Downloading RAW DNA from AncestryDNA and Uploading it onto GEDmatch.com

In order to enhance my research and that of others, I’m constantly encouraging people to submit a DNA test and upload the results onto GEDmatch.com. It’s a FREE process to transfer onto GEDmatch, and pretty simple, though there are a few steps. I’ve decided to make this step-by-step instructional.

STEP 1 – Log in to Ancestry.com and click on the DNA tab at the top of the screen.

STEP 2 – Click on the Settings cogwheel above the tester’s DNA you wish to use. If you are someone who manages multiple tests, each person will have their own Settings cogwheel.

Step 3 – On the right side of the screen you will see a list of options. Find the “Download your raw DNA data” and click “Get Started”.

Step 4 – You’re prompted to type in your Ancestry.com password; click confirm.

Step 5 – For this step, first you must go to your email and find the confirmation that Ancestry.com has just sent you. Open the email and find a confirmation prompt displayed in the picture below. Click “Confirm Data Download”.

Step 6 – Click the “Download DNA Raw Data” button to initiate the download. Take note the you will want to do this step as soon as you have the option, as it will expire after 7 days. Also note, you must leave this browser window open until the download is complete. If you are not computer savvy, note that you “should” see the download taking process in a download box somewhere on the bottom or top of your screen. It should indicate when the download it complete.

Step 7 – Click on the newly downloaded file and save it somewhere on your desktop where you can easily access it again. It is a large file, so smaller thumb drives may not hold it. You can delete the file from your computer after you’ve uploaded it to GEDmatch.com if you wish and the option to download this again from AncestryDNA is always available.

Step 8 – Go to GEDmatch.com, register for FREE and sign-in. At the top right of the Home Page you will see the section to Upload your Raw DNA. Click the Ancestry.com option and take note to NOT un-zip the raw DNA file before uploading. You do not want to accidentally corrupt the data.

Step 9 – Lastly, fill out the basic information about yourself or the DNA donor who’s DNA you’re managing. At the bottom of the page choose your method to upload the Raw DNA file you saved to your computer in Step 7. Take note of the warning at the bottom of the screen, that the uploading process will take several minutes. Don’t close the page until your upload it complete. At the end of the process, you will be given a Kit # which will also appear on your Home Page. This number is made public on the site and is the number you use to access your DNA on the site. Feel free to share your Kit # with other researchers.

I hope this instructional display was useful. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me through the inquiry form on my website. Happy researching!  🙂

Berghaier (Bergheier/Bergheyer) Family of the Poprad Region of Slovakia

This is the line of my maternal grandmother, Dorothy Berghaier. When I first began the journey of uncovering the Berghaiers, I was confused as to the origin village of where they hailed. Some of the siblings listed Gross Schlagendorf, others wrote down Nagyszalok. These two locations were supposed to be in Hungary, but neither turned up on modern maps. Hours of research revealed that both names were correct for the location presently called Vel’ky Slavkov, Poprad, Slovakia. The German name was Gross Schlagendorf, the Hungarian name was Nagyszalok.

My ancestors came to America in 1913, the following year the Austro-Hungarian Empire collapsed. The family spoke German, but those that remained ended up relocating and adopting the Hungarian language.

The history of this family starts long before 1913.

(Looking north at the High Tatra Mountains; Poland is on the other side.)

Tucked beneath the High Tatra Mountains in northern Slovakia is the Poprad region. Settled in the 10^th-13^th centuries by Slavic and German peoples, the villages there look like they’ve been trapped in time.

Paul Bergheyer, probably the son of Jacobus Bergheyer and Catharina Thinsin, was born 1763 in the village of Kezmarok. Paul moved to present day Nova Lesna, not far from where he was born. There, he was a shepherd. On November 27, 1793 he married Sophia Brinse, daughter of Johann and Eva Brinse of Vel’ky Slavkov. Paul eventually settled in his wife’s home village, where they had several children, including a daughter named Susanna.

