Abstract:
Improved methods of genealogical research utilize databases with fields that more uniquely identify individuals and relationships for the purpose of tracing and identifying ancestors or living relations. In selected embodiments, the fields represent genetic markers on the mitochondrial DNA and biographic or historical data useful in tracing matriarchal heritage. In other embodiments, the fields represent ownership records or conveyances of property between related or unrelated individuals. In other aspects of the invention methods of searching account for the evolution of geographic and political divisions in searching genealogical database, as well as the alternative spelling of names and nickname.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]     The present application claims priority to the U.S. provisional application having Ser. No. 60/741,827 entitled “Data Structures and Methods for Genealogical Research”, filed on Dec. 2, 2005, which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF INVENTION  
       [0002]     This invention relates to the organization, processing and searching of genealogical data. Particularly, this invention relates to improvements to the storage and retrieval of genealogy information, includes methods of inputting and using information from historical data and/or genetic characteristics derived from DNA testing to expand the search capabilities for genealogists.  
         [0003]     The research into genealogical records is a popular hobby, as well as legal research to find un-named heirs.  
         [0004]     Today&#39;s worldwide genealogy data records environment can be summarized in general terms as comprising hundreds of millions of relatively large public record sets in non-lineage-linked format, mostly on paper or microfilm, plus proportionately much smaller collections of lineage-linked names, mostly held by individual persons. The smaller collections are increasingly in digital and computer readable format. These smaller collections of relatives&#39; names are generally derived in part for family non-public records, plus extracts from any number of larger public record sets. There are huge national collections of records, such as the U.S. censuses, that may contain hundreds of millions of names. Other national records include census, social security, military and Emigration, immigration and naturalization records, including Passports. At the state level, there are the usual birth; marriage; death; Tax; Voter registration; Wills and probate records. At the local or county level, one might find Land and homestead records/deeds, burial, and court records. Other useful personal or commercial records might include, without limit: Adoption records; Baptism or christening records; Biographies and biographical profiles (as in Who&#39;s Who, etc.); Cemetery records and tombstones; City directories and telephone directories; Daughters of the American Revolution records; Diaries, personal letters and family Bibles; Marriage and divorce records; Medical records; Newspaper columns; Obituaries; Occupational records; Oral history; Photographs; School and alumni association records; and Ship passenger lists.  
         [0005]     However, many genealogical researchers eventually reach a limit of tracing their family history or connections that leave them unsatisfied, wishing to delve further back in their family history, discover living relatives, or determine if they are related to a particular living or deceased individual.  
         [0006]     The success of the researcher meeting their objective is highly dependent on the ancestry/ethnicity of the subjects, as well as their ancestor&#39;s geographic dispersion. Success is also dependent on existence, or lack thereof, of extant records that have been passed through multiple generations. For example, an individual whose ancestors were held in peony, i.e. as slaves, will have a very difficult time tracing their ancestry due to a lack of available records.  
         [0007]     A greater problem for the genealogical researcher using computerized databases, or programs that can link to and abstract data from computerized records, is the inconsistency and errors in these records. Another problem that frustrates the researcher in meeting their objective is differences in spelling of names, as might change fashion through generations, or ancestors being called by their nickname or abbreviated name in some records that contemporaneously record information about the same person.  
         [0008]     Although genetic markers in DNA are a successful tool in the scientific research of population genetics, the application of this tool to the genealogist has been limited.  
       SUMMARY OF INVENTION  
       [0009]     In the present invention, the first object is to extend the capability for computerized genealogical research.  
         [0010]     Another object of the invention is to enable the identification of living kin related through a maternal line.  
         [0011]     Another object of the invention is to enables the identification of living kin related through a paternal line.  
         [0012]     The above and other objects of the invention are met by providing data structure and graphic users interface for accessing and searching such databases that force the consistent entry of data.  
         [0013]     Other aspects of the invention are met by providing a search capability that accounts for the historical variation of geographic regions, territories, districts, counties, provinces, states or political boundaries.  
         [0014]     Other aspects of the invention are met by providing a search capability that accounts for genetic markers of the named person&#39;s mitochondrial DNA and the names of matriarchal ancestors and their siblings.  
         [0015]     Other aspects of the invention are met by providing a search capability that accounts for genetic markers of the named person&#39;s DNA and the names of paternal ancestors and their siblings.  
         [0016]     Other aspects of the invention are met by providing a search capability that accounts for the name of the person conveyed in a slave or related transaction at least one of a date and a geographic or jurisdictional designation associated with the transaction, including emancipation.  
         [0017]     Other aspects of the invention are met by providing a search capability that accounts for multiple alternative names or spellings of the first or last name of a living person or ancestor.  
         [0018]     The above and other objects, effects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description of the embodiments thereof taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS  
       [0019]      FIG. 1  is an illustration of an exemplary graphic user interface that implements multiple embodiments of the invention.  
