International members and nonmembers can make an appointment for webconferencing assistance on our appointments page. Local members and nonmembers can visit the Heritage Center during the scheduled hours each weekday for assistance using the Giants of the Earth database, ancestry.com, genealogy.com, geni.com, etc. We have scanners and online computers and Georgia Rosendahl, John Storlie, and others will be answering your questions, assisting you in your research, and training you to learn how to add your family’s story to our tree. To ensure that we can accomodate you, please make an appointment.

When Spring Grove residents were learning how to order stuff on the internet, they were super excited to see all the advanced kits for studying their gnomes. So they got together and ordered a bunch of kits. When they got all these kits, they realized that the kits were actually for studying their genomes and not their gnomes. They said resourcefully, “Oh well, we shouldn’t let these kits go to waste.” Since then, they have been having a blast learning doing genomic analysis on themselves and how they are descended from Viking royalty. They learned that their DNA can tell a story of where it has been and where their ancestors lived and traveled? They are using cutting-edge DNA technology to find thousands of cousins in America and around the world, and to identify the farms back in the homelands their ancestors came from. Giants of the Earth Heritage Center is uniquely capable of synthesizing the old with the new, since our board and staff is made up of certified experts in genetics, genealogy, and information technology. Thanks to the recently approved genetic information nondiscrimination act (GINA), it is illegal for employers or health insurance companies to use genetic information to discriminate against people, allowing people to take full advantage of the great opportunities offered by genomic analysis. We have several ideas about how we might use DNA studies.

Native Population R1 yDNA: Native American distribution hard to explain using currently accepted historical theories

1. Resolving historical mysteries. For example, we hope to analyze definitively whether or not pre-Columbian Europeans made a genetic contribution to the Native Americans. Using autosomal, yDNA, and mtDNA analysis and advanced TMRCA (time to most recent common ancestor) calculations, we also hope to test whether pre-Columbian Norse or post-Columbian Norman French traders made the genetic contribution that resulted in the Mandans possessing Northern European physical features, as has been documented by numerous historians.

2. Breaking through your genealogical dead ends.

3. Verifying your already existing genealogical records.

4. Putting our residents and members ahead of the curve, so they can utilize the latest discoveries to make informed health decisions, based upon personalized information. We want our members to have the option to be the first to take advantage of medical breakthroughs that improve the quality of life and restore health from degenerative diseases. For example, using our current genetic testing, which includes major histocompatibility (MHC) analysis, we can pioneer a cordblood/organ matching service for our community to save, prolong, and improve the quality of our residents’ lives, through grafting, and eventually through regenerative therapy. Having a relatively high degree of genetic similarity, our community and our members have a higher rate of MHC matches than most any other group. Further, as one family, we are willing to collaborate to help ensure that our children have access to the best treatment that medicine can deliver, should misfortune befall them.

Those who join Giants of the Earth at a $500, or higher, membership level may request a free complete genetic test. Further, after you receive your test, Giants genetic genealogy expert, Dr. Johnathan Storlie, will be working with you to answer your questions and walk you through the steps. If, after looking at the link above, you are interested or have questions, please email support@springgrovemnheritagecenter.org and Dr. Storlie will call or write you back.