Michael W. McCormick, Accredited Genealogist

03/06/2026

Playing in the ball pit with my mom during our yearly trip to the largest worldwide genealogy conference. The colored balls have questions to ask about your friend’s memories and heritage. One of my memories is my mom’s selfless and silly personality. This moment was a great chance to share that silly energy. Thanks mom!

01/24/2026

Genealogy is an altruistic hobby when done right. You might share your scans of old family photos, and your best research work online for free in the hope that it helps someone else and promotes connection. The more involved you get the more you give back to the community. You might transcribe old documents at first, and then perhaps start volunteering at a genealogy society. You might convince a local organization to let you help digitize their records, or perhaps organize a genealogy lecture.

My terms on the boards of two global genealogy associations ended with 2025. I let my service end at one and was re-elected to the other for a 3-year term. I’ll be even more involved having been appointed president elect. Check it out at Association of Genealogy Educators and Schools.

In 2025 I took over administration of the McCormick/McCormack Y-DNA project at FamilyTreeDNA, focusing on recruiting more testers. We issued kits to over 75 McCormick males already and have big plans for 2026. If you know any McCormick/McCormack males send them my way.

04/17/2025

Does your surname qualify for free DNA testing? The International Society of Genetic Genealogy has a list of surnames qualifying for free DNA kits. For example, men with these surnames I am researching qualify: McCormick, Calamaco, Dunkes, Grauling, and Severns.
https://isogg.org/wiki/Free_DNA_tests
Another good way to find funding is through joining groups on FamilyTreeDNA. https://www.familytreedna.com/group-project

Free DNA tests are sometimes available to encourage participation in surname projects. Offers are usually restricted to Y-DNA tests with sponsorship being provided by the relevant surname project. Some projects will underwrite the entire cost of a DNA test. Other projects will contribute towards the...

03/17/2025

Happy
St. Patrick’s Day ☘️

Try Y-DNA to connect with your clan.