John Burkholder

We didn't have to wait as long as I thought to find out if I was a DNA match to my brother and sisters. My nephew found a way to compare my test with his even with them both being done through separate sources. We are a match. What it also determined is the Mexican heritage I show on my DNA is from my birth-Father. So we are now focusing in on my new cousins family. The half-brother is a prime suspect. Once she makes contact, I am hoping he will be willing to take a test. Another waiting game begins. 

Now that I have found most of my birth family, I am noticing some changes in myself that are both concerning and reassuring.  Let's start with the concerning bit. I used to have a drive to always show what I can do, be the best at whatever I focus on, and constantly expand my knowledge to reduce my weaknesses. I would think up ideas on how to change the world to be a better place, write down the business plan, the process to implement, etc. I am constantly looking at the next technology leap and seeing how I can fit into it to help move it forward. Initiative was never a challenge.  Yesterday, Andi noticed I was staring out the window of the restaurant as I had done many time before and asked what I was thinking about. My response was "nothing". It was that one point in time that had not only surprised myself, but put me into a panic. When I was asked that question previously, I was thinking of a business plan, or how something outside was interacting with something else....

Have you ever watched those TV shows where there is an underlying theme running through the smaller episodes of the show? Well, for the past 49 seasons I had a single storyline running involving my adoption. This weekend, that storyline is coming to an end. We have about 8 more weeks of episodes, but I have finally found and connected with my birth family.  After the wild goose chases of Loren Stone, Linda Ashlock and the like, I finally came across the missing pieces of the puzzle. Then after stalking a few of their open Facebook profiles, I had a very strong feeling I finally found them. All of them were on Facebook.  I sent friend requests, Instagram requests, Pinterest and even used a business web form. It was Facebook messenger for the win. My sister saw the message of "please accept the friend request, I think I am your brother". She called my brother who grabbed the laptop out of his wife's hand and sent me a message to give him a call. He combed through other page...

So the search continues for the birth parents and siblings. I think I narrowed down the birth family of baby boy stone born October 18, 1966 in Los Angeles county, CA. Is it a coincidence that I was born on the same day in the same county and the birth certificate did not get a name for the child (adoptions don't). Now the hard part... connecting. Sent Facebook requests and hoping one of them connects. If they connect, we will need them to get a DNA test done. If they do it on 23andme.com, it will automatically let us know if my birth-mother is actually connected to my first cousin's father. I wait.

I had a bit of a shock a couple days ago from an email through 23andme.com. For those who are aware, 23andme will do your genetic test and provide you details like ancestry, likely eye color, etc. It is when I found out I was not who I was told for my entire life ( http://www.burkholder.co/2014/04/rebranding-my-life.html ). That being said, another big change is happening thanks to 23andme...I have a first cousin. My genetic first cousin reached out to me on Tuesday asking me how we are connected. I gave her the entire adoption story and informed her that I have no other real data other than that. This genetic link is the first. She has started asking her parents about her uncles and aunts trying to determine how we are connected. Having quite a few on both parent's side of the family, it appears we may need to have them take some tests to narrow down which side has the relation. Let's just say, I am going crazy with anticipation. A first cousin... wow. 6.78% of our DNA is ...

I have always been a SharePoint guy.  I have spoken at SharePoint Saturdays and user groups all over the US.  Now that I am a full time employee at NORC, I am being saddled with all portals and collaboration tools to include... Liferay. What is it? What does it mean?  Liferay markets itself as the best portal. Wow. Bold statement. Gartner places them in the top right quadrant repeatedly so I guess they have that going for them. To better learn and understand this product, I am attending the Liferay Symposium in Chicago. It is Liferays big yearly conference featuring the best and brightest of Liferay.  Keep in mind, I have attended many SharePoint events ranging from SharePoint conferences by Microsoft to volunteer run SharePoint Saturdays. These are my observations after 1/2 day: "Over 600 attendees" is more a SharePoint Saturday than a global product conference. It is true the conference brought people from all over the globe.  Sausage festival. Do you think pa...

Most of my life has been spent on technology. Having a hobby has not really been a priority.  But I have found myself taking photos with my phone of Chicago.  Andi had been telling me to set up an Instagram account so I can share the photos. Sure... Why not?  Look me up. John.burkholder