One-stop shop for learning about DNA testing, whether you’re a beginner or an expert on DNA. Topics include Y-DNA, mt-DNA, Autosomal DNA, third-party tools, methodology, organization, and much more.
Foundations in DNA 2 of 5: Understanding and Using Y-DNA and mtDNA
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.
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.
Foundations in DNA 1 of 5: Introduction to DNA and Genetic Genealogy
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.
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.
An introduction to Y-DNA, mitochondrial DNA, and autosomal DNA testing, including how each of these types of DNA are inherited, how they are tested, who you should have tested, and where you should purchase testing.
An introduction to Y-DNA, mitochondrial DNA, and autosomal DNA testing, including how each of these types of DNA are inherited, how they are tested, who you should have tested, and where you should purchase testing.
A look at how Y-DNA can be used for genealogical research, with examples, and a demonstration of how to review your Y-DNA test results at Family Tree DNA.
A look at how Y-DNA can be used for genealogical research, with examples, and a demonstration of how to review your Y-DNA test results at Family Tree DNA.
A look at how mtDNA can be used for genealogical research, with examples, and a demonstration of how to review your mtDNA test results at Family Tree DNA.
A look at how mtDNA can be used for genealogical research, with examples, and a demonstration of how to review your mtDNA test results at Family Tree DNA.
A look at how atDNA can be used for genealogical research, with examples, and a demonstration of how to review your atDNA test results at 23andMe, AncestryDNA, and Family Tree DNA.
A look at how atDNA can be used for genealogical research, with examples, and a demonstration of how to review your atDNA test results at 23andMe, AncestryDNA, and Family Tree DNA.
A very basic introduction to DNA and how it can be used in combination with traditional genealogical research. Together we will examine the answers to questions like: "why should you test your DNA?" and "how do I get started with DNA?"
A very basic introduction to DNA and how it can be used in combination with traditional genealogical research. Together we will examine the answers to questions like: "why should you test your DNA?" and "how do I get started with DNA?"
Foundations in DNA 3 of 5: Understanding Autosomal DNA
Wed, June 4 2025: 18:00 UTC
Autosomal DNA (atDNA) is a powerful tool for genealogists, offering a window into your broader family tree. This lecture explores the science of atDNA inheritance, its strengths and limitations, and practical ways to apply it to your genealogical research. Discover how atDNA can help you identify unknown ancestors, connect with relatives, and solve family mysteries.
Autosomal DNA (atDNA) is a powerful tool for genealogists, offering a window into your broader family tree. This lecture explores the science of atDNA inheritance, its strengths and limitations, and practical ways to apply it to your genealogical research. Discover how atDNA can help you identify unknown ancestors, connect with relatives, and solve family mysteries.
Rewriting the Tree of Humankind: The Million Mito Project – What Is It, How We Did It, and What It Means To You
Fri, June 6 2025: 18:00 UTC
The mitochondrial tree of humanity has been rewritten, connecting all of us more closely than ever before on the new Mitotree. Everyone receives mitochondrial DNA only from their mother, who receives it from her mother, and so forth, all the way back in time to Mitochondrial Eve. Mitochondrial DNA is never admixed with the DNA of the other parent, so you never have to sort out which lines it comes from. We are all leaves on the twigs on the branches of the tree of humankind. The mitochondrial tree had not been updated since 2016, but now, with more than a Million samples to work with, 50 times more than before, the tree structure has been expanded eight-fold by combining samples from academic publications, ancient DNA, public sources and testers at FamilyTreeDNA. The new Mitotree and tools provide information never before available to genealogists about their matrilineal lineages. In addition to the vastly expanded genetic tree, FamilyTreeDNA has rolled out the companion MitoDiscover, a dozen fascinating chapters in your mitochondrial book. As a Million Mito Team member, Roberta will explain the challenges we overcame to create the tree of humanity – and how it’s useful to genealogists. All genealogists can benefit from the results of the Million Mito Project, because everyone has mitochondrial DNA that holds keys to information never before available! Let those brick walls fall!!!
