Genome Project

On By scottpetersenIn Genome ProjectLeave a comment

A few years ago, National Geographic Magazine began a study of mitochondrial DNA lines. Mitochondrial DNA is a genetic component traceable through females only with only one mutation every 10,000 years or so. This has nothing to do with genealogy — only the mitochondrial derivation and movement of one’s maternal (mother’s mother’s mother’s etc.) ancestors going back 10,000 to 30,000 years.

Last Christmas, Donna and Lauren gave me a National Geographic genomic kit to study my “roots.”   A few months ago, I chose to trace the genomic origins on my mother’s side.   I vigorously attacked the inside of my cheek with a scraper for about a minute (twice – 8 hours apart) and sent the swabs to National Geographic’s genomic project.   A few weeks ago, I got the results.   Wow!!  My mother’s ancestral line began perhaps 30,000 years ago in East Africa. We are in a subgroup called “Haplogroup K.”   This group migrated from Africa – through the Middle East – and ended up in Central Europe.   One very small line ended up in Sweden.    It is interesting that more than one third of all Ashkenazi Jews (in Central Europe) are of Haplogroup K.   If you would like to look further into this fascinating project, the link to the web site is as follows: http://genographic.nationalgeographic.com/genographic.    The kits cost about $120.00 (which includes the analysis).   You might also Google this genetic study since there are numerous articles about it.

Search the Internet like a Pro

On By scottpetersenIn Internet SearchingLeave a comment

Do you want to kick your internet searching into high gear?  As a lawyer, I’m doing searching throughout the day.  For me Google is the search engine of choice.  There are two tips I use:

1.  Quotation Marks — Whenever you have two words or more – and you’re searching only for that nexus of words – put them within quotation marks.  Searching for Scott W. Petersen will give you 2 million hits (you get all the “Scott Jones” “Oliver Petersen” etc.).  But putting the three elements within quotation marks (“Scott W. Petersen”) will give you only records where they appear together.

2.  The Plus (+) Sign — You know a lawyer named “Petersen” and he’s a lawyer with “Holland” something or other in Chicago, just enter +petersen +lawyer +holland +chicago and you will see only records where those four elements appear together.  You can search for old friends, addresses, phone numbers, random events, genealogy records. . .  just about anything.   

Thus if I am searching for the Petersen family in Copenhagen, I can enter +”petersen family” +copenhagen.  If I have a medical condition and want to learn about treatment and support groups, I can enter +”acid reflux” +treatment +”support group” +diet and voila – a cornucopia of helpful web sites (each containing the key elements/words) appears.

Knowledgeable and creative searching brings solid results and saves hours of time!

Edward Everett Hale

On By scottpetersenIn Edward Everett HaleLeave a comment

As you might gather from my posting about Hank Sauer, I am an autograph collector.  Over the years, I have collected perhaps 300 to 400  original letters  and signed first editions of the noted author and theologian Edward Everett Hale (1822-1909).    How I started collecting Hale’s original letters is a story in itself.  Suffice to say, it has been an interesting ride. 

From 1901 to 1909, Hale was the Chaplain of the United States Senate.   When the Reverend Hale was chaplain of the U.S. Senate, he was asked if he prayed for the Senators.  “No,” he said. “I look at the Senators and I pray for the country.”  Living through these last few weeks suggests that we might all profit by similar petitions. . . .

Hank Sauer

On By scottpetersenIn Hank SauerLeave a comment

My favorite baseball player as a kid was Hank Sauer – right fielder for the hapless Chicago Cubs.  I tried – desperately – to get his autograph when my dad would take me to Wrigley Field but the most I ever got was eye contact.  I was screaming at him “Hank!  Hank!  Mister Sauer!”  He looked me in the eye like I was a 9 year old lunatic. 

A few years ago, I wrote an article talking about Hank and how I never was able to get his autograph.  Someone read the article and sent me a note that Hank was living in Southern California.   The address was included.  Sooooo, I sent him a letter – including a copy of the article and talking about how I was his best fan in the world.  A few weeks later, I arrived at my office one morning and there was a package on my desk.  In the corner was a return address sticker shaped like a baseball.   Between the stitching, it said “Hank Sauer.”  My eyes filled with tears and I opened the package.  Inside was a large album full of original pictures of Hank, original baseball cards and. . . . several autographs – “To Scott – my best Chicago fan.”   

Hank passed away 10 years ago this month.  But I will always relish the fact that I “hit the high note” in my autograph collecting career.  I got Hank Sauer.

Romanian

On By scottpetersenIn LanguageLeave a comment

I frequently take cabs in Chicago.  I have found that the lion’s share of cab drivers are Pakistani, Indian, Nigerian, Ghanan and. . . . Romanian.   There seem to be quite a few young men – and a few young women – from Romania who are driving hacks.  And most of these, rather than coming from Bucharest, are from Transylvania. 

Romanian is one language on which I haven’t a clue.  So I inevitably ask questions of the drivers to pick up tidbits of information.  Romanian I have learned is a Romance and not a Slavic language.  It is derived from Latin and is most closely-related to Italian and Spanish.   It often causes a stir when I get in a taxi, do a quick diagnosis of the driver, and ask “What part of Transylvania are you from?”  Gets ’em every time. . . . .