Susanna Bergheyer was born March 12, 1797 in Vel’ky Slavkov to parents Paul Bergheyer and Sophia Brinse. Very little is known of her at this time, but she had at least one son out of wedlock at age thirty. That son was named after her father, Paul Bergheyer, and we’re left with no indication of who the biological father was. Susanna died September 23, 1873 of Thyphus.

Paul Bergheyer, illegitimate son of Susanna Bergheyer, was born January 16, 1827 in Vel’ky Slavkov and was baptized two days later. He remained in Vel’ky Slavkov for the duration of his life. On November 2, 1850 he married Maria Schmogner, daughter of Jacob Schmogner and Susanna Jobsch, all of Vel’ky Slavkov. Paul and Maria had several children. He died November 14, 1878 of Emaciation.

Paul Berghaier was born December 24, 1862 in Vel’ky Slavkov, Slovakia to parents Paul Bergheyer and Maria Schomogner. He was baptized two days after his birth. In 1871, Paul was nine years old; a railroad came through the region which enabled economic and industrial expansion. By 1880, Paul had taken a job as a masseur in a hotel located in Szepes Szombot to handle increased tourism directly related to the railroad.

On October 26, 1885 Paul married Susanna Schwarz in Vel’ky Slavkov, the daughter of Jacob Schwarz and Susanna Kuntsch, all of Vek’ly Slavkov. Paul and Susanna had seven children: Susanna (1882-?), John (1887-1962), Julia Susanna (18888-1962), Paul (1897-1974), Ludmilla “Amelia” (1899-1977), Mary (1901-1968) and my Great-Grandfather, Gustave (1902-1974).

(Back Row, L-R: Mary, Susanna, Julia, Gustave, Amelia. Front Row, L-R: John, Paul (Father),      Susanna Schwars (Mother), Paul.)

(Legend of the Family Portrait: This photo was taken in Philadelphia after the death of Paul Berghaier, and note that daughter Susanna never came to America. Body doubles stood in their place and headshots from other pictures were put in.)

From a difficult life, Paul knew the importance of hard work and opportunity. When the chance came, he leapt. December 1891, he boarded the S. S. Eider alone, leaving his family behind, setting sail from the Port of Bremen, bound for America.

January 19, 1892 Paul arrived in New York, landing at Ellis Island. This is significant as Ellis Island opened in 1892, making Paul one of the first immigrants to come through this port.

Paul disappears from records for the next thirteen years, in which space he made his way to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. December 1, 1905 his second eldest daughter Julia joined him; April 25, 1906 his eldest son John came to America and joined his sister in Philadelphia.

Paul said farewell to his two children and made his way home to Vel’ky Slavkov and was reunited with the rest of his family.

He died on April 7, 1911 in Vel’ky Slavkov, Poprad, Slovakia amongst his family. He left a legacy of self sacrifice for the betterment of his wife and children.

(Paul Berghaier)

After his death in 1913, as the Austro-Hungarian Empire hung on its last leg, his wife Susanna and younger children joined John and Julia in Philadelphia.

The eldest daughter, Susanna, remained in Slovakia; she had already married and begun a life of her own. Her husband was Istvan Hunyady. The couple moved south to the border of Hungary and Romania, near Fehergyarmat, Hungary, where some of my cousins live today. While Susanna spoke German, her husband spoke Hungarian; she adopted the language.

Gustave Berghaier was born on December 24, 1902 in Vel’ky Slavkov; sharing a birthday with his father. He was the son of Paul Berghaier and Susanna Schwarz.

He set sail from the Port of Hamburg on July 2, 1931 on the S. S. Graf Waldersee, at the age of ten, with his mother and siblings. He arrived in America at the Port of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, July 15, 1913.

(Gustave Berghaier)

He found work as a machinist in Philadelphia by the age of eighteen. He became naturalized on January 3, 1921 in Philadelphia. At this time, a railroad ran from Philadelphia into the heart of the New Jersey Pine Barrens, advertising work for immigrants, especially Germans, along the rails. The Wolf-Lettner family made use of his railroad, and is likely the cause to how Gustave met his wife.

