Legacy Tree Genealogists’ Gretchen Jorgensen is a Research Teams Manager and specializes in genetic genealogy and DNA analysis. In this article, she discusses the impact of technology on genealogy with a particular focus on photographs, access to records, and DNA. Technological advances impact many facets of modern life, and genealogy is no exception. What has been considered traditional genealogy is changing dramatically, and technological advances are helping family history work become … [Read more...]
The Who, What, When, Where, Why, and How of Y-DNA Testing
DNA testing for genealogy offers the opportunity to confirm an expected lineage, and in many cases, make incredible discoveries that could not be made any other way. Many genealogists are focused on autosomal DNA testing. However, Y-DNA testing also provides great genealogical value, and while more limited in scope, it can be a tremendous aid in breaking through more distant genealogical brick walls. Early Y-DNA tests had very limited coverage accompanied by a high price tag. The testing … [Read more...]
Using AncestryDNA’s ThruLines to Further Your Genealogy Research
Have you heard about ThruLines? One of our genealogists shares how to use this tool to extend your family tree. For many years, I’ve worked on building a large family tree. I always was interested in knowing who my second, third, and fourth cousins were, even though I might never have the opportunity to meet them. As a kid, I wondered if any of my classmates were somehow related to me. Turns out that some of them were. (Hi, Cuz’n Todd!) When I received my AncestryDNA results in late 2015, I … [Read more...]
Understanding Your AncestryDNA Matches
Your AncestryDNA results are in. Maybe you’ve always been interested in genealogy, or perhaps you received the test as a gift, and really have no idea what to expect. There is a learning curve to understand DNA test results, even for seasoned genealogists. AncestryDNA’s test is an autosomal DNA test, which looks at chromosomes 1-22 and the X-chromosome and provides information about many relationships and ancestors from both paternal and maternal ancestral lines. This post focuses on … [Read more...]