Nicole Elder Dyer

About Nicole Elder Dyer

Nicole Dyer is a professional genealogist specializing in Southern United States research and genetic genealogy. She is the creator of FamilyLocket.com and the Research Like a Pro Genealogy Podcast. She co-authored Research Like a Pro: A Genealogist's Guide and Research Like a Pro with DNA and is an instructor for the study groups of the same name. She lectures at conferences and institutes and previously served as the secretary and publicity chair of the Pima County Genealogy Society. Nicole holds a bachelor's degree from Brigham Young University in History Teaching. At Family Locket Genealogists, Nicole is a project manager, editor, and researcher.

The Effect of Pedigree Collapse on DNA Matching: A Case Study

Nov 6, 2022

Pedigree collapse occurs in a person’s family tree if one of their ancestral couples are related to each other. This causes the same ancestors to be repeated in their tree. For example, if a person’s parents are second cousins through their great-grandparents Joseph Dyer and Anna Smith, then Joseph Dyer and Anna Smith appear in the test taker’s pedigree twice. Instead of having 32 unique third-great-grandparents, this test taker has 28 unique third-great-grandparents. These diagrams...

RLP 225: How Multiple Relationships Affect DNA Match Analysis

Oct 31, 2022

Today’s episode of Research Like a Pro is about double cousins. Do you have any? We’ll talk about how double cousins and other relatives with whom you share multiple relationships can affect DNA match analysis and genetic network analysis. Although double 3rd cousins don’t always share an inflated amount of DNA, you can definitely tell they are double cousins in your network analysis. Join us as we discuss these issues. Transcript Nicole (1s): This...

Creating Gephi Network Graphs Part 3: Adjusting the Network Graph

Oct 29, 2022

Would you like an efficient method to find clusters of DNA matches relevant to your research subject? In this series, I’m sharing the steps to create a network graph using the free, open source Gephi application, available for Windows or Mac. I use Gephi to create network graphs of my AncestryDNA matches, but you can use matches from other companies as well. Throughout this series, I will be using my own matches from AncestryDNA, but I...

RLP 224: Finding Your Family in FamilySearch Images

Oct 24, 2022

Today’s episode of Research Like a Pro is about the FamilySearch images page. Camera operators around the world are capturing images of records and they are immediately added to this page. Tune in as Diana and Nicole discuss how to search for relevant images and differences between the images page and the FamilySearch Catalog. Transcript Nicole (1s): This is Research Like a Pro episode 224 Family Search images. Welcome to Research Like a Pro a...

RLP 223: Tracking Research Projects in Airtable

Oct 17, 2022

Today’s episode of Research Like a Pro is about Diana’s new method for tracking research on her ancestors. She shares her Airtable base that has her ancestors, ahnentafel numbers, research status, and reports she has created. Join us as we discuss tracking research projects that you’ve done in an Airtable base. Transcript pNicole (1s): This is research Like a Pro episode 223 tracking projects in air table. Welcome to Research Like a Pro a Genealogy...

RLP 222: Multiple Relationships, Pedigree Collapse and Endogamy

Oct 10, 2022

Today’s episode of Research Like a Pro is about the difference between endogamy, pedigree collapse, and multiple relationships. We discuss examples of each scenario and how it affects DNA matching and cluster analysis. Transcript Nicole (2s): This is Research Like a Pro episode 222 Endogamy, Pedigree collapse and multiple relationships. Welcome to Research Like a Pro a Genealogy Podcast about taking your research to the next level, hosted by Nicole Dyer and Diana Elder accredited...

Creating Network Graphs with Gephi Part 2: Import Spreadsheets and Run Layouts

Oct 8, 2022

RLP 221: Autosomal DNA Coverage – Part 2

Oct 3, 2022

Today’s episode of Research Like a Pro is a case study of how increasing coverage of Barsheba Tharp and Joanna West, Nicole was able to confirm the hypothesis that Joanna was Barsheba’s mother. We talk about the challenges of working with DNA further back in time, but how adding additional test takers helps with that challenge. Transcript Nicole (1s): This is research Like a Pro episode 221 Autosomal DNA Coverage part two. Welcome to...

RLP 220: Autosomal DNA Coverage – Part 1

Sep 26, 2022

Today’s episode of Research Like a Pro is about autosomal DNA coverage. We define the term, discuss why it’s important, and share examples and formulas. Learn how you can find more relevant DNA matches when you include additional test takers who descend through unique child lines. Transcript Nicole (1s): This is Research Like a Pro episode 220 Autosomal DNA coverage, part one. Welcome to Research Like a Pro a Genealogy Podcast about taking your research...

How Multiple Relationships Affect DNA Match Analysis

Sep 24, 2022

Do you have DNA matches that seem to belong in multiple genetic networks? Are you nervous that you’re seeing pedigree collapse or endogamy? Before you despair, realize that this phenomenon could be due to DNA matches sharing more than one common ancestral couple with each other, or what’s often called “multiple relationships.” In Diana’s post, Endogamy, Pedigree Collapse, and Multiple Relationships: What’s the Difference and Why Does it Matter, she talked briefly about multiple relationships...