On July 28, 1928 he married Elizabeth Wolff, daughter of Edward Wolf of Baden and Barbara “Bertha” Lettner of Hungary. The wedding took place in Egg Harbor, Atlantic County, New Jersey at St. Nicholas Church.

Gustave and his new wife moved to Merchantville Gardens in present day Camden County, New Jersey; it had been Burlington County then. They had a home build next door to his sister and brother-in-law, Louis and Amelia Toth, on Hassemer Avenue in Cherry Hill. The Toth family machine shop sat at the dead-end of the street.

Gustave eventually took work at RCA in south New Jersey. He and his wife lived comfortably and raised three daughters: Elizabeth Doris (1929-1998), my maternal Grandmother, Dorothy “Dot” (1930-2007) and Irene Ruth (Living).

(Gustave Berghaier and Elizabeth Wolff. Three daughers, L-R: Dorothy, Irene, Elizabeth.)

(Gustave Berghaier with daughters, L-R: Dorothy, Elizabeth, Irene.)

Gustave retired and moved with his wife to Fort Myers, Lee, Florida where they lived for many years on Vassar Avenue.

(Grave of Gustave Berghaier & Elizabeth Wolff, Fort Myers Memorial Gardens.)

He died on December 15, 1974 in Fort Myers and is buried at the Fort Myers Memorial Gardens in a double plot with his wife, Elizabeth, who joined him in 1999. Gustave is buried in a Veterans grave but thus far, no records or family lure mention that he fought in a war.

Dorothy “Dot” Berghaier was born November 24, 1930 in Cherry Hill, Camden County, New Jersey; the first of my Berghaier line to be born in America. The daughter of Gustave Berghaier of Vel’ky Slavkov, Poprad, Slovakia and Elizabeth Wolff of Wading River, Burlington County, New Jersey.

(Dorothy Berghaier)

She grew up on Hassemer Avenue in Cherry Hill NJ, considered Maple Shade at the time. She graduated high school in 1948 and went to work as a typist in City Hall of Philadelphia, taking the train into the city.

(Dorothy Berghaier, Graduation.)

(Dorothy Berghaier, Wildwood NJ)

She was engaged to her high school sweetheart, Jake Thorpe. Jake was shipped off to war and never returned, considered to have been taken a Prisoner of War, last seen alive, his body was never recovered; his official status is Missing In Action.

(Dorothy Berghaier & Jake Thorpe)

Jake’s story: he was charged with driving a jeep of generals out of a hot zone, they hit a landmine, the jeep over turned and Jake was pinned underneath. The generals fled unable to pull him free; when they returned with help, Jake was gone.

Soon after, Dorothy met Davey Lee Taylor at a military ball on a local base. They married in 1950 in Maple Shade NJ. Davey was from Kentucky, the son of Samuel Dennis Hall Taylor and Myrtle Elizabeth Newman, both of Kentucky.

(Dorothy Berghaier & Davey Lee Taylor)

Dorothy and Davey had three children: David Lee (Living), June Dorothy (Living), and my mother Elizabeth Ann (Living).

 

                (Dorothy & David)                                  (Dorothy with, L-R: David, June, Elizabeth)

They bought a house in Burlington County NJ on Hartford Road; the house was soon after taken by the state and the major highway, Rt. 295, was build where it used to stand. Her parents gave her the family house on Hassemer Avenue when they removed to Fort Myers. Davey went away to war, serving in Korea.

Soon after, Dorothy’s husband disserted them, forcing Dorothy to raise her three children alone. She was served divorce papers via mail; the divorce was finalized on April 11, 1962. Dorothy never remarried.

Dorothy took a job a Woolworth. She lived in Maple Shade and Marlton, and helped raise her grandchildren. She retired and moved to Shamong NJ.