1913 “V” Nickel

On By scottpetersenIn NumismaticsLeave a comment

The Liberty Head five cent piece (the “V” Nickel – because of a Roman numeral “5” on the reverse) was made from 1883 to 1912 and was America’s second “nickel.”   In 1913, the United States Mint produced Liberty Head nickels but they were never intended for circulation.   Colonel E. H. R. Green (the son of the famous Hetty Green) owned 5 strikes of the 1913 nickel.  These five rarities have since been dispersed to collectors.   See  http://www.blanchardonline.com/aboutblanchard/liberty_head_nickel.php  

Around 1960, I was a Boy Scout and I worked on the Coin Collecting Merit Badge.  The merit badge counselor was a man named Herman Noll (he lived in Mt. Prospect, IL).  He had an amazing collection of coins (he actually gave me some for my collection).  I remember him telling me that his father was an employee of the U.S. Mint that produced the 1913 “V” Nickel.  His father took a few — apparently beyond those belonging to Mr. Green.  Mr. Noll never told me where the remaining 1913 nickels were or what had been done with them.  A recent posting suggests the value is $3,000,000 for one nickel . . .  I wish I’d asked a few more questions . . . .      

Here’s a toast to. . . .

On By scottpetersenIn ToastingLeave a comment

When Benjamin Franklin was the emissary to France, the British Ambassador led off with a toast to his king.  “To George the Third, who, like the sun in its meridian, spreads luster throughout and enlightens the world.”  Not to be outdone, the French minister declared “To the illustrious Louis the Sixteenth who like the moon, sheds his benevolent rays on and influences the globe.”  Finally, Franklin rose and lifted his glass and offered “To George Washington, commander of the American armies, who – like Joshua of old – commanded the sun and moon to stand still and both obeyed.” 

Here’s looking at you, kid. . . .  Cheers!

Humor – the Best Medicine

On By scottpetersenIn HumorLeave a comment

On March 14, 2005, I delivered a paper to The Chicago Literary Club entitled “The Best Medicine” http://www.chilit.org/Petersen4.htm  The paper delved into the history of humor – from the Biblical Genesis 17:17, to (my favorite) the first stand up comedian – Aristophanes – “Old Baggy Pants” (448 B.C. to 385 B.C.) to “Heeere’s Johnny” Carson. 

In December 2001, the British Association for the Advancement of Science conducted a survey of the worlds funniest jokes.  After months of studious analysis (I wish I’d’ve been part of that group), they concluded that one joke was the funniest ever.

Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson pitch their tent while on a camping expedition.  In the middle of the night, Holmes nudges Watson awake and says:

Holmes:  Watson – look up and the stars and tell me what you deduce.

Watson:  Holmes, I see millions of stars and I wonder if some of them have planets like earth where there may also be life.

Holmes:  No, Watson – you idiot!  Someone has stolen our tent! 

The Perfect Meal

On By scottpetersenIn FoodLeave a comment

My idea of a perfect meal is spaghetti carbonara with grilled onions, fresh parsley, peas, pancetta and a glass or two of a Barolo or Brunello. Divine. The perfect day is sunny and 80 degrees — playing golf with friends.  The perfect evening is spent with my family — having spaghetti carbonara. . . . .   

Spaghetti Carbonara — Serves 3 (generously) – 4

 1/2 lb. Pancetta (or Canadian Bacon), diced

2 cloves garlic, sliced

olive oil

1 onion, finely chopped, preferably Vidalia

Peas (to taste)

1 lb. Spaghetti

3 eggs

Freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese

lots of coarsely ground pepper

2 tbls. Chopped Italian parsley

Salt 

Instructions — Bring pot of salted water to boil.   Dice pancetta and sauté in olive oil (5-7 minutes) over medium-low heat; sauté garlic but remove when softened but not brown.   Do not over-brown the pancetta.  Drain most oil.   Sauté chopped onions in oil with pancetta and add a little more olive oil (about 2 TB.).   Break eggs into serving bowl and whisk well.   Add coarse black pepper, peas and minced parsley.   Cook pasta al dente.   Drain pasta but do not rinse and immediately add to bowl and toss quickly, mixing well to cook the eggs.    Toss in a heaping ½ cup grated cheese.    Turn pancetta mixture onto pasta and mix well.    Serve with grated cheese.  Thanks to Carol for this great recipe!

 

Genealogy

On By scottpetersenIn Genealogy, Irish Rebellion of 1798Leave a comment

Earlier this year, I logged on to www.ancestry.com to prowl around and look for relatives (Danish and Swedish).  The site seemed interesting – and ample – so I signed up.  My wife, Donna, saw what I was doing and to date has logged more than 11,000 hours on Ancestry.com.  Not really but she has traced her family roots back to Ireland, Poland, Germany and heaven knows where.  She is decended from William Bagnal Harvey who had his head lopped off (stuck on a pike outside Wexford courthouse) for helping to lead the Irish insurrection against the British in 1798.  On a trip to Northern Ireland a few years ago, we met a university professor who offered a course on this 1798 uprising.  When Donna revealed  her heritage, the man quickly grabbed her hand — and kissed it.  Slowly.  Royally.   She liked that .   Hmmmm . . . . maybe I can learn a lesson from this. . . .