When our families scattered across the globe, they often left close family behind. The family connections were lost over the subsequent generations. Now through family history research and DNA we are reconnecting with the branches of our family tree as shown in these case studies.
“Scattered Leaves: Reconnecting Family Branches with DNA” is a practical, story-driven webinar led by professional genealogist Fiona Brooker for Legacy Family Tree Webinars. Using real migration-era examples (especially the “Down Under” experience of families dispersing across continents), the session shows how autosomal DNA can help rebuild lost connections—while still relying on solid documentary research to keep conclusions grounded. The webinar is especially relevant for genealogists facing “big jumps” in match lists, incomplete trees, or branches that vanished after emigration, war, or simple loss of contact.
Turn overwhelming match lists into workable family groups: The webinar demonstrates how clustering (including color/label systems and the Leeds Method) helps transform thousands of matches into meaningful sets that point toward shared ancestors—making it easier to decide where to investigate next.
Use platform features—but treat them as clues, not proof: Tools such as Ancestry ThruLines and MyHeritage Theories of Family Relativity are presented as strong leads when supported by breadth across multiple descendants, consistent trees, and corroborating records—rather than shortcuts to accept blindly.
Blend DNA with “traditional” records to reconnect scattered branches: The case studies highlight how certificates with richer local detail, newspaper notices/obituaries, and civil index searching can reveal siblings who moved to Canada, Australia, England, and beyond—sometimes unlocking the exact branch a DNA cluster was hinting at.
Watching the full webinar is worth it for the step-by-step workflow choices, the decision points that prevent “wishful linking,” and the concrete examples of how small clues (a place, a middle name, an unexpected record hint, or a non-response to a message) can change the research path. View the complete session to see the full sequence of methods in action, then dive into the syllabus to pick up the included worksheets and recommended resources—ideal for applying the same process to stubborn brick walls and newly discovered DNA cousins.
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Syllabus
Fiona Brooker, thank you for a very interesting and informative presentation. I really appreciate you explaining the logical methodology you use in finding descendants of your long lost relatives, even those who were previously unknown. This webinar will serve as a point of reference and a guide as I research my own family lines.
Very well done and interesting webinar! Thank you so much for sharing with us today! 🙂
Fiona’s presentation offered a refreshing perspective on DNA research from an Australian genealogist. Her examples demonstrated useful techniques for reconnecting family branches using both Ancestry and MyHeritage. The family stories and photos she shared were fascinating and really brought her research to life. Seeing how DNA research strategies apply across different countries was valuable, and she shared interesting approaches that can be adapted to other research scenarios.
Fiona gave some terrific suggestions to revisit ancestors on DNA to get some more leads. Also, read my messages to people and make sure I have completed info to my tree. Be sure I have read all messages to me.
Wow! Incredible! Even though I know someone in my paternal line was in South America, I’d never thought about where other family lines might have migrated beyond the US–eye-opening presentation!
I love the non-US and world-wide focus. My husband and I have lines that went to Australia and NZ as well as to Canada where we are so I really related to it. I’ve been fortunate to find lots of people to test. Not enough presenters remind people to do more testing.
Fabulous webinar – a very clear presentation with emphasis on methods to identify connections with living relatives in other parts of the world, the people who share DNA. Thanks, Fiona.
Great overview. I’ve recently been reaching across the pond to Europe for sources and connections but Fiona’s presentation made me think I should start investigating my New Zealand/Australian matches.