 

(Dorothy “Dot” Berghaier)

On July 24, 2007 she died of pneumonia at home in her sleep. She was cremated and services were held at the Lechner Funeral Home in Medford NJ. Later, in 2014, when her daughter Elizabeth and grand-daughter Crystal moved to Maine, her ashes were scattered near their homes in Casco, Maine.

The Toronyai (Torney/Tornai) Family of Sátoraljaújhely, Borsod-Abaúj-Zemplén, Hungary & the Tri-State Area (NJ, DE, PA)

My interest in genealogy became an obsession when my father died; I was nine years old. It’s been over twenty years, my paternal line has been near impossible to trace. A brick wall built at the immigration of my 2nd Great-Grandfather, who I’ve known as Janos Tornai. I’d made many assumptions about his lineage, grasping for the truth with specs of non-identifying information. Everything I knew, every bit of research I painstakingly stitched together, was wrong – and I’ve never been happier. With the help of an online research group and a wonderful Hungarian genealogist, last month the brick wall came tumbling down. I’ve gained generations beyond Janos; more continue to come to light as additional documents are discovered.

 

In memory of my father, Edward P. Torney (1951-1992), I present Our Toronyai Family Line.

 

About the surname Toronyai: Torony is a Hungarian word meaning, Tower. Toronya is a location name, and Toronyai indicates a person who hails from Toronya. Just north of Sátoraljaújhely, Borsod-Abaúj-Zemplén, Hungary is the Hungarian-Slovakia border, beyond which we find the village of Veľká Tŕňa aka Nagytorony. Less than 100 miles east we find Toronya, a village in the Transcarpathia region of present day Ukraine. There, we also find Tower Pass (Toronyai-hágó). This towering pass may very well be what the area took its name from. My paternal line was likely in and around this area back into the 1200-1600s, and is named for it.

Janos Toronyai, born about 1780 in Sátoraljaújhely, Borsod-Abaúj-Zemplén, Hungary, is my 4th Great-Grandfather. Additional information is currently being sought. At the present, his one known child is, Janos.

Janos Toronyai, was born approxiately 1806 in Sátoraljaújhely, Borsod-Abaúj-Zemplén, Hungary. He was the son of Janos Toronyai.

He was a Bootmaker Master by trade and served as a Sacristan within the Reformed Church.

On February 22, 1830 he married Julianna Zolyomi, daughter of Samuel Zolyomi. They had the following children: Zsuzsanna, Julianna, Erzsebet #1, Janos #1, Janos #2 (my 2nd Great-Grandfather), Erzsebet #2, Jozsef, Erzsebet #3.

He died June 16, 1874 in Sátoraljaújhely of Tuberculosis and was buried the following day.

Janos Tornai (Janos Toronyai) was born April 21, 1839 in Sátoraljaújhely, Borsod-Abaúj-Zemplén, Hungary. He was the son of Janos Toronyai and Julianna Zolyomi. He belonged to the Reform Church. He married first to Erzsebet Kozsinovszky on May 31, 1866; after her death he married second to Maria Lebozsa, daughter of Istvan Lebozsa on October 25, 1876. The Lebozsa family was Roman Catholic. Both of his wives died young in Sátoraljaújhely.

From his first wife, had issue: Ilona Toronyai (Ellen Tornai, who came to America and married John Dennis (Janos Denes).) and Erno Barnabas Toronyai, of whom we know nothing. By is second wife, had issue: John Joseph Torney (Janos Jozsef Toronyai).

On May 28, 1885, Janos set sail alone on the S. S. Rugia, from the Hamburg Port, bound for New York; he arrived in America June 11 that same year. He would have come through Castle Garden, the precursor of Ellis Island, located in Manhattan. Today we know this site as Castle Clinton National Monument. His trade was “tischler,” the German word for carpenter.

(Signature of Janos Tornai)

Janos became known as John Tornai/Torney and settled in Wilmington, Delaware. He took up the trade of cabinet maker, likely a trade acquired from his son-in-law, John Dennis. He worked for PPC Co. located in Wilmington.

