When we work with DNA in our family history research, one of the first steps is to separate the DNA matches into groups or genetic networks. The Leeds Method by Dana Leeds was developed a few years ago as a way to separate DNA matches manually. This method was revolutionary in genetic genealogy! Evert-Jan Blom of Genetic Affairs was the first to create a readily available way of automating separating DNA matches into groups. This process is easy to order, and it takes only minutes to receive an interactive report. Genetic Affairs licensed the AutoCluster tool to MyHeritage and GEDmatch....
We share ancestors with every one of our DNA matches. Sometimes, we can identify the exact shared ancestor(s) without much effort. Other times, we need to put in more time and energy to discover the ancestral connection. A lot of our time working with our DNA matches involves building family trees or seeing where a previously made family tree intersects with ours. Family tree building by researching ancestors back in time is the primary effort made by amateur, intermediate, and advanced genealogists. We use DNA information in addition to documentary research to build family trees. Tracing the ancestors shared with...
When you hear the words “Forensic Genealogy,” what is the first definition you think of? One of my first thoughts is “DNA and documentary research.” Using DNA to solve unknown parentage cases is one of my areas of focus as a genealogist, and it is a significant aspect of Forensic Genealogy. I recently had the great opportunity to take the virtual Beyond Fundamentals: Hands-on Forensic Genealogy course at the Genealogical Research Institute of Pittsburgh (GRIP). The pre-requisite for this course was Fundamentals of Forensic Genealogy, which I took in Pittsburgh in 2018. There was a fantastic team of instructors! Catherine...
Today’s episode of Research Like a Pro is the second half of our discussion about Nicole’s proof argument for Barsheba Tharp’s father. Join us as we discuss the documentary and DNA evidence that went into making the case for Barsheba’s father. The DNA evidence seemed to point to one of Lewis Tharp’s wives as the mother, but correct interpretation of that DNA evidence led another way. Transcript The following transcript was automatically generated by PodScribe. Links RLP 154: Barsheba Tharp DNA Case Study Part 1 – https://familylocket.com/rlp-154-barsheba-tharp-dna-case-study-part-1/ Color-Coding Ancestry DNA Matches – Alice Childs’ colored dots blog post – https://alicechilds.com/color-coding-ancestry-dna-matches/...
Today’s episode of Research Like a Pro is about Nicole’s proof argument for Barsheba Tharp’s father. Join us as we discuss the documentary and DNA evidence that went into making the case for Barsheba’s father. Several Tharp men lived in Hawkins County, Tennessee in 1830 and 1840 – so which one was the right man? Auto Transcript Links Who was the Father of Barsheba Tharp? – Proof Argument and Supplementary Material by Nicole – https://familylocket.com/barsheba-tharp-proof-argument/ How to Write and Publish a Proof Argument with DNA Evidence – by Nicole – https://familylocket.com/how-to-write-and-publish-a-proof-argument-with-dna-evidence/ Research Like a Pro eCourse – https://familylocket.com/product/research-like-a-pro-e-course/ Study Group...
If you’re like me and overwhelmed by DNA and this new wealth of information for genealogists, I am going through my experience with the Research Like a Pro with DNA e-course to help those looking for a way to get started! This is the sixth post in the series. In the fifth step of the RLP with DNA process, Locality Research and Ethnicity, I began the research phase of my project by learning about different localities pertaining to my project. Now, it is time to learn about the different tools and methodology I can use in my research with the...
In recent years DNA has become an amazing tool for helping solve our genealogical brick walls. For example in Part 5 of this series the fact that Burkhard Schlag’s descendants were fairly close DNA matches to his FAN club’s (i.e. nieces and nephews) descendant’s, provided important clues for tracing Burkhard’s parents. However using DNA with recent German ancestors may be more challenging than with some other communities. Germans may have an advantage with their church records and other documentary evidence, but may be somewhat at a disadvantage when it comes to using ethnicity and DNA. What do we need to...
DNA Day is coming up on Sunday, 25 April 2021. This day celebrates the anniversary of the Human Genome Project completion and the day the journal article was published by Watson and Crick that described the structure of DNA. Find a list of some fun and educational activities and resources to learn more about DNA on the CDC Genomics and Precision Health web page https://www.cdc.gov/genomics/events/dna_day.htm The DNA Day Escape Room Challenge looks like fun! The National Human Genome Research Institute has another list of activities. https://www.genome.gov/dna-day/events https://www.genome.gov/dna-day/get-activity-ideas Find more activities to celebrate DNA Day: https://www.genome.gov/dna-day/celebrate Some of my...
If the descriptive relationship terms full or half are unfamiliar to you or find it a challenge to describe relationships, this blog post may help you. Figuring out the exact relationship you share with a DNA match can be challenging at times. When the relationship is a “half” relationship, it can be even more tricky. The amount of shared DNA between two matches doesn’t directly indicate whether a relationship is full or half. Traditional documentary research is needed to definitively discern if a relationship is full or half. It’s all about the common ancestor It is essential to understand and...
Do you have your DNA results on 23andMe and would like to use Ancestry’s tree-building capabilities to make connections and discoveries? If so, this article will provide ideas of how to work with the matches to get the best results for your DNA analysis. 23andMe provides haplogroups and X-DNA matches for autosomal testing which can help in identifying whether a DNA match is on the maternal or the paternal line. Fran Shockley, the Family Story Sleuth offers her organizational method in this guest post. Enjoy! By Fran Shockley I just finished listening to The Research Like a Pro Podcast Episode...
