Today’s episode of Research Like a Pro is about the DNA Standards in the Board for Certification of Genealogist’s Genealogy Standards manual. These DNA standards were added in 2019 as part of the second edition of Genealogy Standards. We discuss some applications of the DNA standards to our own work and ideas for how to meet them. Links How to Write and Publish a Proof Argument with DNA Evidence by Nicole at Family Locket Genealogy Research in the 21st Century Part 4: Learning to Use DNA and Standards by Nicole at Family Locket Genealogy Standards – book by the Board...
Today’s episode of Research Like a Pro is about writing a DNA proof argument. First we discuss three types of proofs: proof statements, proof summaries, and proof arguments. Then we talk about how to organize a proof argument that includes DNA evidence. We discuss figures and tables and how to include numerical data. Join us as we discuss how to write DNA proof arguments! Links How to Write and Publish a Proof Argument with DNA Evidence by Nicole DNA Case Studies in the NGSQ – Google Sheets Document RLP 125: Privacy and Permission in DNA Report Writing Mastering Genealogical Proof...
Today’s episode of Research Like a Pro is about asking permission from living individuals in your DNA reports and proof arguments to include them in your paper. We also discuss different types of sharing – private sharing and publication – and what permissions you may need to request. We talk about privatizing living individuals by removing personally identifying details, in case your message to request permission goes unanswered. Links How to Prepare DNA Research Reports for Sharing Privatizing DNA Research Reports for Publication DNA Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) – at the Board for Certification of Genealogists’ website Research Like a...
Are you wondering how to tell if an AncestryDNA Thrulines estimate is reliable, or even possible? The Thrulines algorithm works by comparing your DNA matches, their trees, and all the searchable trees in the Ancestry public member tree database. If the algorithm can make your tree and your DNA match’s tree connect somewhere, the hypothesis shows up in Thrulines. One problem with this is the many errors in the public member trees database. Also, Thrulines is a computer algorithm, not a genealogist. Sometimes it merges identities that should not be merged. Also, most of us have thousands of matches in...
It’s exciting to have new DNA analysis tools continually developed by amazingly smart and creative people! Hybrid AutoSegment is a brand-new 3rd-party DNA tool from Genetic Affairs. This tool gathers DNA segment data from 23andMe, Family Tree DNA, My Heritage, and GEDmatch together in one report. Having the segment information all in one place streamlines the process of examining, analyzing, and figuring out which of our DNA segments we inherited from specific ancestors. Now, we don’t have to compare segment data between computer files or manually import the data from different testing companies into one massive spreadsheet. Some DNA Basics...
Are you up for an adventurous foray into DNA segment data and ready to use some programs to understand it, analyze it, and use it in your Family History research? Let’s go! You may have already read some Family Locket blog posts about using DNA segment data. The Chromosome Browser: A Tool for Visualizing Segment Data by Nicole, explains how to use chromosome browsers to visualize the DNA that you share with your DNA matches and triangulate shared autosomal DNA segments. Segment Triangulation: Proving an Ancestral Line, by Diana, explains how to use MyHeritage segments to confirm a set of...
Have you thought about the steps to take to work through a DNA research project? Have you ever been stuck or lost during a project and wondered what you should do next? What do you do? I’ve thought about it a lot, and it motivated me to create DNA Process Trees that have a stepwise model/instructions/flowchart of the main steps to take when working through a DNA research objective. The steps help me maximize the research time I have available. Use coupon code DNAProcess25 to get 25% off the charts until 10/3/20 I have also added some logistical steps...
Imagine starting on a brand-new research project with DNA matches and an unfamiliar family tree. You want to get the most out of your precious research time and efficiently organize the DNA matches so you can focus on the family line(s) of interest. – What do you do first? – What’s the most effective method? Great questions! Try the methods outlined below to get started efficiently and effectively. Make a Leeds Method chart Spend 10-20 minutes creating a Leeds Method DNA Color Cluster chart. This will help you become familiar with the groups and identify the family lines to focus...
Many Americans have been told by relatives that they have Native American ancestry and want to find out if the story is accurate. DNA testing has the capability to help people determine if they inherited any DNA from Native American ancestors. At RootsTech 2020, I attended a class taught by DNA expert Roberta Estes entitled “Native American DNA: Confirming Those Stories.” I am sharing some of the helpful information from Roberta’s class and including links to her website, DNAeXplained, for more information. Her lecture was my favorite class from Rootstech 2020 because she has so much experience about this topic...
Today’s episode of Research Like a Pro is an interview with Libby Copeland, author of the new book The Lost Family: How DNA Testing is Upending Who We Are. We discuss some of the main themes in the book, from ethnicity estimates, the history of genetic genealogy, the use of DNA to solve cold cases, and surprises that come from testing. Libby also shares her own experience with genealogy and DNA testing. Links Link to purchase the book on Amazon: The Lost Family: How DNA Testing Is Upending Who We Are (This is an affiliate link. If you make a...
