PRACTICAL GENETIC GENEALOGY
Coordinator: Blaine Bettinger, Ph.D., J.D.
Additional Instructors:
- Dana Leeds
- Paula Williams
Held July 9-14, 2023, in-person at La Roche University, Pittsburgh, PA. Registration Information.
DNA is an exciting new component of genealogical research that helps us explore and unravel our family mysteries. As the size of the genealogy DNA databases grows (currently more than 20 million people have tested!) our ability to examine genealogical questions using DNA evidence also grows. However, just like any other type of evidence, DNA test results do not magically solve our answers. It requires hard work and an understanding of DNA testing and results to ensure that we are properly interpreting the results and properly incorporating them into our documentary research.
In this class you will learn from some of the best genealogists in the field of DNA evidence in a setting that allows for interaction, hands-on practice, and cooperative learning. Together we will examine the fundamental aspects of the different types of DNA evidence (atDNA, mtDNA, Y-DNA, and X-DNA), the benefits and limitations of ethnicity estimates, how to navigate the DNA testing company websites, and how to properly use the many third-party DNA tools that are available, among other topics. Throughout the course we will also introduce important themes such as DNA standards and the Genealogical Proof Standard, as well as privacy and ethical issues related to DNA.
Prerequisites: Students must have general familiarity with traditional genealogical principles and research, such as researching a family tree using online and offline sources. Having access to DNA tests will enhance understanding of the course topics and allow an immediate opportunity to practice what has been learned. It will also enable you to do the homework (some of which may require online access & research).
Course Requirements:
Students will need a computer to access the virtual class. If the student wishes to communicate with others and/or ask questions live, the student will need a microphone (via their computer or a headset). Laptops are preferred over tablets, but most tablets will be able to perform the required tasks.
MONDAY
8:30 AM – Course Introduction (Bettinger)
A brief introduction to the instructors, the course, course objectives, and student activities.
9:00 AM – Orientation & Fundamentals: Introduction to DNA (Bettinger)
Basic DNA inheritance patterns are described in an easy-to-understand way to lay a foundation for later sessions. Inheritance of all four types of DNA are covered: Y (direct paternal line), X (unique inheritance for males and females), mitochondrial (direct maternal line), and autosomal (inherited from all ancestral lines).
10:45 AM – Fundamentals: Using mtDNA (Bettinger, formerly Stanbary)
Mitochondrial DNA inheritance patterns are reviewed with tips on choosing who should be tested. Case studies demonstrate the use of mtDNA to analyze whether results support or refute a common ancestor, whether a specific ethnicity may be present in the direct maternal line, and the differences between Y-DNA and mtDNA as a tool to find cousins in the testing company database.
1:30 PM – Fundamentals: Using X-DNA (Bettinger, formerly Stanbary)
X-DNA inheritance patterns are reviewed with tips on choosing who should be tested, as well as X-DNA limitations and analysis. Case studies demonstrate the use of X-DNA to examine whether results support or refute a common ancestor.
3:15 PM – Fundamentals: Using Y-DNA (Williams)
Y-DNA inheritance patterns are reviewed with tips on choosing who should be tested. The difference between Y-STR and Y-SNP testing is explained, along with tips for knowing when to take which type of test. Examples demonstrate the use of Y-DNA to analyze whether results support or refute a common ancestor, whether a specific ethnicity may be present in the direct paternal line, and how to determine when additional testing is indicated.
4:30 PM Homework Session (Bettinger)
A review of the previous night’s homework and an introduction to homework that reviews and reinforces the day’s concepts and material.
TUESDAY
8:45 AM – Homework Review (Bettinger)
A review of the previous night’s homework, with a Q&A session.
9:00 AM – Fundamentals: Introduction to atDNA (Bettinger)
Autosomal DNA inheritance patterns are reviewed with tips on choosing who should be tested, along with some of the applications of atDNA. Case studies will demonstrate the use of atDNA results to support or refute a common ancestor, how far back in time the common ancestor may be, and other applications of atDNA.
10:45 AM – Company Websites and Tools I (Williams)
In this session, we will learn how to properly and efficiently navigate the testing company websites, and how to use the tools that they’ve made available to us.
1:30 PM – Company Websites and Tools II (Williams)
We’ll continue the previous session by reviewing the company websites and tools.
3:15 PM – Are You Doing Everything? (Bettinger)
In this lecture, we will examine numerous ways you can use a match’s profile to identify who they might be.
4:30 PM Homework Session (Bettinger)
An introduction to the homework that reviews and reinforces the day’s concepts and material.
WEDNESDAY
8:45 AM – Homework Review (Bettinger)
A review of the previous night’s homework, with a Q&A session.
9:00 AM – Introduction to Third-Party Tools I (Williams)
In this session we will introduce you to some of the most important and useful third-party tools available to genealogists using DNA evidence.
10:45 AM – Introduction to Third-Party Tools II (Bettinger)
We will build on the previous session by continuing to review the most important and useful third- party tools available.
1:30 PM – Using Shared Matching – Part I (Bettinger)
Shared matching is the most powerful tool that the testing companies provide. It allows us to view connections between matches to provide clues about how we are related to these matches, and to generate clues about genealogical mysteries. In this session we’ll examine the benefits and limitations of shared matching, and how to use shared matching in your research.
3:15 PM – Using Shared Matching – Part II (The Leeds Method) (Leeds)
Expanding on the previous session, we’ll learn more about implementing shared match clustering. Dana Leeds, creator of the Leeds Method of shared match clustering, will take us through the method and how to use it to extract genealogical information.
4:30 PM Homework Session (Bettinger)
A review of the previous night’s homework and an introduction to homework that reviews and reinforces the day’s concepts and material.
THURSDAY
8:45 AM – Homework Review (Bettinger)
A review of the previous night’s homework, with a Q&A session.
9:00 AM – Fundamentals: Introduction to Ethnicity Analysis (Bettinger)
This session examines the various methods by which ethnicity estimates are generated by the testing companies. We will examine some of the limitations and benefits of ethnicity estimates, including how we can use them for our genealogical research.
10:45 AM – DNA Standards and the GPS (Bettinger, formerly Stanbary)
When should you consider DNA evidence? How important is DNA evidence to your genealogical research? DNA alone can prove two people are related but cannot prove who the common ancestor is or what the exact relationship is. DNA will not be useful as evidence for every genealogical research question, while for others DNA evidence will be bedrock upon which a soundly reasoned, coherently written conclusion rests.
1:30 PM – Chromosome Mapping and DNA Painter (Bettinger)
Chromosome mapping – assigning segments of our DNA to our ancestors – is an important aspect of DNA evidence. In this session we’ll review the concepts behind chromosome mapping and introduce you to DNA Painter, an essential third-party tool for mapping.
3:15 PM – Privacy and Ethics (Bettinger)
Surprise results are increasingly common as more people test their DNA. This session includes discussions on cultural attitudes to DNA testing, privacy, and ethical issues every genealogist should consider before sharing genetic information or asking relatives to test their DNA.
FRIDAY
9:00 AM – The Danger of Distant Matches (Bettinger)
Those distant genetic matches are exciting, but they can be dangerous! Evidence shows that distant matches sharing a small amount of DNA are often false positives and fail to match either of our parents. Together will examine the problems that can arise when reviewing distant genetic matches at your testing company.
10:45 AM – The Helen Marley Story (Bettinger)
A case study identifying the mother of my adopted great-grandmother, born Helen Marley Johnson. Although no single record identifies her mother, indirect evidence and DNA testing makes the case.