The mitochondrial tree of humanity has been rewritten, connecting all of us more closely than ever before on the new Mitotree. Everyone receives mitochondrial DNA only from their mother, who receives it from her mother, and so forth, all the way back in time to Mitochondrial Eve. Mitochondrial DNA is never admixed with the DNA of the other parent, so you never have to sort out which lines it comes from. We are all leaves on the twigs on the branches of the tree of humankind. The mitochondrial tree had not been updated since 2016, but now, with more than a Million samples to work with, 50 times more than before, the tree structure has been expanded eight-fold by combining samples from academic publications, ancient DNA, public sources and testers at FamilyTreeDNA. The new Mitotree and tools provide information never before available to genealogists about their matrilineal lineages. In addition to the vastly expanded genetic tree, FamilyTreeDNA has rolled out the companion MitoDiscover, a dozen fascinating chapters in your mitochondrial book. As a Million Mito Team member, Roberta will explain the challenges we overcame to create the tree of humanity – and how it’s useful to genealogists. All genealogists can benefit from the results of the Million Mito Project, because everyone has mitochondrial DNA that holds keys to information never before available! Let those brick walls fall!!!
Family Legacies Reclaimed: “Building Family Ties Through Genetic Genealogy”
Fri, June 13 2025: 18:00 UTC
In this presentation, Adwoa Ulzen-Setrakian, founder of spanDNA and Human Temple Therapeutics LLC, explores how genetic genealogy has become a powerful tool for families of African descent to reclaim their histories and restore connections severed by displacement, migration, and historical traumas. Through a family-centered approach, Adwoa demonstrates how commercial DNA testing can do more than uncover personal ancestry—it can reconstruct the bonds of kinship across generations and continents. Drawing from real-life case studies, Adwoa will share stories of how African-descended families are using genetic genealogy to facilitate reconnecting with lost relatives, restoring collective memory, and explore opportunities for healing from intergenerational wounds. Attendees will learn about the unique challenges faced by these families, especially when traditional records and oral histories fall short, and how spanDNA’s method helps bridge the gaps using DNA analysis, compassionate research, and a collaborative, community-based approach. A key focus will be the culmination of these efforts at gatherings such as the upcoming Transatlantic Genealogy Summit 2025, where families who have reconnected through DNA will come together to celebrate their shared heritage, foster deeper connections, and continue building their family legacies. Attendees will walk away with: Insight into how genetic genealogy can be a transformative tool for family legacy-building, particularly within the African diaspora. Practical knowledge of how to use commercial DNA testing platforms to connect with genetic relatives and uncover ancestral histories. A better understanding of how family reunions and summits, such as the Transatlantic Genealogy Summit, can serve as a powerful culmination of genealogical research and DNA connections. Real-life examples of success stories and the emotional impact of restoring long-lost family ties. This presentation may inspire families to see themselves as protagonists in their own stories, capable of uncovering veiled memories and reclaiming their place within the larger, interconnected human family.
In this presentation, Adwoa Ulzen-Setrakian, founder of spanDNA and Human Temple Therapeutics LLC, explores how genetic genealogy has become a powerful tool for families of African descent to reclaim their histories and restore connections severed by displacement, migration, and historical traumas. Through a family-centered approach, Adwoa demonstrates how commercial DNA testing can do more than uncover personal ancestry—it can reconstruct the bonds of kinship across generations and continents. Drawing from real-life case studies, Adwoa will share stories of how African-descended families are using genetic genealogy to facilitate reconnecting with lost relatives, restoring collective memory, and explore opportunities for healing from intergenerational wounds. Attendees will learn about the unique challenges faced by these families, especially when traditional records and oral histories fall short, and how spanDNA’s method helps bridge the gaps using DNA analysis, compassionate research, and a collaborative, community-based approach. A key focus will be the culmination of these efforts at gatherings such as the upcoming Transatlantic Genealogy Summit 2025, where families who have reconnected through DNA will come together to celebrate their shared heritage, foster deeper connections, and continue building their family legacies. Attendees will walk away with: Insight into how genetic genealogy can be a transformative tool for family legacy-building, particularly within the African diaspora. Practical knowledge of how to use commercial DNA testing platforms to connect with genetic relatives and uncover ancestral histories. A better understanding of how family reunions and summits, such as the Transatlantic Genealogy Summit, can serve as a powerful culmination of genealogical research and DNA connections. Real-life examples of success stories and the emotional impact of restoring long-lost family ties. This presentation may inspire families to see themselves as protagonists in their own stories, capable of uncovering veiled memories and reclaiming their place within the larger, interconnected human family.