         [0020]      FIG. 2  is example of the data fields found and associated in an expanding geographic designation data structure.  
         [0021]      FIG. 3  is a family tree to illustrate the application of a data structure and search algorithm that utilizes mtDNA.  
         [0022]      FIG. 4  is a family tree to illustrate the application of a data structure and search algorithm that utilizes DNA on the Y-chromosome.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0023]     In accordance with the present invention,  FIG. 1  is a graphic user interface (GUI)  100  for the computer implementation of various embodiments of the invention. The GUI contains imputer fields via drop down menus for entering or searching data, as well as navigation buttons for moving to or displaying related GUI&#39;s and radio buttons for entering data. The GUI may be used to search a local computer, a server or a plurality of computers and databases, such as might be available over the internet or other data communication networks.  
         [0024]     A researcher that builds or contributes to the database by abstracting information from paper historical records, newspaper accounts and the like might also use such a GUI. In the most preferred implementation of the invention, the combined elements of each embodiment would be available to the genealogical researcher. Many researchers are in fact building the database by contributing information on the search subject, that the point of backward tracing to find ancestors, as well as information known by the individual of living or recently deceased kin, such a parent or grandparent.  
         [0025]     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , a top navigation bar region  105  contains a plurality of buttons that either provide instructions to the users (i.e. HELPS AND TIPS), or switch the mode of operation or function (HOME PAGE, NEW LINE, SEARCH and MEMORIZED SEARCHES). The next set of control buttons are arranged in row  110 , for “FATHER” and “MOTHER” allowing the researcher to enter information about either parent of the subject being described or characterized with the remaining input fields on the pages, that is those arranged in rows labeled  120 ,  130 ,  140  and  150 . It should be appreciated that the GUI  110  is only exemplary as a different layout or multiple GUI pages could be used to enter the same information.  
         [0026]     Row  120  has a plurality of drop down list boxes for entering data in a name field of the person being identified or described in GUI  100 . Name field have drop-down menus that limit responses to exact spelling, or the opportunity to state that particular information is unknown. A name field in any database described herein may be a field for a first name field, a surname or last name, a middle name and a nickname and/or any combination of the aforementioned. As the same individual might be known by multiple first names, or first names of slightly different spellings a plurality of drop down list boxes are arrayed for example in entering up to four alternative first names. A nickname may be entered as well of, or in place of a more formal first name using drop down list box  125 . At least one drop down list box  126  is also provided for entering a surname  126 . The plural first name drop down lists, that is the first, second, third and fourth name buttons are provided to enter into a data structure for searching a first name field for the subject, a last name field for the subject, and a secondary first name field for the subject. The secondary name field for a subject contains a data record that is a variant of the data record in the primary first name field for the subject. The secondary name fields are structured as drop down lists to force the user to consider and implement known alternative spellings, as well as to enter more conventional spellings, thus preventing the entry of spurious information through keyboard entry errors. This embodiment of the invention improves genealogical searching by enforcing a consistency of data input, yet allows for flexibility in that oral traditions may vary from older extant records. Thus, this database maintains a data structure of alternative names and spellings, as well as nicknames that might be used. When the user selects or starts to spell a name the alternative become available in the drop-down menu fields.  
         [0027]     Another embodiment of the invention to improve genealogical searching is to expand the options for selecting names in the drop down lists described above. Such a method might be available to the individual researcher as well as a system/database administrator. The first step in the method is to generate input fields in a GUI (graphic user interface) to receive a first name not in an existing drop down list box or button, the next step is to type or otherwise enter the letters/characters of the first name, which is then received in the database. The next step in the process is for the computer to check the spelling of first name against a database of primary and secondary first names, then if the proposed name is not found in the existing database, the computer software is operative to generate input fields in the GUI for at least one of expanding the secondary names in the database, adding a first name record to the database and selecting a primary name in the database. If there is an exact match with either the primary or the secondary names then the GUI prompts the user to select this name. If there is not an exact match, the user has the option of adding a new name to the list in the drop-down list. If known, the individual&#39;s race is optionally entered in drop down list  160 .  
         [0028]     Row  130  includes a plurality of input interfaces to characterize the date and location of the subject&#39;s birth. Row  130  is subdivided into a series of drop down list  138  to optionally enter the birth location as either a country, state, county, or other political subdivision.  
         [0029]     Date input fields allow for the entry of an exact day, via separate drop down list buttons for the day, month and year. Alternatively, when there is less certainly, only the year need be entered. Database field for dates permits an exact date or an approximate date, thus accounting for the possibility of a two-year error arising from the inaccuracy of recording and reporting ten-year census records in the U.S.A. The entry of the year may be selected as either exact (such as might be found on a birth certificate) or approximate (such as might apply to a census record) by clicking on a radio style button such as  133   a  for birth year  133 . Likewise, the entry of the year of death may be selected as either exact or proximate by clicking on a radio style button  143   a  for characterizing the death year by button  143 . Alternatively, using buttons  134 , a range of birth years may be specified. Using buttons  144 , a range of the year of death may be specified.  
