An Historic Ship & DNA, April 11

On Saturday, April 11 at Weston History & Culture Center you can learn all about the ship that transported Nathan Hale on his fateful spy mission during the Revolutionary War and how genetic DNA can be combined with traditional genealogy to trace family lineage and solve cold cases.

Both events are free, part of the “Weston America 250: The Revolutionary Spirit” series.

The Sally

At 2:00, historian Edward Eckert discusses the history of The Sally, a Connecticut merchant sloop that was converted into a warship, and about its captains and crews (including Nathan Hale) that conducted espionage, raids against the enemy, and privateering along the treacherous “Devil’s Belt” of Long Island Sound.

Space is limited, so registration is required.

Mr. Eckert is an American history researcher who has shared his knowledge in Connecticut for over 20 years on topics that include Fairfield County’s history, the American Revolution, the Civil War, and World War II.

Genetics and Cold Cases

At 3:15, researcher Laura Clark Murray discusses how genetic genealogy can be used for everything from searching for family patriots to solving cold cases.

You can register here (required).

The program reveals how DNA analysis, combined with traditional records, can solve persistent family mysteries, help identify unknown people in cold cases, and prove family lineage to patriot ancestors.

Ms. Murray is program manager for the High Impact Technology Fund at Stanford University and a researcher on advancing the efficiency of forensic investigative genetic genealogy. For over 30 years, she has focused on integrating DNA analysis with documentary evidence.