Phil Grass 👊🇪🇺🕊️
@philgrass.bsky.social
🇬🇧/🇩🇪 Doing stuff badly since 1965, 48%er, Parent, Hausmann, ex-IT Project Mgr, Gin tester, 🧬PgCert Genealogist.
Surprised to discover that the winner of the inaugural #FIFA Peace Prize is US President, Donald Trump😮
“This is truly one of the great honours of my life.”
FIFA President Gianni Infantino gifted U.S. President Donald Trump a gold trophy, a medal and a certificate.
Trump is the winner of the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino gifted U.S. President Donald Trump a gold trophy, a medal and a certificate.
Trump is the winner of the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize.
December 5, 2025 at 7:31 PM
Surprised to discover that the winner of the inaugural #FIFA Peace Prize is US President, Donald Trump😮
Well that’s really going to screw my Ethnicity Estimates 😀
December 5, 2025 at 12:09 PM
Well that’s really going to screw my Ethnicity Estimates 😀
Yesterday I was in hospital for my annual check-up. Saw this poster inviting Medical students for a week of Pre-Christmas viewings of live operations (while enjoying a glass of warm Glühwein)😮
I still can’t decide if this is a real thing or some brilliant joke I don’t understand 🤷♂️
I still can’t decide if this is a real thing or some brilliant joke I don’t understand 🤷♂️
December 5, 2025 at 9:44 AM
Yesterday I was in hospital for my annual check-up. Saw this poster inviting Medical students for a week of Pre-Christmas viewings of live operations (while enjoying a glass of warm Glühwein)😮
I still can’t decide if this is a real thing or some brilliant joke I don’t understand 🤷♂️
I still can’t decide if this is a real thing or some brilliant joke I don’t understand 🤷♂️
Great to see ancient DNA results coming from under-represented southern Africa. 👏👏
Our new ancient DNA paper has just been published!
We present 28 new genomes from southern Africa - several of them high-coverage whole genomes.
Exciting to be moving towards population-level representation of ancient southern African genetic diversity!
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
We present 28 new genomes from southern Africa - several of them high-coverage whole genomes.
Exciting to be moving towards population-level representation of ancient southern African genetic diversity!
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Homo sapiens-specific evolution unveiled by ancient southern African genomes - Nature
The genomes of 28 ancient southern African individuals dated to between 10,200 and 150 years before present offer insights into the evolution of Homo sapiens.
www.nature.com
December 4, 2025 at 7:29 PM
Great to see ancient DNA results coming from under-represented southern Africa. 👏👏
I see #Ancestry Thrulines has a new Pedigree View. Sadly I've yet to get access, but I like the idea. More info via Roberta Estes blog:
dna-explained.com/2025/12/03/a...
#Genealogy
dna-explained.com/2025/12/03/a...
#Genealogy
Ancestry’s ThruLines Has a New Pedigree View
Ancestry recently updated ThruLines and introduced a new pedigree view. I’m not sure that everyone has the new view yet, so here’s what to expect. If you do have the new feature, let’s take a…
dna-explained.com
December 4, 2025 at 7:11 PM
I see #Ancestry Thrulines has a new Pedigree View. Sadly I've yet to get access, but I like the idea. More info via Roberta Estes blog:
dna-explained.com/2025/12/03/a...
#Genealogy
dna-explained.com/2025/12/03/a...
#Genealogy
A quick recap of some of my favourite Black Week offers for your #Genealogy research:
DNA kits from @myheritageofficial.bsky.social only €27. (If you are lucky then you also can get a year's sub for €9 😀)
15% off courses @pharostutors.bsky.social
up to 30% off subs @findmypast.bsky.social
DNA kits from @myheritageofficial.bsky.social only €27. (If you are lucky then you also can get a year's sub for €9 😀)
15% off courses @pharostutors.bsky.social
up to 30% off subs @findmypast.bsky.social
November 30, 2025 at 3:38 PM
A quick recap of some of my favourite Black Week offers for your #Genealogy research:
DNA kits from @myheritageofficial.bsky.social only €27. (If you are lucky then you also can get a year's sub for €9 😀)
15% off courses @pharostutors.bsky.social
up to 30% off subs @findmypast.bsky.social
DNA kits from @myheritageofficial.bsky.social only €27. (If you are lucky then you also can get a year's sub for €9 😀)
15% off courses @pharostutors.bsky.social
up to 30% off subs @findmypast.bsky.social
Today Mrs K-G and I paid homage to the Salian kings of Germany at their spiritual home in Speyer. The Kaiserdom, began in 1030 under Conrad II, is the largest remaining Romanesque church and a UNESCO world heritage site.
