DNA Painter, a DNA analysis tool created by Jonny Perl, was the well-deserved winner of the 2018 RootsTech DNA Innovation Contest. Jonny’s creation effectively meets key needs for genealogists as they engage in genetic analysis and interpretation.Evaluating Amounts of Shared DNAOne of the first approaches employed by genealogists in genetic analysis is evaluation of shared DNA between known and unknown genetic cousins. Some amounts of shared DNA are more likely for certain levels of … [Read more...]
Right Person, Right Place, Right Time: Documenting the Unknown in your DNA Test Results
Resources to help you in documenting the unknown in your DNA test results.Each DNA testing company warns that DNA testing can reveal surprises and previously unknown information about your family. In fact, customers of these databases make unexpected discoveries every day. These discoveries can be distressing and traumatic but might also be exciting and compelling. As you navigate the emotions and reactions of this experience, we recommend reviewing this list of resources to help. In other … [Read more...]
Covering Your Bases: Introduction to Autosomal DNA Coverage
“Why does my sister have different ethnicity percentages than I do?” “Why does my brother have different genetic cousins than I do?” “If we have the same parents, then shouldn’t we have the same ethnicity or the same relatives?” If you have had these questions regarding your DNA test results, you are not alone! These are some of the most common questions about genetic genealogy tests that we receive from our clients and our readers. If you have these questions, it also indicates that you are … [Read more...]
Developing a DNA Testing Plan
You have taken your DNA test, and you have your ethnicity estimate, but how does genetic genealogy testing actually help you with your genealogy? Where do you even begin? By developing a DNA testing plan you can ensure that you pursue your research with a focused goal in mind, which will help determine how best to proceed.Even though ethnicity estimates get a great deal of attention, the most genealogically valuable element of your DNA test results is the match list which connects you to … [Read more...]
Beginner’s Guide to Swedish Genealogy Research
“Ole Olsson was the son of Ole Nilsson who was the son of Nils Pehrrson. Their names change every generation and it is so hard to trace them! Plus, I don’t really understand all that Swedish.”Foreign language obstacles and patronymic naming patterns are commonly cited reasons for avoiding Swedish genealogy research. However, despite these unique considerations, other elements of Swedish records and research make Swedish genealogy research simple, fun, and frequently successful. Particularly in … [Read more...]
Spanish and Portuguese Citizenship for Sephardic Jews
Spanish and Portuguese Citizenship for Sephardic JewsWithin the last three years, Spain and Portugal have begun to offer citizenship to the descendants of Sephardic Jews who were exiled during the religious persecutions of the late 15th century. As a result of these new laws, we’ve received many requests for research into possible Sephardic ancestry. We are happy to assist in these research efforts, but before pursuing possible Sephardic connections it is important to understand the … [Read more...]
Going Beyond Ethnicity Estimates in DNA Testing
As a specialist in genetic genealogy, one of the most frequent topics I address in my conversation with others is ethnicity estimates. Someone might say something like: “I’m not really sure how much to trust those genetic tests since my grandmother was Italian, and I only came back with 15% Italian in my results. If they can’t even get the ethnicity right, then what use are they?”In reality, there are two parts of genetic genealogy test results: ethnicity admixture and genetic matches. … [Read more...]
Pursuing a Career in Genetic Genealogy
Pursuing a career in genetic genealogy was a path I largely had to forge myself. Today I share what I've learned, what I would do differently, and advice for those interested in pursuing a similar career path. Person I just met: “What do you do for work?”Me: "I’m a genetic genealogist.”Person I just met: “Wow! I didn’t even know that job existed. How did you get into that?”I probably have this same conversation (or variations on the same theme) every other day. Since … [Read more...]
Before It’s Too Late: DNA Testing Older Relatives NOW
As genealogists we have been encouraged to treat DNA as we would other genealogical records. We are invited to incorporate DNA tests and DNA results as part of proof arguments, we are urged to properly cite DNA evidence and discuss it, analyze it and draw conclusions with it in conjunction with other genealogical records. Increasingly, DNA evidence is becoming part of reasonably exhaustive research under the requirements of the Genealogical Proof Standard. While we have seen major progress in … [Read more...]
Dealing with Endogamy, Part II: Test Multiple Relatives
In a recent blog post, Dealing with Endogamy: Part I, we explored the unique challenges of interpreting autosomal DNA test results for individuals from endogamous populations. Endogamy is the custom of marrying only within the limits of a local community, clan, or tribe over the course of many generations. Pedigree collapse, a related concept, occurs when two related individuals produce offspring. As a result, the number of unique individuals occupying locations in a pedigree … [Read more...]