Three years after his arrival in America, he had a daughter named Joan, born 1888 to a mother named Fanny. Joan died very young. No additional records for Fanny have yet been recovered.

He died April 5, 1898 in Wilmington, New Castle County, Delaware from Chronic Gastritis. He was buried April 10^th at Riverview Cemetery in Wilmington. His grave location is: Section 13.5 now 18.5, Lot 1528, Grave 6.

(Riverview Cemetery in Wilmington DE; Photo of Section where Janos is buried.)

Riverview Cemetery was neglected for many years, but came into the hands of the Friends of Historic Riverview Cemetery in the early 2000s with hopes of restoring the cemetery to its former glory. I had the pleasure of visiting the cemetery but was unable to locate the grave as the majority of headstones have been lost in the earth. Part of the restoring process is digging up the headstones. At this time it’s unclear if Janos has a marker or not. No other relatives appear to be buried with him.

John Joseph Torney (Janos Jozsef Toronyai) was born November 13, 1881 in Sátoraljaújhely, Borsod-Abaúj-Zemplén, Hungary. He was the son of Janos Toronyai and Maria Lebozsa. Immigration records have not yet come to light, though we know from the 1900 US Census that he arrived in America. He would have come through Castle Garden in Manhattan, New York in 1887; he was six years old.

John was raised in the home of his sister and brother-in-law, John and Ellen Dennis. The family spent a few years in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania before relocating to Wilmington, Delaware. He was a general laborer in the first years of his working life.

On September 19, 1906, John married Elva May Maloney, daughter of John J. Maloney of New Castle DE and Margaret “Maggie” A. Cooper of the Camden NJ Cooper clan. The wedding took place at the Asbury Methodist Episcopal Church in Wilmington, DE; 3^rd and Walnut Streets.

(John Joseph Torney & Elva May Maloney)

John and Elva had four children: Elva (1907-1992), George J. (1909-1909), John Joseph (1910-1959), and my Grandfather Harry Edward (1911-1966).

The family moved to Camden City, Camden, New Jersey; a bustling industrial hub in the early 1900s. John became a Dispatcher for the Pennsylvania Railroad. His family lived comfortably. John was fortunate never to see military action, though he filed application for both WWI and WWII.

John was the first Toronyai in my line to own a home in America and achieve the American Dream.

He became a widower in 1954 and moved in with his daughter, Elva, who lived nearby in Camden, herself never marrying. Retired from the Railroad, John died May 13, 1960 at Jefferson Medical Hospital in Philadelphia from a subarachnoid hemorrhage due to hypertension.

John was buried on May 17 at New Camden Cemetery in Camden, New Jersey. It is assumed he is buried with his wife and other family members and I’m awaiting callbacks for additional info through the proper channels.

Harry Edward Torney was born in Camden City, Camden, New Jersey on November 23, 1911 to parents John J. Torney and Elva May Maloney. As a youth, he worked in the Camden shipyard and later became a “dye and press” worker. His highest level of education was the first year of High School.

Harry lived with his parents until his marriage on June 1, 1935, to Edna Meta Buss of Camden NJ, daughter of German immigrants William John Buss and Bertha Schieman. The wedding took place at the Epiphany Evangelist Lutheran Church in Camden, the same church where all their children were baptized.

(Harry Edward Torney & Edna Meta Buss)

 

(Harry Edward Torney)                               (Edna Mets Buss)

Known children of Harry and Edna are: twins Elva May (Living) and Elvera (1936-2936), Jane Louise (1937-1995), twins Doris Meta (1939-1991) and Ruth Mabel (Living), Harry Edward II (1940-2010), Nancy Lee (Living), George John (Living), David Carl (1947-2007), and my father Edward Paul (1951-1992).

In the same year of his marriage, Harry bought and owned a house on Ironsides Road in Camden. In the 1950s the family bought a new house in Cherry Hill NJ on Hassemer Avenue. Harry became a firefighter at Cherry Hill Fire Station #2 located near his home at the Rt. 38 & Rt. 70 circle. The family maintains that he helped build the station, which was established in 1927 but Erlton Fire Company No. 1.