November 27, 2025 at 8:05 PM
Today Mrs K-G and I paid homage to the Salian kings of Germany at their spiritual home in Speyer. The Kaiserdom, began in 1030 under Conrad II, is the largest remaining Romanesque church and a UNESCO world heritage site.
One other Black Week discount. I see that @myheritageofficial.bsky.social are now offering their DNA tests for the ridiculous price of €27. 😮
#AncestryHour
#AncestryHour
November 25, 2025 at 7:41 PM
One other Black Week discount. I see that @myheritageofficial.bsky.social are now offering their DNA tests for the ridiculous price of €27. 😮
#AncestryHour
#AncestryHour
Hi #AncestryHour I’m taking advantage of the Black Week 15% discount to sign up for this course. My many Ag Lab ancestors will be happy 😀
Discovering More About Your Agricultural Labouring Ancestors. This course helps to set Ag. Labs. in a broader context and suggests sources that will reveal more about the lives of those rural ancestors. www.pharostutors.com/discovering-...
November 25, 2025 at 7:38 PM
Hi #AncestryHour I’m taking advantage of the Black Week 15% discount to sign up for this course. My many Ag Lab ancestors will be happy 😀
Reposted by Phil Grass 👊🇪🇺🕊️
If you want to read something completely nuts from the unregulated world of direct to consumer genomics, look no further.
And when I say completely nuts, I’m being restrained and polite. Criminal is another word that springs to mind.
And when I say completely nuts, I’m being restrained and polite. Criminal is another word that springs to mind.
"Concerns about the legitimacy and integrity of Nucleus Genomics", by X account @sichuan_mala
totalhealthoptimization.com/2025/11/21/c...
totalhealthoptimization.com/2025/11/21/c...
Concerns about the legitimacy and integrity of Nucleus Genomics – Total Health Optimization
totalhealthoptimization.com
November 25, 2025 at 2:13 AM
If you want to read something completely nuts from the unregulated world of direct to consumer genomics, look no further.
And when I say completely nuts, I’m being restrained and polite. Criminal is another word that springs to mind.
And when I say completely nuts, I’m being restrained and polite. Criminal is another word that springs to mind.
Reposted by Phil Grass 👊🇪🇺🕊️
Dig deeper into your Scottish roots at the Scottish Indexes Conference on 31 Jan 2026.
Free online talks on marriage, DNA, illicit distilling, church records & more. Save the date!
#Scottish #FamilyHistory #ScottishIndexes #Genealogy #Archives
Free online talks on marriage, DNA, illicit distilling, church records & more. Save the date!
#Scottish #FamilyHistory #ScottishIndexes #Genealogy #Archives
November 25, 2025 at 12:40 PM
Dig deeper into your Scottish roots at the Scottish Indexes Conference on 31 Jan 2026.
Free online talks on marriage, DNA, illicit distilling, church records & more. Save the date!
#Scottish #FamilyHistory #ScottishIndexes #Genealogy #Archives
Free online talks on marriage, DNA, illicit distilling, church records & more. Save the date!
#Scottish #FamilyHistory #ScottishIndexes #Genealogy #Archives
TiL that it’s Buß- und Bettag, the Day of Repentance and Prayer. I gather it’s still a public holiday in Sachsen (Saxony) 🤷♂️
November 19, 2025 at 2:59 PM
TiL that it’s Buß- und Bettag, the Day of Repentance and Prayer. I gather it’s still a public holiday in Sachsen (Saxony) 🤷♂️
Wish me luck, I’m hoping to get WGS 🧬
FWIW. Probably not a bad idea to get retested at MH. My current results are a transfer from a very early chip from Ancestry.
Also, it’s good that MH do collection in 🇩🇪, so no problems sending packages to the 🇺🇸
FWIW. Probably not a bad idea to get retested at MH. My current results are a transfer from a very early chip from Ancestry.