         [0030]     Row  140  includes a plurality of input interfaces to characterize the date and location of the subject&#39;s death, if it has occurred. Row  140  is subdivided into a series of drop down lists  148  to optionally enter the death location as either a country, state or county or other political subdivision.  
         [0031]     Row  150  includes a plurality of input interfaces to characterize what may be known about the residence or domicile of the subject during their lifetime. Row  150  is subdivided into a series of drop down lists  170  to optionally enter the location of residence as either or a country, state or county or other political subdivision. Row  150  is further subdivided into a series of input fields  180  to enter the date range of residence for the subject.  
         [0032]     Another embodiment of the invention to improve genealogical searching is a branched geographic database. Geographic designations or indicators include country and any political or judicial subdivisions therewith (i.e. state, commonwealth, county, parish, as well as any chancery, probate or district court).  
         [0033]     The geographic names of regions and places typically changes over time. Historical documents typically reflect the correct name for the place at the time the record or document was created. Thus for example, the same individual if born in a town in the Commonwealth of Virginia that eventually became part of the State of West Virginia might have on their birth certificate the place of birth as Virginia, but West Virginia recorded as the place of birth in the death certificate if they were born and died in the same location. However, a sibling born in the same location while it was still Virginia might have Virginia listed on their death certificate as the place of birth, if they died in another state, their living kin having record the verbal record they relied upon that their parent or grandparent was born in Virginia. Accordingly, it is unlikely that a researcher would realize the first example is the same person, or that the first example and second example are siblings. Accordingly, in a preferred embodiment of the invention when a researcher enters the subjects name, date of birth/death (or date range) along with the location of this life cycle event the search algorithm would take into account that during the subject time period entered in the date search field the geographic description of the life cycle event would have an alternative and equally valid description. The search algorithm would be generated to include this alternative by look up in a data structure having fields for a first geographic designation, a second geographic designation, at least one date and at least one alternative geographic description. After look up from this data structure the actual search for the individual would be based on matching to a data structure representing the individual that includes data fields for at least the first or last name of the subject, the subjects primary geographic designation and the subjects secondary geographic designation derived from the subjects primary geographic designation based on a prior history.  
         [0034]     The relationship of the fields in portions of this database is shown in  FIG. 2  as a series of interrelated data fields  200 . The database has a least one record field  210  for a primary geographic name, such as that might be matched with the user&#39;s entry in drop down lists  138 ,  148  and  170  in the GUI  100  of  FIG. 1 . The data structure then has at least one date related field  215  which contains data representing when at least a portion of the geographic region in field  210  was known by a different, that is a secondary name, in field location  230 . Optionally the data structure contains alternative fields such as  220  that might represent a different date when the geographic region in field  210  was known by a tertiary name.  
         [0035]     Another embodiment of the invention to improve genealogical searching utilizing information derived from mitochondrial (mt)DNA. As mtDNA is inherited only through the mother, persons related by a common ancestor in the line of mother-grandmother-great grandmother-great great grandmother etc. will share the same mtDNA.  
         [0036]     With respect to genealogical research, mtDNA and DNA are characterized by many unique regions not associated with protein synthesis, regulation and gene expression but known to uniquely vary between individuals. Each such particular region is called a marker. Each marker may have one or more characteristics values, representing a specific sequence of nucleotides in the genome at a particular location. Individuals have a greater probability of being related if more or all of the known genetic markers have the same value. Once a person has characterized their own mtDNA, they can add to a searchable database using, among other information, the name or identity of each marker and the value of the marker for each named relation they know of in their maternal line. Thus, research to find or identify siblings of ancestors in the subject&#39;s maternal line, and possibly living relatives descended maternally from these ancestors, can be accomplished by searching a common database, wherein a large number of individuals have entered parameters of their own mtDNA markers, which would then be attributed to the known ancestors in their maternal line.  