(Fireman Harry Edward Torney, Cherry Hill Station #2)

Harry suffered from premature aging and hypertension, a trait that seemingly runs in the family. On April 2, 1966 he died of a heart attack at work; on the fire engine enroute to a fire. His widow, Edna, told that he threw himself from the engine so his men could continue on to the fire, and he died on the side of the road. It is possible that he rose to Fire Chief within the department; I’m currently in pursuit of information to substantiate this claim.

(Headstone of Harry Torney & Edna Buss; Bethel Memorial Cemetery in Pennsauken NJ)

Harry was buried in April 1966 in Bethel Memorial Cemetery located in Pennsauken, Camden County, New Jersey. He rests alongside his wife, Edna, and son Edward.

Edward Paul Torney was born February 10, 1951 in Camden, New Jersey to parents Harry Edward Torney I and Edna Meta Buss, both of Camden NJ. He was raised on Hassemer Avenue in Cherry Hill NJ and was the youngest of ten children, nine of which survived to adulthood.

Edward spent his youth trapping, hunting and fishing, and had a strong love of the outdoors. He had an interest in muscle cars and took part of the Greaser revival of the 1970s. He was the first of my Tornai/Torney line to finish high school, and graduated in the Class of 1969 from Cherry Hill West HS.

(Edward Paul Torney, Class of 1969 Cherry Hill West HS)

(Eddie Torney at Peace)

By trade, he was a carpenter. He worked for numerous contractors with an aim to be a self contractor. Additionally, he did roofing, dry-wall and painting. He was a skilled craftsman.

On September 17, 1977 he married Elizabeth Ann Taylor, daughter of Davey Lee Taylor of Kentucky and Dorothy Berghaier of Maple Shade NJ. The marriage took place at the Torney home on Hassemer Avenue.

(Edward Paul Torney & Elizabeth Ann Taylor)

He had a grand interest in traveling. Edward and his wife lived in Texas and Maine for periods of time, but came back to New Jersey for the birth of their only child, a daughter, Crystal Anne Torney (Me). Once more they moved to Maine, coming back to New Jersey after nearly two years. His marriage deteriorated, ending in divorce by 1989.

Edward moved home, sick with complications of hypertension and struggled to keep working. The last years of his life were spent in a vicious custody battle.

(Headstone of Edward Torney; Bethel Memorial Cemetery in Pennsauken, NJ)

Edward died October 20, 1992 at work in Mullica Hill, New Jersey. He suffered a massive heart attack due to extreme hypertension. He is buried alongside his parents in Bethel Memorial Cemetery in Pennsauken, Camden County, New Jersey.

Crystal Anne Torney (Me) was born January 1, 1983 in Camden, New Jersey; daughter of Edward Paul Torney and Elizabeth Ann Taylor, both of Cherry Hill NJ. As a young child she lived in Berlin NJ, Maple Shade NJ, Ocean City NJ and Gray, Maine with her parents.

Her parents separated and she moved to Marlton NJ to live with her maternal grandmother, Dorothy Taylor nee Berghaier. Her parents divorced in 1989, and Crystal remained with her grandmother until her mother bought a house in Marlton NJ and remarried. She lost her father in 1992.

Crystal lived in Marlton NJ with her mother and step-father Charles B. Murray until the age of fifteen when she removed in Shamong NJ to live with her grandmother, Dorothy. At age sixteen, she left high school and received her Diploma through Triton High School in Glendora NJ the same year. By age eighteen, she received a Certificate of Completion for Fiction Writing through Long Ridge University in CT. Over the years, she studied English, Philosophy, and History at Camden County College, Burlington County College, and various online Universities.

 

Crystal published her first novel in 2008, with poems, short stories, and articles scattered within online and paper publications, including the Temple Column of Temple University in Philadelphia PA, and The Voice and Runepebble newsletters issued by the Asatru Folk Assembly.