DNA Testing

Discover how DNA testing can transform your family history research! This foundational lecture introduces the core principles of genetic genealogy, explaining the types of DNA tests available (autosomal, Y-DNA, and mitochondrial), what they can reveal, and how they complement traditional genealogical methods. Learn how genetic insights can connect you to your ancestors and provide new avenues to explore your family’s story.

We all know that genetic genealogy has transformed the way we perform family history research, but how does it actually work? Join us as we learn about the underlying technology and processes that can transform your spit sample into informative reports and match lists facilitating genealogical discovery.

Pedigree triangulation is a game-changer for tackling genealogical brick walls, especially in the challenging pre-1850 era. This presentation offers a comprehensive look at this key methodology, illustrated through a real-life case study of proving the father of a woman’s 1828 birth. Learn to create genetic networks, group DNA matches, and apply key pedigree triangulation steps to break through long-standing brick walls. Discover practical strategies for integrating DNA analysis with documentary evidence, constructing revealing family trees, and creating clear genealogical diagrams.

This captivating webinar presents real-life stories of individuals who took a DNA test and received answers to questions they never asked. Each story opens the door to unexpected revelations, presenting profound ethical and moral dilemmas, the complex emotions and challenging decisions people need to make when unexpected information is revealed. How far should one go to uncover the truth? This webinar will echo long after it ends. Don’t miss out on these gripping tales of DNA surprises.

MyHeritage DNA offers a key feature missing from its main competitors: a chromosome browser. That tool lets you view the DNA segments that you share with your matches. Export your matching segment data to DNA Painter and you can determine exactly what DNA you inherited from the ancestors you share with your DNA match. MyHeritage DNA even accepts DNA results from other DNA testing companies, so you can import that information into MyHeritage DNA and get matching segment data to use with DNA Painter. In this webinar, you’ll get step-by-step instructions.

This talk gives an overview of the investigative genetic genealogy process: what it is, where it is used and the basics of how it is undertaken. Nathan briefly discusses some real-life key cases that have used IGG and then moves on to his own fictional writing, focussing on the Venator Cold Case series, which uses this methodology to catch serial killers. He explains his meticulous research process, the experts that he consults and his process of writing.

This case study illustrates how four simple words in a newspaper notice and DNA evidence became the key to unlocking Great Granny’s Irish roots. The research journey began with the cryptic phrase “Toowoomba papers please copy” in an 1886 death notice. This small clue directed the research to the Hanlon family in another location hundreds of kilometres away, with DNA evidence crucial to confirm the connection back to Kilkenny, Ireland. The presentation highlights the importance of scrutinising every detail in historical documents, no matter how small, and explores techniques for following unexpected leads across disparate locations, combining traditional research with DNA analysis.

Y-DNA and mtDNA have revolutionized genealogical research, breaking through barriers that once seemed insurmountable. This session dives into the unique inheritance patterns of Y-DNA and mtDNA, showing how these tests trace ancient ancestry and identify relationships both close and distant. Gain insights into their application for solving lineage mysteries and uncovering ancestral connections.

To introduce the concept of haplogroups to beginners, explaining what they are, how they are inherited, and what they reveal about ancient ancestry and human migration patterns. The session aims to demystify the complex terminology and provide practical insights into how haplogroups can be used in genetic genealogy and guide participants to find their own haplogroup.