         [0037]     Such a database would contain data fields for the subject&#39;s name, a plurality of genetic markers of the named person, a value associated with each genetic marker, the name of a matriarchal ancestor of the subject. In preferred embodiments, the data structure and search algorithm generated therefrom will also include data fields linking multiple named subjects and the relationships. In more preferred embodiments, the data structure and search algorithm generated therefrom will also include data fields for adding the name of female siblings of the maternal line, as descendents of female siblings, be they male or female, would inherit largely the same mtDNA (other than for mutations that are known to occur a very low frequency over tens or hundreds of generations). This principle is illustrated schematically in  FIG. 3  as a theoretical abstract of a portion of a database showing the male (F for father) and female (M for Mother) parent at each generation and their offspring that would have the common mtDNA markers. Although the mtDNA passes to both male and female offspring only the female offsprings are shown at each generation level. This is because only the female is capable of passing the mtDNA to the next generation. At the bottom, or living generation, are two research subjects R 1  and R 2  that have a match of mtDNA markers. R 1  has built a multi-generation linked family tree  301  from a variety of records before using mtDNA data, shown by a solid bold line linking parents to children. Family tree  301  extends from the common maternal ancestor, M eve , to R 1 . However, R 2  has built a multi-generation linked family tree  302  that does not extend to M eve , but is one generation removed. Fortunately, R 1 &#39;s tree included a maternal ancestor, designated S 1 , who was known to have a sibling S 2 . As S 1  and S 2  have the same mother, M eve , they share the same mtDNA, which is passed on to R 1  and R 2 . Accordingly as the both tree  301  and tree  302  at generation level  303  have a female siblings that are likely to be the same person based on name and preferably at least one of age, place of birth, death or residence, R 2  can then extend the knowledge of her ancestry to reach the generation of M eve , as well as to add branch  301  contributed by R 1 . Thus, finding both a match in mtDNA and at least a common pair female sibling in their maternal lines R 1  and R 2  can discover they are related. In more preferred embodiments such matriarchal ancestor database includes record fields for date and/or lifecycle event such as the birth, death, marriage, religious ceremony, divorce, place of birth, death, and/or marriage, property acquisition or bequest, or mere domicile or place of residence. In the most preferred embodiments, the matriarchal ancestor database includes record fields for the names of male siblings.  
         [0038]     Another embodiment of the invention to improve genealogical searching utilizes information derived from DNA of the Y chromosome of male subjects or the male siblings of subjects. Such a database would contain data fields for the subject&#39;s name, a plurality of genetic markers of the named person, a value associated with each genetic marker, the name of a patriarchal ancestor of the subject. In preferred embodiments, the data structure and search algorithm generated therefrom will also include data fields linking multiple named subjects and the relationships. In preferred embodiments, the data structure and search algorithm generated therefrom will also include data fields for adding the name of male siblings of the paternal line, as only male descendents of male siblings would inherit largely the same DNA on the Y-chromosome, other than for mutations that are known to occur a very low frequency over tens or hundreds of generations. This principle is illustrated schematically in  FIG. 4  as a theoretical abstract of a portion of a database showing the male (F for father) and female (M for Mother) parent at each generation and their offspring that would have the common Y-chromosome DNA markers. As the Y-chromosome DNA only passes to male offsprings, the female offspring are not shown to simplify the diagram. At the bottom, or living generation, are two research subjects R 1  and R 2  that have a match of Y-chromosome DNA markers of either themselves or a male sibling. R 1  has built a multi-generation linked family tree  401  from a variety of records before using DNA data, shown by a solid bold line linking parents to children. Family tree  401  extends from F adam  to R 1 . However, R 2  has built a multi-generation linked family tree  302  that does not extend to F adam , but one generation removed. Fortunately, R 1 &#39;s tree included a paternal ancestor, designated S 1 , who was known to have a male sibling S 2 . As S 1  and S 2  have the same Father, F adam , they share the same DNA, which is passed on to both R 1  and R 2 . Accordingly as the both tree  401  and tree  402  at generation level  403  have a pair of male siblings that are likely to be the same person based on name and preferably at least one of age, place of birth, death or residence, R 2  can extend the knowledge of his or her ancestry to now reach the generation of F adam , as well as branch  401  contributed by R 1 . Thus finding both a match in Y-chromosome DNA and at least a common pair male sibling in their paternal lines R 1  and R 2  can discover they are related. In more preferred embodiments such paternal ancestor database includes record fields for date and/or lifecycle event such as the birth, death, marriage, religious ceremony, divorce, place of birth death and/or marriage, or mere domicile or place of residence. In most preferred embodiments, the patriarchal ancestor database includes record fields for the names of female siblings. Such a database would contain data fields for the subjects name, a plurality of genetic markers of the named person, a value associated with each genetic marker, the name of a sibling of an ancestor of the subject.  
         [0039]     Another embodiment of the invention to improve genealogical searching utilizes information historical records that record the conveyance or emancipation of slaves. Such records can be founds in ancient wills, courthouse records of sales, contemporaneous newspaper accounts and the like. Such a database would contain data fields for the conveyor&#39;s name, the receiver&#39;s name, at least a first or last name of the person conveyed or emancipated, and at least one of a date and a geographic or jurisdictional designation associated with the transaction.  
         [0040]     While the invention has been described in connection with a preferred embodiment, it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to the particular form set forth, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.