Death of Donn Devine, JD, CG Emeritus

Question

I do not know if this was reported earlier. I am an FTDNA Baldwin project member. I just learned that Donn Devine, JD, CG Emeritus, the founder and original administrator of this Baldwin group, died earlier this year at the age of 90. 

I had the privilege of communicating the Donn via email when he explained my brother's DNA findings and indicated that our direct ancestor, Henry Baldwin of Woburn, MA was listed with the 'Connecticut' Baldwins given that they had a 'common' ancestor, Henry Baldwin of Aston Clinton, Bucks, England. I saved my email communications with him and am so very glad I did. Donn was patient, kind and very knowledgeable when it came to genetic genealogy. He 'took on' the FTDNA Baldwin site for his wife, who was descended from the 'Pennsylvania Baldwins.' 

Many of you might recognize Donn's name whether or not you took any 'formal' genealogy or genetic genealogy classes. Donn was one of several individuals who made substantive contributions to the "Genealogy Standards" (2nd Ed.), published by Ancestry.com, 2019. This was required reading for the Boston University Genealogy Principles course I took as well as the Genetic Genealogy course I am currently enrolled in with our Pima County Genealogical Society.

I have found a Wikitree site for 'Donn Devine-127' however it does not appear to be accessible. I believe Donn's Wikitree site should be a Notable and persons with more skill and tenure than I have with WT might add to his profile.

Brigadier General Donn Devine's is on Legacy.com at https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/delawareonline/obituary.aspx?n=brig-gen-donn-devine-de-arng-retired&pid=192860905

I am truly saddened by his death. I cannot tell you how many times I have gone back and ready his emails to me about my brother's DNA and how he so kindly linked the MA Baldwins to the CT Baldwins and beyond. He was clearly a genealogist and a person that we can all emulate. Respectfully, Carol

Comments

Sad news. Thanks for remembering him to us, Carol. He seems to have been an amazing man.

The WikiTree Team has closed his account, converted his profile to "Public" privacy status, and added him to the memorials page at https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Help:Memorials

Answer 1

I do not know if this was reported earlier. I am an FTDNA Baldwin project member. I just learned that Donn Devine, JD, CG Emeritus, the founder and original administrator of this Baldwin group, died earlier this year at the age of 90. 

I had the privilege of communicating the Donn via email when he explained my brother's DNA findings and indicated that our direct ancestor, Henry Baldwin of Woburn, MA was listed with the 'Connecticut' Baldwins given that they had a 'common' ancestor, Henry Baldwin of Aston Clinton, Bucks, England. I saved my email communications with him and am so very glad I did. Donn was patient, kind and very knowledgeable when it came to genetic genealogy. He 'took on' the FTDNA Baldwin site for his wife, who was descended from the 'Pennsylvania Baldwins.' 

Many of you might recognize Donn's name whether or not you took any 'formal' genealogy or genetic genealogy classes. Donn was one of several individuals who made substantive contributions to the "Genealogy Standards" (2nd Ed.), published by Ancestry.com, 2019. This was required reading for the Boston University Genealogy Principles course I took as well as the Genetic Genealogy course I am currently enrolled in with our Pima County Genealogical Society.

I have found a Wikitree site for 'Donn Devine-127' however it does not appear to be accessible. I believe Donn's Wikitree site should be a Notable and persons with more skill and tenure than I have with WT might add to his profile.

Brigadier General Donn Devine's is on Legacy.com at https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/delawareonline/obituary.aspx?n=brig-gen-donn-devine-de-arng-retired&pid=192860905

I am truly saddened by his death. I cannot tell you how many times I have gone back and ready his emails to me about my brother's DNA and how he so kindly linked the MA Baldwins to the CT Baldwins and beyond. He was clearly a genealogist and a person that we can all emulate. Respectfully, Carol

Comments

He helped me also.    I took the YDNA 37  marker test at FTDNA and was put into the Baldwin group and put into Cluster number 4.    He was very nice and helped me a lot.   I'm still not 100 % sure of one generation and exactly how i go back to the William Baldwin from England.

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Hi Jason,

I think the Cluster you are referring to lists the Pennsylvania Baldwins. My brother was listed in the first Cluster, which is the Connecticut group. I'm not sure what to recommend; however, a start might be to look at Charles Candee Baldwin's 1881 Baldwin Genealogy, which he parses into Connecticut, Massachusetts, settlers in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, etc. We are likely all related, but our early ancestors traveled different paths. Know that Baldwin does have some inaccuracies so when you get a basic trail, make sure to source and get feedback from others. Happy searching!

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yes,   i was in the cluster with the 3 Brothers that came to Pennsylvania in 1682.   Thomas,  Francis and John.