Also, it’s good that MH do collection in 🇩🇪, so no problems sending packages to the 🇺🇸
November 15, 2025 at 10:56 AM
Wish me luck, I’m hoping to get WGS 🧬
FWIW. Probably not a bad idea to get retested at MH. My current results are a transfer from a very early chip from Ancestry.
Also, it’s good that MH do collection in 🇩🇪, so no problems sending packages to the 🇺🇸
FWIW. Probably not a bad idea to get retested at MH. My current results are a transfer from a very early chip from Ancestry.
Also, it’s good that MH do collection in 🇩🇪, so no problems sending packages to the 🇺🇸
FWIW I don't think this DNA analysis of Hitler and his small penis is particularly useful.
Hitler was evil, but the real tragedy of WW2 and the Shoah was enabled by many other evil people and the unfortunate circumstances of history.
www.independent.co.uk/news/science...
Hitler was evil, but the real tragedy of WW2 and the Shoah was enabled by many other evil people and the unfortunate circumstances of history.
www.independent.co.uk/news/science...
Hitler had a genetic sexual disorder, new DNA analysis reveals
Findings also debunk the myth that the Nazi dictator had Jewish ancestry
www.independent.co.uk
November 13, 2025 at 9:35 AM
FWIW I don't think this DNA analysis of Hitler and his small penis is particularly useful.
Hitler was evil, but the real tragedy of WW2 and the Shoah was enabled by many other evil people and the unfortunate circumstances of history.
www.independent.co.uk/news/science...
Hitler was evil, but the real tragedy of WW2 and the Shoah was enabled by many other evil people and the unfortunate circumstances of history.
www.independent.co.uk/news/science...
Reposted by Phil Grass 👊🇪🇺🕊️
Yes, I know, o.
But that's not the joke here.
But that's not the joke here.
November 12, 2025 at 10:10 AM
Yes, I know, o.
But that's not the joke here.
But that's not the joke here.
I love this new research on the remains of Béla of Macsó, a 13c Hungarian noble who was apparently the grandson of Hungarian King Béla IV on his mother's side, and on his father's side belonged to the Rurik dynasty of northern, Scandinavian origin. 😀
phys.org/news/2025-11...
phys.org/news/2025-11...
Cold case solved: Team confirms identity of medieval duke from Árpád and Rurik dynasties
An international project led by Hungarian researchers has successfully identified the remains of Duke Béla, the Ban of Macsó, a member of the Árpád and Rurik dynasties. The investigations have answere...
phys.org
November 8, 2025 at 9:47 PM
I love this new research on the remains of Béla of Macsó, a 13c Hungarian noble who was apparently the grandson of Hungarian King Béla IV on his mother's side, and on his father's side belonged to the Rurik dynasty of northern, Scandinavian origin. 😀
phys.org/news/2025-11...
phys.org/news/2025-11...
30 years ago today I started working in Amsterdam on a six month contract as an IT Specialist (working on cc:mail, an early email system).
In the end I ended up spending 7 years in the Netherlands, and never returned full time to Blighty🇬🇧
#HalfALifetime
In the end I ended up spending 7 years in the Netherlands, and never returned full time to Blighty🇬🇧
#HalfALifetime
November 1, 2025 at 2:10 PM
30 years ago today I started working in Amsterdam on a six month contract as an IT Specialist (working on cc:mail, an early email system).
In the end I ended up spending 7 years in the Netherlands, and never returned full time to Blighty🇬🇧
#HalfALifetime
In the end I ended up spending 7 years in the Netherlands, and never returned full time to Blighty🇬🇧
#HalfALifetime
🎃 Happy Halloween 🎃
I was wanting to write something scary like “Mixed ethnicity families in British Tv Ads”, but it didn’t fit🤦♂️, so I just went with IRUME😀
I was wanting to write something scary like “Mixed ethnicity families in British Tv Ads”, but it didn’t fit🤦♂️, so I just went with IRUME😀
October 31, 2025 at 6:36 PM
🎃 Happy Halloween 🎃
I was wanting to write something scary like “Mixed ethnicity families in British Tv Ads”, but it didn’t fit🤦♂️, so I just went with IRUME😀
I was wanting to write something scary like “Mixed ethnicity families in British Tv Ads”, but it didn’t fit🤦♂️, so I just went with IRUME😀
It feels like MyHeritage are almost giving away their DNA kits. €29/kit, plus an offer of their Complete plan for €9 for the first year (my existing sub recently expired 😀).
