Ramapo College Investigative Genetic Genealogy Center

If you're headed to Advocacy Con next month, don't miss our speaker Julian Rebelo as he discusses IGG and the unhoused. Still on the fence about attending? You can use our discount code RAMAPO10 for 10% off your ticket!

Our thoughts are with the family of Alan Don Bishop, who has been identified after 32 years known only as "Carson City John Doe". Our team, along with the Carson City Sheriff's Office and The Retired Investigators Guild identified Mr. Bishop as a candidate after only a few hours of genealogy research — a true testament to the power of investigative genetic genealogy. We thank Astrea Forensics for their development of a genotype profile in this case.

Katie from California has a good reason why the case of Ajo Tattoos John Doe keeps her up at night. She says, "With his estimated age, I know that his immediate family is likely still alive and seeking answers."

Although many cases present roadblocks and challenges, we are thankful to our hardworking volunteers who never give up!

Good morning from our Director of Case Management, Tracie Boyle, who is representing Ramapo College IGG at the Mid-Atlantic Cold Case Homicide Investigators Association (MACCHIA) this week!

Our abstract submission form for is now open! We encourage early submissions as talks are accepted on a rolling basis. Learn more and submit here: https://www.ramapo.edu/igg/conference/submit-an-abstract/

Our casework volunteer Laura, from Ontario, says that a number of Canadian cases keep her up at night. She channels that energy into working hard on our cases at Ramapo -- but she doesn't forget to touch grass in when the going gets tough! Thanks, Laura, for all you do for Ramapo!

We are this close 🤏 to full funding for the exhumation and reburial of the Mecklenburg Boxcar Boy! Can you help us with the final $2,215 left to go? Plus, let us know in the comments why you think historical UHR cases are important 👇
https://host.nxt.blackbaud.com/adaptive-donor-form/?formId=699d295f-ac5e-49be-9df6-83bdbfbd6ded&envid=p-V9uJn52MjkOS4TdHYL0FTA&zone=usa

We are looking forward to speaking at several events this August and September! You can find our team at The International Association for Identification Conference and AHIA - Arizona Homicide Investigators Association in August, then at Advocacy Con and New Jersey State Division of the IAI in September. 🌏

Join us tomorrow for a live online screening of the short film, "Are You My Brother?" followed by a Q&A with Filmmaker Daniel Nelson! Register for the screening by clicking here: 60a2890e-d1eb-44f9-bfc5-e6e570b59836@6f6794c8-78c0-429e-bd54-25839339a05f" rel="ugc" target="_blank">https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/60a2890e-d1eb-44f9-bfc5-e6e570b59836@6f6794c8-78c0-429e-bd54-25839339a05f

Happy Saturday - time for another Ramapo IGG Volunteer Spotlight! Michelle from Fort Worth, Texas has been working on cases at Ramapo since she finished the IGG Certificate Program in Fall 2025. Additionally, she attended Ramapo's IGG Summer Bootcamp in June. Michelle says she loves "working beside dedicated professionals who are committed to learning, collaborating and helping bring answers to families."

Thank you, MIchelle -- we love working with you, too!