Shared matching is an essential strategy for tackling genealogical puzzles and breaking through brick walls. In this lecture, we’ll demonstrate how to use shared matches effectively, focusing on strategies to solve mysteries related to ancestors from the 1900s, 1800s, and beyond. Learn how this technique can reveal hidden connections and strengthen your research.
Shared matching is an essential strategy for tackling genealogical puzzles and breaking through brick walls. In this lecture, we’ll demonstrate how to use shared matches effectively, focusing on strategies to solve mysteries related to ancestors from the 1900s, 1800s, and beyond. Learn how this technique can reveal hidden connections and strengthen your research.
Our DNA matches can’t really help us if we don’t know who they are. But we also need to ask ourselves what the match is telling us and what evidence it can provide for our genealogical research.
Our DNA matches can’t really help us if we don’t know who they are. But we also need to ask ourselves what the match is telling us and what evidence it can provide for our genealogical research.
Genealogists who overlook or underutilize the MyHeritage DNA test miss out on many great tools. Using examples from his personal account, Richard will demonstrate these features and show how they can be used productively by genealogists, adoptees, and anyone curious about their family history or ethnic background.
Genealogists who overlook or underutilize the MyHeritage DNA test miss out on many great tools. Using examples from his personal account, Richard will demonstrate these features and show how they can be used productively by genealogists, adoptees, and anyone curious about their family history or ethnic background.
Foundations in DNA 5 of 5: Understanding Ethnicity Estimates
Wed, October 1 2025: 18:00 UTC
Ethnicity estimates can provide a fascinating glimpse into your ancestral origins, but understanding their scope and limitations is key. This session examines how testing companies generate ethnicity estimates, what they reveal, and how they can be used in genealogical research. Discover how to interpret these estimates in the context of your family history and integrate them with other tools for a more complete picture of your heritage.
Ethnicity estimates can provide a fascinating glimpse into your ancestral origins, but understanding their scope and limitations is key. This session examines how testing companies generate ethnicity estimates, what they reveal, and how they can be used in genealogical research. Discover how to interpret these estimates in the context of your family history and integrate them with other tools for a more complete picture of your heritage.
Geoff’s Got ANOTHER Brick Wall! What Can DNA Do for It?
Wed, October 8 2025: 18:00 UTC
Geoff Rasmussen has never used DNA on his most famous case: Eleanor Huffman (Asa Clark Brown’s wife). It’s a SERIOUS brick wall. BUT: his grandmother AND her sister have taken DNA tests, and Eleanor is their 2x great grandfather. What light can their DNA test results shed? DNA expert Diahan Southard gives him advice you may be able to apply to your own brick wall, too.
Geoff Rasmussen has never used DNA on his most famous case: Eleanor Huffman (Asa Clark Brown’s wife). It’s a SERIOUS brick wall. BUT: his grandmother AND her sister have taken DNA tests, and Eleanor is their 2x great grandfather. What light can their DNA test results shed? DNA expert Diahan Southard gives him advice you may be able to apply to your own brick wall, too.
¡Eureka! Confirmación del Lineaje Ancestral: DNA and Documents Prove a Mexican Ancestral Line (a 2025 Reisinger Lecture)
Fri, October 17 2025: 22:00 UTC
Karen will illustrate the genetic confirmation of a Mexican ancestral line that goes back four generations to a small town in Guanajuato, Mexico. Integration of evidence from DNA tests and original records meets the Genealogical Proof Standard. Lecture in English using Mexican records.
Karen will illustrate the genetic confirmation of a Mexican ancestral line that goes back four generations to a small town in Guanajuato, Mexico. Integration of evidence from DNA tests and original records meets the Genealogical Proof Standard. Lecture in English using Mexican records.
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