Given that MH have stated new kits will be processed with WGS it was a bargain too good to miss.
#GeneticGenealogy
Given that MH have stated new kits will be processed with WGS it was a bargain too good to miss.
#GeneticGenealogy
October 29, 2025 at 11:23 AM
It feels like MyHeritage are almost giving away their DNA kits. €29/kit, plus an offer of their Complete plan for €9 for the first year (my existing sub recently expired 😀).
Given that MH have stated new kits will be processed with WGS it was a bargain too good to miss.
#GeneticGenealogy
Given that MH have stated new kits will be processed with WGS it was a bargain too good to miss.
#GeneticGenealogy
Complex results from a new study on late life virginity.
October 28, 2025 at 10:26 AM
Complex results from a new study on late life virginity.
For anyone in London on the 13th November…
Join us for an extraordinary evening with Nobel Laureate Svante Pääbo!
Prof Pääbo will present a FREE public talk titled “Of Neanderthals and Denisovans, and how they live on in many of us” at the @crick.ac.uk.
Register here: genetics.org.uk/events/of-ne...
Prof Pääbo will present a FREE public talk titled “Of Neanderthals and Denisovans, and how they live on in many of us” at the @crick.ac.uk.
Register here: genetics.org.uk/events/of-ne...
October 27, 2025 at 8:53 PM
For anyone in London on the 13th November…
Good to see this result 👏
This is REALLY good to see. Too many colleagues were utterly misrepresented in this awful film, & in narrative surrounding it
They deserve to have their names cleared.
BBC News - Substantial damages awarded to academic over Steve Coogan Richard III film - BBC News
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
They deserve to have their names cleared.
BBC News - Substantial damages awarded to academic over Steve Coogan Richard III film - BBC News
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Substantial damages awarded to academic over Steve Coogan Richard III film
Richard Taylor sued Steve Coogan and two production companies over his portrayal in the movie.
www.bbc.co.uk
October 27, 2025 at 3:47 PM
Good to see this result 👏
Just seen that 23andMe has a new "Reconstructed Ancestors" feature. see customercare.23andme.com/hc/en-us/art...
I'm pretty sure it's not going to work for myself - I just don't have enough close relatives to generate the DNA information. 🤷♂️
#genealogy #geneticgenealogy
I'm pretty sure it's not going to work for myself - I just don't have enough close relatives to generate the DNA information. 🤷♂️
#genealogy #geneticgenealogy
23andMe: Reconstructed Ancestors Overview
We have launched a new ancestry feature called Reconstructed Ancestors that is available for 23andMe+ Premium and 23andMe+ Total Health members who are enrolled in our Beta Program*.This innovative...
customercare.23andme.com
October 27, 2025 at 10:36 AM
Just seen that 23andMe has a new "Reconstructed Ancestors" feature. see customercare.23andme.com/hc/en-us/art...
I'm pretty sure it's not going to work for myself - I just don't have enough close relatives to generate the DNA information. 🤷♂️
#genealogy #geneticgenealogy
I'm pretty sure it's not going to work for myself - I just don't have enough close relatives to generate the DNA information. 🤷♂️
#genealogy #geneticgenealogy
If you’re thinking of leaving all your money to your cats …
A deep-dive into the fictional will and murder-for-inheritance scenario in Taylor Swift's Anti-Hero through the lens of English law — private purpose trusts, certainties, perpetuities, forfeiture, butterfly lifespans, cat pictures, and capricious pet bequests.
equitysdarling.co.uk/2025/10/23/s...
equitysdarling.co.uk/2025/10/23/s...
She Who Laughs Last? Pets, Perpetuities, and Other Problems with the Last Will and Testament of Taylor A. Swift - Equity's Darling
A legal analysis of Taylor Swift’s fictional will from Anti-Hero, exploring pets, perpetuities, probate pitfalls and the perils of home-drafted wills under English law.
equitysdarling.co.uk
October 25, 2025 at 11:55 AM
If you’re thinking of leaving all your money to your cats …