests can run from $99 to $129 per test. Combination tests are also available. However, depending upon the results you would like to obtain, this cost can be split among family members. Only one test is required. The Zamagurie Region Project is strictly a non-profit effort.
HOW can I learn more? Check out the website for more details and to contact me with questions. Information about the background, goals, news and results may be found on the project's website www.familytreedna.com/groups/zamagurie-region-dna-project/about/background
Also go to the FamilyTreeDNA website www.familytreedna.com and search their project list. We are classified as a Dual Geographic DNA Project under the letter 'Z'. For those without computer access. write me direct: Karen Melis, 7007 Forrest Trail Road, Butler, Pennsylvania 16002. I would be happy to answer any questions by e-mail at tmelis@zoominternet.net.
Villages in Slovakia:
The area located on the Slovak border side it called Spisske Zamagurie. These villages (using the Slovak spelling) include: Majere, Spisska Stara Ves, Matiasovce, Spisske Hanusovce, Velka and Mala Frankova, Habovka, Zalesie (formerly Gibelly), Jezersko, Relov, Cerveny Klastor, Lechnica, Haligovce, Velka Lesa. Velky Lipnik, Stranany and Lesnica. Also the neighbouring village of Vysne Ruzbachy. Note: the village of Osturna is an independent DNA project from the Zamagurie Region and is not included in this project.
Villages in Poland:
The area located on the Polish border side Is called Polski Spisz. These villages (using the Polish spelling) include: Jaworzyna Spiska, Jurgow, Rzepiska, Czarna Gora, Trybsz, Lapsze Wyzne, Lapszanka, Lapsze Nizne, Kacwin, Nowa Biala, Krempachy, Dursztyn, Frydman, Falsztyn, Niedzica and Lys nad Dunajcem. Also included in this project are neighboring former Galician villages Bialka Tatrzanska and Brzegi.
More information about this project can be found at: http://www.familytreedna.com/public/ZamagurieRegionDNAProject/.